Submit Applications for Youth in Action Grants Program (Canada)

Deadline: 15-Oct-2026

The Youth in Action Grant Program supports young leaders in Southwestern Alberta by providing funding for youth-led projects that create positive community change and strengthen leadership skills. Eligible applicants can request up to $2,000 for new initiatives developed and led by young residents aged 25 or younger. Projects must be initiated, led, and organized by youth in Southwestern Alberta in partnership with a Canada Revenue Agency-registered charity, school, or municipality that will administer the grant. Applications are accepted once a year, with only one application considered per school. Projects involving direct religious or partisan political activity, individual benefits, travel expenses, honoraria, completed activities, fundraising campaigns, or activities that redirect funds outside Southwestern Alberta are not eligible. What Is the Youth in Action Grant Program? The Youth in Action Grant Program is designed to empower young people in Southwestern Alberta to take an active role in improving their communities. The program supports youth-led initiatives that create positive local change while giving young people practical experience in: - Leadership - Philanthropy - Community engagement - Project development - Community service - Decision-making The program encourages young residents to identify community needs, develop solutions, and take responsibility for organizing projects. What Does the Grant Program Aim to Achieve? The program has two closely connected goals: supporting communities and developing young leaders. By giving youth responsibility for designing and implementing community projects, the program provides practical opportunities to develop leadership skills. Youth participants can gain experience in areas such as: - Identifying community needs - Planning projects - Managing resources - Working with community organizations - Engaging local residents - Implementing initiatives - Understanding philanthropy - Creating positive community outcomes How Much Funding Is Available? Applicants may request up to $2,000 per project. The funding must be used for a new initiative. The grant is not intended to replace funding for an existing program or service. Applicants should therefore clearly explain what is new about the proposed project and why grant funding is needed to implement it. Who Can Apply? Projects must be initiated, led, and organized by residents of Southwestern Alberta who are 25 years of age or younger. Youth leadership is a central requirement of the program. The project should therefore be genuinely youth-led rather than simply being an existing organization-led activity with young people participating. Required Community Partner Youth applicants must work in partnership with one of the following: - A Canada Revenue Agency-registered charity - A school - A municipality The partner organization will administer the grant on behalf of the youth-led project. This partnership provides the administrative structure needed to receive and manage the grant while allowing young people to remain responsible for developing and leading the initiative. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The program supports youth-led projects that: - Benefit the local community - Create positive community change - Provide opportunities for youth leadership - Encourage community engagement - Give young people hands-on experience in philanthropy - Address a community need in Southwestern Alberta Applicants should clearly explain the community issue they want to address and how their new project will create a positive local impact. New Initiatives Requirement A key requirement is that grant funding must support a new initiative. Existing programs or services are not eligible for funding. Applicants should clearly distinguish the proposed project from any ongoing activities of their school, charity, municipality, or community organization.

The proposal should explain:

- What is new about the project. - Why the initiative is needed. - Who will benefit. - How youth will lead and organize the project. - How the requested funds will be used. Geographic Eligibility The Youth in Action Grant Program is specifically focused on Southwestern Alberta. The project should benefit the local community in the eligible region. Grant funds cannot be redirected outside Southwestern Alberta. Applicants should therefore ensure that project activities and benefits remain focused on the program’s geographic area. Application Frequency Applications are accepted once per year. Because the program has an annual application cycle, prospective applicants should prepare their project concept, partner arrangement, budget, and supporting information in advance. One Application Per School Only one application per school will be considered. Schools interested in supporting multiple youth-led ideas should therefore determine which project will be submitted for consideration. Youth applicants should coordinate with their school where necessary to ensure that the school does not submit multiple applications that could conflict with this restriction. Projects That Are Not Eligible Certain activities are specifically excluded from the program. Direct Religious Activity Projects involving direct religious activity are not eligible.

Partisan Political Activity

Projects involving direct partisan political activity are not eligible. Direct Benefits to Individuals Projects that directly benefit an individual are not eligible. For example, a scholarship for an individual would not qualify. The program is intended to support broader community benefits rather than providing direct financial assistance to a particular person. Travel Expenses Travel expenses are not eligible for funding. Applicants should ensure that their project budget does not depend on grant funding for travel. Honoraria Honoraria are not eligible expenses. Youth applicants should structure project budgets around eligible project activitie