Local Leadership Grant

About the Local Leadership Grant

The Local Leadership Grant is open to resident-led groups across the City of Toronto. The grant prioritizes the leadership and participation of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Metis), African, Caribbean, Black and other equity-deserving groups within Neighbourhood Improvement Areas, Emerging Neighbourhoods, and communities of focus. For more information, please refer to  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Local Leadership Grant (LLG) supports place-based, resident-led projects that focus on the five domains of TSNS:

• • Economic Opportunities (i.e. jobs skills workshop, certification workshop, employment forum)
  • Healthy Lives (i.e.  nutrition workshop, wellness day, gardening event)
  • Participation in Civic Decision-Making (i.e. community speak out event, leadership training, civic action forum)
  • Physical Surroundings (i.e. community beautification event, neighbourhood walking tour, community art event)
  • Social Development. (i.e. educational workshop/forum, back to school event, neighbourhood festival)

What is the funding time frame?

• • Grant Opens October 19, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
  • Grant Closes December 11, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
  • Activities Timeline May 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027
  • Financial Reporting December 31, 2027 and final report is due January 31, 2028

Please note, funded activities should be designed as one-time events and completed within a six-week period. A complete financial reconciliation will also be needed at the completion of your funded activities.

New Changes to Local Leadership Grant

Grant Acceptance Period: Due to the high volume of applicants and to ensure all available grant funding is allocated, groups that have been approved for the Local Leadership Grant will have up to 2 weeks to accept the grant offer. If no response is received within this period, the grant offer will be withdrawn and awarded to another group.

 

Group Eligibility

The Local Leadership Grant aims to support community-led activities by resident-led groups in neighbourhoods across Toronto. To be eligible, applicants and projects must meet all the following criteria.

1. To apply, you must be part of a resident-led group with at least three members who do not reside in the same household. All group members must live in different households and be residents of Toronto.
2. The Group Lead must reside in Toronto and within the Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) District for which the group is applying. To determine which TSNS District you live in, visit the Community Council Area Profiles – City of Toronto Map or Find your Neighbourhood Map
3. Group projects must offer community-based activities that demonstrate alignment with one of the the five domains (i.e., economic opportunities, healthy lives, participation in decision making, physical surroundings, and social development) of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy.
4. The project proposed cannot be an existing program or service your group is currently providing. Considerations will be taken if you are applying to enhance your existing project by adding a new time limited activity. This can include adding new activities or workshops and/or redesigning the project to reach a new demographic. For example, redesigning a digital literacy workshop that was initially for youth but now updating it to be relevant and appliable to seniors. Expanding existing projects to new geographic areas are not eligible.
5. If you are serving food, one group member must have a Food Handler Certificate.
6. To be in good standing and eligible to receive a grant from the City of Toronto, all groups must comply with the Grants Policy. Your group must not be in debt with the City or be in default of terms and conditions of any agreement (including any previous grant agreement) with the City of Toronto
7. In order to apply for the Local Leadership Grant, your group must have a Toronto Grants, Rebates and Incentives Portal (TGRIP) Account. Visit TGRIP to register or see additional information in the TGRIP section. Applications will only be accepted through the TGRIP platform.

To be eligible for the 2027 Local Leadership Grant, previously funded groups must have completed their 2026 project activities, and all funds must have been fully utilized and reported in your final report in TGRIP. You are still able to submit an application; however, it will not be considered until we have received your  final report. The 2026 Local Leadership Final Report must be submitted by January 31, 2027.

