Youth Climate Action Grants

Key Dates

Key Dates

• October 1, 2025: Request for Funding applications open

Apply

• October 31, 2025: Deadline to submit a Request for Funding application
• November 28, 2025: Full grant application deadline
• January 2026: Funding decisions announced
• June 2026: Completion of approved project (preferred)

Priority will be given to projects completed before the last day of the current school year; however we will consider applications for projects that will be completed within one year. 

Key dates are subject to change.

Who Can Apply

The Youth Climate Action Grants are open to all TDSB and TCDSB student-led groups consisting of two or more students from grades JK to 12. A TDSB or TCDSB staff member must serve as the project supervisor.

Eligible Applicants

Student-led groups, including:

• classroom projects
• school clubs and teams
• student councils
• student groups that partner with parent councils
• student-teacher collaborations

Ineligible Applicants

• individual students
• teachers (without student collaboration)
• multiple groups from the same classroom
• principals and vice-principals
• TDSB or TCDSB Facility Services, Administration and Trustees
• for-profit businesses
• grant making organizations
• TDSB or TCDSB approved vendors
• community organizations
• registered charitable organizations and/or non-profit environmental organizations
• school groups allied with political parties

Eligible Projects

Eligible Projects

Eligible grant projects must;

• be created and delivered by TDSB or TCDSB students
• satisfy an objective of the grant program:
  • educate and engage students, families and/or community members on climate change and climate actions; and/or
  • reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto
• take place within the boundaries of the city of Toronto
• follow TDSB or TCDSB rules, for example, using approved educational programming partners
• have TDSB or TCDSB permission, for example, permission to build a garden
• provide permission from the school Principal

Examples of eligible projects:

• activities that enhance the existing school curriculum 
• education campaigns (for example, waste reduction, energy conservation, active transportation) 
• repair events (e.g., bikes, clothing, electronics)
• exchange or swap events (e.g., clothing, books, toys, sports equipment)
• educational videos
• field trips specific to the grant objectives (must be a shared cost)
• guest speakers
• organize a community climate event
• repair events (for example, bikes, clothing, electronics) 
• social media campaigns
• sustainable transportation events (for example, bike rodeos, idle-free vehicle blitz)
• school ground revitalizations (for example, food gardens, outdoor classrooms)
  • TDSB school ground revitalization projects must first undergo a Viability Review by the TDSB. We will not consider any applications for school ground projects or activities that do not have TDSB approval.
• workshops, demonstrations and group activities provided by TDSB approved environmental partners

Ineligible Projects

Examples of projects the City will not fund include:

• Projects that are already fully complete (seeking retroactive funding)
• Beautification projects or infrastructure initiatives. Please visit the TCDSB Playground and Schoolyard Revitalization Fund webpage or the TDSB Revitalizing School Grounds webpage for further resources.
• Duplicate projects at the same school (i.e. two projects that share the same climate action concept at the same school)
• Pollinator gardens. Please visit the PollinateTO Grants webpage
• Projects or activities that are not consistent with or do not align with the goals of the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy
• School ground or outdoor projects that have not undergone a Viability Review by the TDSB

Application & Review Process

Step 1: Submit a request for funding

• Starting October 1, apply for grant funding using our quick and easy online application form.

Apply

• The application form asks you to share information about your group, school and your grant project idea, and only takes 5-10 minutes to complete.
• The main contact person (teacher or lead student) for the proposed project should complete the application.
• Secondary students are encouraged to submit their own applications with support and guidance from their TDSB or TCDSB project supervisor.
• Download a preview of the Request for Funding Form (please note, questions are subject to change). You can use this document to help plan, brainstorm and organize your project ideas and submission.
• If you have questions or requests for accessibility supports, accommodation and/or a different application format, please contact us. 

Step 2: Get feedback about your project idea

• City and school board staff will review Step 1 funding applications.
• Feedback will be provided by email.
• Additional guidance may be provided by phone or in-person, if required.
• Project idea is deemed eligible to proceed will be directed to Step 3 (this is not a guarantee of funding).

Step 3: Submit a full grant proposal

• Full grant proposals require a work plan, costed budget and other supporting documents.
• Feedback that was provided in Step 2, should be used to prepare your full proposal.
• Full grant proposals must be submitted before the deadline date.
• Funding decisions will be announced in January 2026.

