Youth Cultural Incubators Stabilization Initiative

Applications are currently open for the funding cycle running from 2026 to 2028.

The Youth Cultural Incubators Stabilization Initiative (YCISI) strengthens the capacity of Toronto’s youth-led and youth-serving arts and culture organizations. Through funding, organizational mentorship, workshops and Cohort Learning and Networking sessions, YCISI builds sustainability, encourages collaboration and growth and fosters leadership within the youth arts sector.

Not-for-profit arts and culture organizations can apply to the mentor funding stream. Collectives and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply to the mentee stream. Please review the funding eligibility requirements for more details.

Not-for-profit arts and culture organizations may apply to receive between $10,000 to $12,000 in funding for three consecutive years to support their role as an organizational mentor. Applications and publicly available organization information are reviewed by City grant staff and a peer advisory panel. Funding is contingent upon completing interim and final reports and delivering on objectives that are set out annually.

Eligible Organizations

Organizations must meet the following requirements to be eligible for consideration as a mentor:

  • Be a not-for-profit arts and culture organization. Preference may be given to organizations that are youth-serving.
  • Have been in operation for a minimum of seven years
  • Are based in Toronto and provide programming and/or services to local residents
  • Have a demonstrated track record and capacity to provide mentorship for three consecutive years to mentee organizations in areas that may include: Board development/governance, strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, HR systems and processes, policy development, fine-tuning program delivery models, succession planning, evaluation, etc.
  • Must be able to commit to one senior team member engaging in monthly mentoring sessions (three to five hours/month) with mentee organization (this could look like one-on-one sessions, or may be a presentation for members of the mentee organization’s team focused on a particular subject, etc.)
  • Must be able to commit to participating in quarterly Cohort Networking & Learning Sessions
      • Must be in good standing with the City of Toronto

      Previous YCISI funding recipients may apply for the Mentor Organization Stream.

      Submitting a Budget

      Interested applicants are required to submit a budget outlining how the YCISI funding will support their mentorship role. Please refer to the eligible and ineligible expenses lists below:

      Eligible Expenses

      • Hiring external consultants and/or coaches to provide expertise on capacity-building or mentorship initiatives including organizational or administrative development, revenue development, strategic planning, Board development, evaluation methodologies, etc.
      • Professional development fees to attend workshops or training sessions
      • Staff time related to capacity-building and/or mentorship activities and initiatives
      • Public consultations related to programs and services
      • Software to enhance sustainability (i.e., accounting programs, evaluation, database software, etc.)

      Ineligible Expenses

      • Capital costs (i.e., computers, printers and technology equipment, office equipment and furniture and facility and technical equipment, and site upgrades)
      • Office space rent
      • Support for ongoing programming

      How to Apply

      Contact Senior Arts Development Coordinator Andrea Raymond-Wong at Andrea.Raymond-Wong@toronto.ca to learn more about the funding opportunity and discuss your capacity-building goals.

      Then, complete an online application below. If alternate application formats are needed, please contact Andrea Raymond-Wong.

      There is a rolling deadline with submission closing on September 18 at 2 p.m. and on October 16 at 2 p.m.

      Apply Online

      Evaluation Process

      Applications will be reviewed by a Peer Advisory Panel and City grant staff. Mentor organizations will be assessed based on their previous experience mentoring, knowledge of fundraising, grant writing, governance, strategic planning and other areas of capacity-building focus. Organizations are paired based on mentor organization expertise and mentee organization learning goals and need. If the application is conditionally approved, you may be contacted to provide additional organizational information. 

      Contact

      For further information on YCISI Mentor Organization Stream, please email Andrea.Raymond-Wong@toronto.ca or call 416-338-1469.

      Youth-led and youth-serving organizations can apply to receive between $45,000 to $55,000 of funding for three consecutive years to support growth and capacity-building. Applications and publicly available organization information are reviewed by a peer advisory panel. Funding is contingent upon completing interim and final reports.

      Eligible Organizations

      Organizations must meet the following requirements to be eligible for consideration as a mentee:

      • Be a not-for-profit arts and culture organization or collective. Collectives will be required to work with a trustee.
      • Are youth-led or youth-serving, meaning the primary focus of organization is youth engagement, youth programming, or youth skill-building with a focus on providing programming or services to equity-deserving young people
      • Be based in Toronto and provide programming and/or services to local residents
      • Have been in operation for three to 10 years, or be able to demonstrate why the funding is needed at this time in the organization’s trajectory
      • Have an annual operating budget in a range of $150,000 to $750,000
      • Have demonstrated ability to take on a three-year commitment to building capacity in a range of areas that may include: Board development/governance, strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, HR systems and processes, policy development, fine-tuning program delivery models, succession planning, evaluation, etc.
      • Have the capacity to engage in a three consecutive year mentorship with an assigned mentor committing to a minimum of three to five hours per month on mentoring sessions and to attending quarterly Cohort Networking and Learning sessions.
      • Have an organizational mandate that helps advance the City of Toronto’s Culture Connects: An Action Plan for Culture in Toronto
      • Must be in good standing with the City of Toronto
      • Must not receive operating funding from the City of Toronto
      • Must not be a past recipient of YCISI funding

      Submitting a Budget

      Interested applicants must submit a budget outlining how the YCISI funding will support their capacity-building and sustainability goals. Please refer to the eligible and ineligible expenses lists below.

      Eligible Expenses

      • Hiring external consultants or coaches to provide expertise on capacity-building or mentorship initiatives including organizational/administrative development, revenue development, strategic planning, Board development, evaluation methodologies, etc.
      • Professional development fees to attend workshops or training sessions
      • Staff time related to capacity-building and/or mentorship activities and initiatives
      • Public consultations related to programs and services
      • Software to enhance sustainability (i.e., accounting programs, evaluation, database software, etc.)

      Ineligible Expenses

      • Capital costs (i.e., computers, printers and technology equipment, office equipment and furniture and facility and technical equipment, and site upgrades)
      • Office space rent
      • Support for ongoing programming

      How to Apply

      Contact Senior Arts Development Coordinator Andrea Raymond-Wong at Andrea.Raymond-Wong@toronto.ca to learn more about the funding opportunity and discuss your capacity-building goals.

      Then, complete an online application below. If alternate application formats are needed, please contact Andrea Raymond-Wong.

      The deadline to apply is October 8 at 2 p.m.

      Apply Online

      Evaluation Process

      Alternate application formats are available, please contact Andrea Raymond-Wong to learn more. Applications will be reviewed by a Peer Advisory Panel and City grant staff. Mentee organizations will be assessed based on organizational readiness and capacity-building goals and focus. Organizations are paired based on mentor organization expertise and mentee organization learning goals and needs.

      Contact

      For further information on YCISI Mentee Organization Stream, please email Andrea.Raymond-Wong@toronto.ca or call 416-338-1469.

      Date modified: August 31, 2026