Ineligible applicants include:

• • Groups with all members living in the same household
  • Groups with less than 3 members
  • Groups with less than 3 members who do not reside in Toronto.
  • Non-profit organizations, self-employed Individuals, registered businesses, for-profit businesses, landlord/tenant and condominium boards, corporations, political parties, social enterprises (including BIAs), staff of the City of Toronto, members of City of Toronto Council.
  • Grant-making organizations, industry, or trade associations
  • Sports Clubs, Provincial Sport Organizations (PSO) and Multi-Sport Organizations (MSO) and groups affiliated with a Recognized PSO or MSO
  • Organizations with mandates and activities covered under provincial or federal legislation such as schools and universities, day-cares, group homes, hospitals
  • Religious organizations with mandates that cannot show a clear separation between religious and community service functions.
  • Previously funded groups that have not submitted their completion report for the Local Leadership Grant

New Changes to the Local Leadership Grant

Priority for New Applicants: Priority will be given to applicants that have not previously received funding through the 2026 LLG. Applications from previously funded groups will be considered only after eligible new applicants have been prioritized.

Project Costs

Eligible Use of Funds

The following list outlines eligible costs:

• • Project costs and supplies (e.g., space rental, Interpretation and translation for events and communications)
  • Project Coordination to support planning, organizing, and implementing your project. Compensation for the project team can be a maximum of $1,500.
  • Compensation for Elders and honoraria for People with Lived/Living Experience and volunteers
  • Planning and development (e.g., trainings and certifications, team building retreats, group trainings, project monitoring and evaluation, or cost related to the delivery of your project)
  • Developing and supporting partnerships
  • Delivery materials and participant-related costs (e.g., childminding, transportation, small capital costs, sports officials/referees, sports related equipment cost, facility bookings/permits, honorarium for coaches,
  • Project equipment, such as art or office supplies for participants, is allowed. However, electronic equipment (e.g. computers, printers, phones, cameras) is not permitted.

Ineligible Use of Funds

The following list outlines ineligible costs:

Requests for the following purposes are NOT eligible for consideration.

• • Fundraising events
  • Subsidies for individuals (e.g., scholarships or educational bursaries)
  • Donations to charitable causes
  • Purchasing equipment for one-time use
  • Payment Membership fees or Subscriptions
  • Paying for individual sports-related training certifications or skill development (i.e. personal trainer sessions)Reserve Funds (e.g., dedicated savings funds set aside for future expenses or unexpected cost)
  • Infrastructure / capital projects (updating sports courts, outdoor equipment and/or modifications/enhancements to public/private spaces)
  • Debt repayment or deficit funding
  • Political or religious activities
  • Projects and activities outside of Toronto Unless specifically for Indigenous-based cultural activities outside of Toronto as per the City of Toronto Grants Policy
  • Major capital costs. Note: Contact City staff about any capital cost line items prior to submitting your budget request as major capital costs are not eligible for funding.

Should you have questions contact us at communityfunding@toronto.ca about any capital cost line items prior to submitting your budget request. Major capital costs are not eligible for funding. Minor capital expenses (e.g. equipment to support virtual activities, paint supplies for a beautification project) may be eligible, provided City approval and conditional on an incorporated non- profit owning the equipment after the project is completed)

Grant Priorities & Activities

Project activities must be related to at least one of the five domains of the Toronto Strong Neighbourhood Strategy. (TSNS)

Events/Activities must:

• • Be held within the geographic area of your Group Lead’s TSNS District
  • Be a one-time event or series of events that are completed within a six-week period
  • Be in person, free and open to Toronto Residents
  • Occur in a public and accessible space
  • Be held between May 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027

Project Events/ Activities cannot:

• • Have a cost to participate and/or have a fundraising component.
  • Be connected to a pre-existing agency or City-run or Not-For Profit program.
  • Be for sports clubs to train participants to compete at an elite level.
  • Be a reoccurring, established or annual project.
  • Be private or invitation only

New Changes to the Local Leadership Grant

TSNS Districts: TSNS has changed from “Community Networks” and now will be referred to as “Districts”. The Districts are grouped into 4 geographic areas in the City of Toronto, aligned with the 4 Community Council Areas: Etobicoke –York, North York, Toronto- East York, and Scarborough.