Step 4: Application review and project approval

• Step 3 full grant proposals will undergo a technical review by Environment, Climate & Forestry Division staff to confirm all eligibility requirements have been met.
• Projects deemed eligible will then be assessed by a Review Committee comprised of staff from the City of Toronto and TDSB or TCDSB.
• The Review Committee is responsible for funding decisions.
• The Review Committee may ask for additional information to assist in the review, assessment and monitoring of your application.
• Successful grant recipients will be notified of the approved grant funding amounts. 
• Applicants that accept the funding offer will enter into an agreement with the TDSB or TCDSB. Additional information about the funding award process and the agreement will be provided at that time.
• Projects that are deemed not ready to proceed will be encouraged to reapply to a future grant application cycle.

Eligible Costs

Budgets cannot exceed $1,000. Funding can only be used for the direct delivery of the proposed project. If you are unsure if an expense is eligible, please contact us.

We encourage the hiring of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving staff, consultants, labourers, interpreters and translators, and encourage supporting local, Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving businesses for eligible purchases.

Type of Expense	Eligible Items
Materials/Tools/Equipment	project supplies – paper, pens, poster boards, markers, paint raw materials – wood, soil, screws rentals or small equipment purchases
Events/Workshops	speaker fees training supplies space rental or permit fees for event/activity space communications and promotion of events (e.g. flyers, posters, design, printing) food and refreshments (no bottled water) for participants (up to 25% of total grant request)
People/Labour	skilled labour (for example, hiring a contractor to build a garden box) (up to 25% of total grant request) professional consultant fees (for example, design, translation, communications) (up to 25% of total grant request) honouraria for voluntary services (for example, guest speakers or ceremonial duties) (up to 25% of total grant request) volunteer and participant expenses (for example, food, transit, personal protective equipment)
Education/Awareness Materials	signage books (subject to school board approval) instructional kits camera film

Type of Expense	Ineligible Items
Materials/Tools/Equipment	promotional items that could contribute to waste (for example, swag and buttons) rental/purchase of combustion engine vehicles (for example buses or taxis) or any other gas-powered equipment (for example, gas generators), and gasoline or any other fuels chicken wire, composters (TDSB) tablets and other electronics such as computers air conditioners, HEPA air filters or HVAC-related items
Events/Workshops	educational programming (for example, workshops, seminars, presentations) provided by organizations that have not been approved by the TDSB or TCDSB. catering, alcohol or cannabis fundraising drives pre-existing school projects and/or events (for example, annual fun fairs) disposable items (for example, single-use plastics, bottled water)
People/Labour	fees and expenses for memberships, conferences, travel, personal vehicle use and parking salaries, hourly wages and income-generating activities for staff/group members prizes and thank you gifts (e.g. gift cards) as a form of volunteer appreciation or compensation honoraria/stipends for non-approved roles disbursement of funds to provide additional grants, rebates, or incentives to other parties
Personal Benefits & Organizational Operating Costs	costs associated with the regular operation of your group or club, such as computer equipment, software, phones, internet, accounting services, insurance, utility bills etc. deliverables that will result in a significant increase in school board operating or capital costs (for example, air conditioners, HEPA air filters or HVAC-related items) religious activities/services, political activities, donations to charitable causes, lobbying or advocacy on behalf of for-profit entities routine maintenance, emergency repairs or major capital improvements (for example, cricket pitches, artificial turf, solar installations, playground renovations) paid advertising campaigns in newspapers, etc.
Outdoor Activities	beautification, maintenance or landscaping repairs (for example, ornamental gardens, pathways) playgrounds, furnishings, fencing, armour stone, water-bottle refilling stations pollinator gardens (for example, plants, garden materials and supplies), visit PollinateTO Grants tree or shrub planting, visit Urban Forestry Grants & Incentives for funding opportunities ecological stewardship, such as removal of invasive species litter cleanups and tools, visit Clean Toronto Together for support outdoor composting projects
Other	projects already approved for funding, including those funded by other City of Toronto grant programs research or scientific studies unspecified “miscellaneous” items

Reporting Requirements

Upon project completion, grant recipients must submit the following;

1. Final Report: We want to hear about your project! Please include photos, testimonials and other items to show the impact of your project and evidence of completion.
2. Final Budget Summary: Report the actual costs of your project

An online Final Report form will be provided to grant recipients when they are ready to submit their final report and budget summary.

