The City of Toronto’s Identify ‘N Impact (INI) Grant Program provides funding supports for youth-led initiatives in Toronto.
The purpose of the Identify ‘N Impact Grant Program is to:
MVP youth definition: The Toronto Youth Equity Strategy (TYES) recognizes that there are various and intersecting factors that affect youth’s resilience and vulnerability to involvement in serious violence and crime. The term MVP youth (Most Vulnerable People) is used to describe youth who face multiple and/or intersecting vulnerabilities identified in the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services’ Roots of Youth Violence report. These roots include poverty, racism, community design, issues in the education system, family issues, health/mental health, lack of economic opportunity and issues in the justice system. Through the City’s work on gender-based youth violence, ability, homophobia, transphobia, and community violence exposure, these have also been added as roots of youth vulnerability.
The grant supports a by-youth-for-youth approach and projects that address issues outlined in the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy(TYES).
All projects must support one or more of the following TYES priorities:
Project proposals will be given priority if they:
INI was developed to support emerging (new, small, grassroots) youth-led groups. Your group is eligible to apply if it:
For the INI grant program, a group is considered “youth-led” if the following criteria are met:
Youth-led groups that are not incorporated and do not have audited financial statements can still apply for INI funding. If recommended for funding, your group will work with an Organizational Mentor (OM), also referred to as a trustee or administrative partner. Groups will be provided with a list of potential Organizational Mentors to choose from. Funded groups are also able to work with an existing trustee if the City of Toronto’s trusteeship requirements are met.
Organizational Mentor (also referred to as a trustee or administrative partner)
Qualified OMs are incorporated non-profit or charitable organizations with recent audited financial statements.
The deadline to submit your online application is Thursday October 6, 2022 by noon. Late applications will not be considered.
Download the application package below:
Note: Only one application per group is permitted.
Groups are able to apply for up to $17,000 per project as follows:
Project Costs: $15,000 for youth to lead and deliver projects up to one year in length.
Capacity Building: $2,000 will be provided to groups that express a need for capacity building supports such as training and mentorship.
Accessibility Costs: $2,000 in additional funds may be made available for projects involving Deaf youth leaders / participants and youth leaders / participants with disabilities. These funds may be used to support the youth leading the project and/or youth participants.
To apply for these additional funds, applicants must complete extra questions in the grant application form.
Please note: It is not guaranteed these accessibility funds will be approved even if the project grant is successful. If these funds are approved and unused, they must be returned to the City of Toronto.
“I am extremely grateful and honoured to have been an Identify ‘N Impact grant recipient, as Rise In STEM would not be where it is today without this initial funding opportunity. The INI program allowed us to pilot our very first after school STEM program and introduced us to our organizational mentor who continues to support us to strengthen and scale our work. It allowed us to see what we were capable of, provide leadership opportunities to youth, and propelled us to see the importance and impact of our work. “
– Irene Duah-Kessie, Rise In Stem, Identify ‘N Impact (INI) Grant Recipient 2019
These sessions will explore the basics of preparing a grant application for the upcoming INI deadline. The sessions will break down the main components of the application, including the proposal, work plan and budget. Tips will be provided for creating a clear and concise application. Registration is not required.
Information Session / Grant Writing Session #1
Wednesday September 14, 2022, 6 – 8 p.m.
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter pR4EwSGsS79 and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Information Session / Grant Writing Session #2
Thursday September 22, 2022, 6 – 8 p.m.
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter UPawi6EWS83 and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
These virtual meetings are an opportunity for applicants to meet one-on-one with staff to receive feedback on application ideas, support with planning out projects, and feedback on draft applications.
Monday September 19, 1 – 3 p.m.
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter TmBKRMx2W25 and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Thursday September 22, 10 a.m. – Noon
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter UPawi6EWS83 and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Monday September 26, 1 – 3 p.m.
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter XSn8AWPuf39 and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Wednesday September 28, 5 – 7 p.m.
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter xw3CXh and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Monday October 3, 1 – 3 p.m.
Note: If requested, please enter your name and email address. If a password is required, enter ctSWjrfd524 and click join. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Please contact the following staff to book a separate time to meet virtually or by phone:
Said Abdi, Youth Development Unit: Said.Abdi@toronto.ca
Shahina Sayani, Community Funding Unit: Shahina.Sayani@toronto.ca
The applications will be reviewed by a panel of youth and youth sector leaders and they will make the INI grant recommendations for approval. You will find out the outcome of your application by November 30, 2022.