Permits: Permits are NOT required to be booked in advance to be eligible to apply for the LLG.  Groups are encouraged to contact the relevant community organization or visit Community/Recreation Centre Facility Bookings to inquire about the use of space and permit processing timelines,  as these timelines vary from 4-8 weeks to be approved. We encourage all applicants, if approved for the grant to give themselves enough time to apply for their permit.

How to Apply

Toronto Grants, Rebates and Incentives Portal (TGRIP) Account

If your group already has a TGRIP account, you can log into your TGRIP account to access the LLG grant application, found under “My Funding Opportunities”.  Please make sure to update your organizational profile if any information has changed since you last logged on.

If your group does not have a TGRIP account, you will need to sign-up / register your group on the Toronto Grants, Rebates and Incentives (TGRIP) Portal . Review the instructions on How to Register for a TGRIP Account   or watch the TGRIP video before you begin your applications.

If your group is a grassroots group or unincorporated non-profit, please select “community group” when registering your account for the first time and select “resident led-group” when completing the organization profile.

How do I complete and submit the organization profile if we do not have documents to upload (i.e. we are a youth-led grassroots or unincorporated non-profit group)?

• When setting up your organization profile in TGRIP, answer “Yes” to the question, “Is your group a resident-led group leading a project in your neighbourhood?”
• You do not need to sign and complete the Declaration of Compliance with Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Legislation & City Policy. This will need to be completed by groups once they are approved for funding. To bypass this step, click “Save”. Then log out and then log back on.

Finding the LLG application in TGRIP after I have registered an account and completed the organization profile

• Once you have completed registering and setting-up your organizational profile, log out and then log back in.
• Once you have logged back in you can then access the LLG application form by clicking on “My Funding Opportunities” and finding the LLG application listed there.

Note: Only one application per group is permitted. Only eligible and complete applications will be considered for funding.