The Youth Climate Action Grants team may request a site visit to see your project and speak with project participants about their grant experience.

Grant Rules

• Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until available funding is exhausted.
• Applications submitted online will receive an immediate acknowledgment.
• Applications submitted by email will receive an acknowledgment by email within five days of its receipt, sent to the email addresses provided in your application.
• Please complete the application in full. We will not process incomplete applications.
• Submit only one application per group or classroom. If more than one project is submitted by the same group or classroom, the City will review the submission that was received first.
• There is no limit to the number of grant applications that can be submitted from a school as long as the applications are from different groups or classrooms and are different climate action concepts.
• You cannot receive more than one City of Toronto grant for the same project. 
• Restrictions may apply to past grant recipients to ensure equitable distribution of remaining funds.
• Applications must comply with the City of Toronto's Community Grants Policy.

Grant Recipients

Year	School	Board	Project Name	Climate Action
2024	Annette Street Junior and Senior Public School	TDSB	Annette ECO Fair	Environmental Education
2024	Annette Street Junior and Senior Public School	TDSB	Toronto Biodiversity Awareness: Winter bird count	Environmental Education
2023	Annette Street Junior and Senior Public School	TDSB	Know Where to Throw!	Waste Reduction
2024	Beverley Glen JPS	TDSB	Hydroponics	Local Food and Food Gardens
2023	Bloor Collegiate Institute	TDSB	Bloor CI Wind Turbine	Energy Conservation
2023	Bowmore Public School	TDSB	Get to know and appreciate the Trees at Bowmore	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	Broadacres Junior School	TDSB	STEM and EcoSchools Celebration	Environmental Education
2024	Bruce Public School	TDSB	Benefits of Repairing and Repurposing Clothing	Waste Reduction
2024	Central Toronto Academy	TDSB	Mini-Food Garden Project	Local Food and Food Gardens
2023	Clinton Street Junior Public School	TDSB	Clinton St JPS Clinton Composting	Waste Reduction
2024	Courcelette PS	TDSB	Our Climate Our Water	Biodiversity Conservation
2023	Crescent Town Elementary School	TDSB	Crescent Town Eco Book Club	Climate Change Learning
2024	Crescent Town Elementary School	TDSB	Dentonia Park Mural Partnership	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	Earl Haig PS	TDSB	League of Green Leaders	Environmental Education
2024	East York Collegiate Institute	TDSB	East York Collegiate Institute Courtyard Restoration	Biodiversity Conservation
2023	Eastview Public School	TDSB	Eastview Eagles Eat Eco-friendly	Local Food
2023	Etobicoke Collegiate Institute	TDSB	The Sustainable Threads	Waste Reduction
2024	Fairbank Memorial Community School	TDSB	FMCS Eco-Fair!	Environmental Education
2023	Fisherville Senior Public School	TDSB	Fisherville SPS Tune Up Shop	Sustainable Transportation
2023	Forest Manor Public School	TDSB	Forest Manor Cherry Tomato Container Project	Local Food
2023	General Crerar Public School	TDSB	General Crerar Eco-Fair	Environmental Education
2023	Grenoble Public School	TDSB	Grenoble PS Bike Club	Sustainable Transportation
2024	Highland Creek PS	TDSB	Minimize Food Waste	Waste Reduction
2023	Humberside Collegiate Institute	TDSB	Waste Not Want Not	Waste Reduction
2024	Karen Kain School of the Arts	TDSB	#KKSAPedalPowerProject	Sustainable Transportation
2024	Keele Street Public School	TDSB	Keele Street Bike Rodeo	Sustainable Transportation
2024	Mountview Alternative Junior School	TDSB	Circular Fashion Challenge Proposal	Waste Reduction
2024	North Bridlewood JPS	TDSB	Sustainable and Resilient Local Food and Food Gardenss	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	Oasis Alternative Secondary School	TDSB	Just Because Climate Awareness Day	Environmental Education