2026 Grant Recipients

2026 Local Leadership Grant Recipients

Group Name	Project Name	TSNS Community Network
Nurturing Youth Excellence	Girls in Motion Academic & Athletic Leadership Development Program	Black Creek Downsview
Holistic Youth United	The Wellness Taster Experience	Black Creek Downsview
Painting 101	The Sheppard Youth Paint to Prosper	Black Creek Downsview
Safe Place	Nourish & Save	Black Creek Downsview
Jane Finch Neighbourhood African Groups	Outdoor Fan Fest Event: Celebration of Toronto 2026	Black Creek Downsview
KWH Youth Initiative	Ready, Set, Learn!	Black Creek Downsview
Bloomz Hub	Next Gen Creators	Black Creek Downsview
Green Liberty Village	Soccer Clinic and Wellness Eco Fair 2026	Downtown
Urban Workout Toronto	Community Calisthenics Day 2026	Downtown
My Ppls Ball Tournament	My Ppls Youth Mentorship	Downtown
Vitality Circle	Vitality Circle	Downtown
Happy Mom Happy Children Grassroot Group	She Scores 2026	Downtown
Art to Connect	Art to Connect	Downtown
St. James Town Residents Council	Connecting Urban Living to Ravine Life	Downtown
Zen in Colour	BIWOC Trauma Informed Facilitation Program	Downtown
Her Rhythm Rising	Rhythm &  Roots Regent Park Women's Dance Collective	Downtown
Mother's of Peace Regent Park	First Aid Mental Health	Downtown
Habesha Heritage Circle - Downtown	Habesha Heritage Circle	Downtown
Parkdale Housing Justice Network	Parkdale Tenant Power Month: Workshops, Clinics and Tenant Summit	Downtown
D-Way Youth Organization	D-way Inner City Youth Art Exhibit	Downtown
Asian Toronto Running Club	Asian Toronto Leadership Run: Empowering Community Through Movement	Downtown
Parkdale Residents Association	Pretty Vacant	Downtown
Seniors Cooking Collective	Seniors Cooking Collective	Downtown
3ES Grassroots Organization	Stories in Motion	Downtown
Happy Mom Happy Children	Healthy Eating Workshops	Downtown
BIPOC Queer Communal Market	BIPOC Queer Communal Market	Downtown
South Parkdale Good Neighbours	DunNation	Downtown
Humera's Community Hub	The Wellness on a Budget, Mind, Body & Empowerment Series	Downtown
Wellness & Resilience: A Self-Care Retreat for Corporate Women	Wellness & Resilience: A Self-Care Retreat for Corporate Women	Downtown
Regent Park Jewelry Craft for Seniors and Disability	Jewelry Craft for Seniors	Downtown
Liberation Fridays	Liberation Fridays	Downtown
Back on The Block	Back on The Block Community Block Party 10th Anniversary	Downtown
MDZ Productions	MDZ Film Showcase	Downtown
Woven Stories	Uncovering Our (Hi)Stories	Downtown
Alexandra Park Writer's Group	Alexandra Park Writer's Group	Downtown
Friends of Regent Park	Bake Oven Animator Champions	Downtown
Thorncliffe Youth Creators Collective	Thorncliffe Youth Creators Collective	Downtown
Canada Hiking and Travel Group	Walk, Move & Celebrate: A Community World Cup Wellness Series	Downtown
Engaged Communities	Flemingdon Soccer	East York Don Valley
Caring Group	Wellness in Bloom: Healing Hands & Rooted Hearts	East York Don Valley
Budding Artist	Art in the Gardens	East York Don Valley
Bridge & Bloom Project	Body Safety & Boundaries 101	East York Don Valley
Coalition of Women in Leadership	Women's Economic and Well-Being Forum: Pathway to Prosperity	East York Don Valley
The Friends of Leeward Glenway	The Greening of Leeward Glenway	East York Don Valley
Thorncliffe Youth Park Builders	Grow & Build Thorncliffe	East York Don Valley
Taylor-Massey & Oakridge Community Response Team (TMOCRT)	Mental Wellness for All	East York Don Valley
East Toronto Muslim - Jewish Youth Dialogue Group	East Toronto Muslim - Jewish Youth Dialogue Group	East York Don Valley
Golden Mile Tenants Association	StartSmart Lab - Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (Youth & Newcomers)	East York Don Valley
Mature Social Outreach	Mature Social Outreach	East York Don Valley
Ontario Integration Initiative	Neighbourhood Belonging Circles: Civic Mapping & Micro-Action Day	North Etobicoke
North Etobicoke Residents Council	Back to School Bonanza 2026	North Etobicoke
Scarlettwood Warriors for Change	Scarlettwood Summer Eco-Camp	North Etobicoke
Beta Youth Era Inc.	North Etobicoke Community Mental Health Capacity Project	North Etobicoke
North Etobicoke Wellness Collective	North Etobicoke Wellness Day: Rest, Restore & Reconnect in North Etobicoke	North Etobicoke
The Gardens Lakeshore	Community Urban Agriculture of South Etobicoke Food Security Leadership Program	North Etobicoke
Uplift Hoops Youth Academy	Court to Career	North Etobicoke
Page's & Prodigies	Page's & Prodigies	North Etobicoke
Power of Love Foundation Canada	We Move: Empowering Youth in Sports Leadership	North Etobicoke
Rise in STEM	STEM of Soccer Series	North Etobicoke
Beyond the Court Inc.	Beyond the Court: Resilience & Opportunity Initiative	North Etobicoke
Building Bridges by Breaking Barriers	Building Generational Bridges in Toronto's East African Community	South Etobicoke
Mimico Rugrats Associations	Mimico Rugrats Associations	South Etobicoke
The Gatehouse Garden Volunteers	The Gatehouse Community Garden Volunteers	South Etobicoke
Rainbows Pride in Scarborough (RPIS)	Scarborough Multicultural Art BBQ Festival	North Scarborough
Empowering Young Women	Healing in Colour: Youth Creative Wellness Symposium	North Scarborough
IMPACT Youth Gardening Leadership Group	Roots of Change: Youth Gardening & Leadership Initiative	North Scarborough
Confident Child	Brave Voices: Confidence & Public Speaking Workshop for Children	North Scarborough
AI for Everyone	AI for Everyone	North Scarborough
42 Voices	Malvern Resources & Cultural Tour	North Scarborough
My In Law	Willow Park Youth Active Leaders: 6 week Gymnastics Experience	North Scarborough
90 Minutes of More	Kick It 90 Toronto: Soccer Community Celebration	South Scarborough
Haitians of Toronto	Back-to-School Festival 2026	South Scarborough
Curran Hall and Morningside Good Neighbours	Curran Hall and Morningside Good Neighbours Festival	South Scarborough
MD-Student Community Youth Outreach	VITAL Health Futures Summit	South Scarborough
KGO Adult Literacy	The Learning Together Project	South Scarborough
Concern for Civility	Concern for Civility	South Scarborough
3k Run Club	The Scarborough North Unity Cup: Community Run Challenge & Wellness Festival	South Scarborough
MA Arts	Back to School with Music	South Scarborough
Mornelle-Morningside	Grow Box Initiative	South Scarborough
West Hill Employment Connect	West Hill & Mornell Community Day	South Scarborough
Scarborough Village Community Garden	Healthy Living in the Garden	South Scarborough
Dove Krib Social	Food for Wise	South Scarborough
Ionview Community Connections	Community Belonging Solutions Lab	South Scarborough
Prairie Drive Park Resident-led Group	Distribution of garden inputs, harvest festivals training and walkings	South Scarborough
The Commitment Program	In the Field 2026	North York
Community Health & Fitness Empowerment	Community Health & Fitness Empowerment	North York
Aimal Youafzai	Toronto Youth Cricket Tournament - One Month Weekend Program	North York
Repair Café Willowdale	Repair Café Willowdale Spring 2026	North York
Amir's Foundation	Amir Men's Support Group (AMSG)	North York
Farhad Arman	Empowerment Through Awareness: Community Workshops on Child Protection, Domestic Violence and Legal Rights	North York
Yoga Resilience & Community Wellness Through Yoga	Yoga Resilience & Community Wellness Through Yoga	North York
Hype Heights Youth Council	Lawrence Heights Basketball Showcase	North York
Trauma Informed	Family and Society Wellness Day: A Trauma-Informed Community Healing Initiative	North York
Lawrence Heights Community Garden	Lawrence Heights Community Garden	North York
Leeann Tanaah	Nourish 2 Flourish	North York
Mind of Strength	Steps for Change Run Club	North York
Sharing Table: Youth & Food Neighbourhood Connections	Sharing Table: Youth & Food Neighbourhood Connections	North York
Seniors Vietnamese Working Group	Seniors Exploring Nature & Healthy Living	York Weston Pelham
Breathe Easier	Breathe Easier - Build Your Own Air Cleaner	York Weston Pelham
Mending a Crack in the Sky	Rise to Heal	York Weston Pelham
Black Women Rise	Taboo Talks	York Weston Pelham
Bella Let's Talk	First to Make It: First Generation Wealth	York Weston Pelham
Humber River Pals	Humber River Pals	York Weston Pelham
Creative Commons Collective	Breath, Bloom and Belonging	York Weston Pelham
Lambton Park Garden	Lambton Park Community Medicine Garden	York Weston Pelham
Carleton Village Community Gardeners	Cross-Pollinating Davenport: Celebrating and Growing Community Connection	York Weston Pelham
Mobile Millionaires INC.	Women's Worth Summit	York Weston Pelham
Keelesdale Community Grassroot Group	3rd Annual Back to School Event	York Weston Pelham
End-of-Life & Grief Literary Collective	Exploring Mortality, Grief & Meaning	York Weston Pelham
Parents of Oakwood CI	Beats & Cleats Community Celebration	York Weston Pelham
Aunty Claudene Time	Seat & Fit Seniors	York Weston Pelham