2024	Ogden JPS	TDSB	Ogden Grows	Local Food and Food Gardens
2023	Ossington/Old Orchard Public School	TDSB	OOOPS Climate Change Club	Environmental Education
2024	Regent Heights PS	TDSB	Our Planet, Our Responsibility	Environmental Education
2024	Secord Elementary Public School	TDSB	Honourable Harvest	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	Secord Elementary Public School	TDSB	Dentonia Park Mural Partnership	Biodiversity Conservation
2023	Seneca Hill Public School	TDSB	Love Food Hate Waste	Waste Reduction
2024	Sir Ernest MacMillan SPS	TDSB	HydroGrow: Sustainable Aquaponics for a Greener Community	Local Food and Food Gardens
2023	Sir Samuel B Steele Junior Public School	TDSB	FDK Outdoor Garden Centre Project	Local Food and Food Gardens
2023	Three Valleys Public School	TDSB	The Three Valleys Eco Explorers	Environmental Education
2024	TDSB (at Humber River Hospital)	TDSB	Humber River Health Climate Joy Project	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	Twentieth Street Junior School	TDSB	Garden-Empathy Connection	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	West Humber Junior Middle School	TDSB	School Growing Garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2023	Wilkinson Junior Public School	TDSB	Wilkinson League for Green Leaders Competition	Environmental Education
2023	Woburn Collegiate Institute	TDSB	Woburn CI Community Hub Garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	Woburn Collegiate Institute	TDSB	Our Power, Our Planet	Environmental Education
2023	Zion Heights Middle School	TDSB	Eco-Friendly Zion Heights	Environmental Education
2024	Zion Heights Middle School	TDSB	Zion’s Food Garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	Father John Redmond CSS and Regional Arts Centre	TCDSB	Spring Biking Campaign	Sustainable Transportation
2024	James Culnan Catholic School	TCDSB	Kids Go Wild - Experiencing nature in urban spaces	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	Loretto Abbey CSS	TCDSB	ABBees	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	Loretto Abbey CSS	TCDSB	Clear-washing Greenwashing Initiative	Environmental Education
2024	Loretto Abbey CSS	TCDSB	Repair Cafe	Waste Reduction
2024	Loretto Abbey CSS	TCDSB	The Self-Sustainable Vertical Garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	Loretto Abbey CSS	TCDSB	Autonomous Waste Collection Robots	Waste Reduction
2024	Loretto College School	TCDSB	Growing your garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	Marshall McLuhan CSS	TCDSB	EcoVision: Empowering the McLuhan Community Through Climate Action	Environmental Education
2024	Monsignor Percy Johnson CSS	TCDSB	Stop 'n' Swap Shop	Waste Reduction
2024	Neil McNeil High School	TCDSB	Climate Change and Fresh Water Ecosystems	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	Notre Dame High School	TCDSB	Lights ON with Green Energy	Environmental Education
2024	Saint John Henry Newman Catholic High School	TCDSB	REPURPOSE ME	Waste Reduction
2024	St. Charles Catholic School	TCDSB	Eco Book Talk	Environmental Education
2024	St. Basil the Great College School	TCDSB	St. Basil's Birds at Risk Project	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	St. Francis de Sales Catholic School	TCDSB	The Bee Keepers	Biodiversity Conservation
2024	St. John Paul II CSS	TCDSB	Recycling Water Bottles and Plastic Disposable Utensils for 3D filament	Waste Reduction
2024	St. John Paul II CSS	TCDSB	SJPII Community Garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	St. Patrick CSS	TCDSB	Junk Art Night	Waste Reduction
2024	St. Pius X Catholic School	TCDSB	Food Garden - St. Pius X Catholic School	Local Food and Food Gardens
2024	St. Richard Catholic School	TCDSB	Waste-to-Wisdom: A Green Energy Journey	Environmental Education
2022	Anson S. Taylor Public School	TDSB	Anson S. Taylor Tower Garden	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	Beverley School	TDSB	Beverly School Zero Waste Eco Art	Waste Reduction
2022	Burrows Hall Junior Public School	TDSB	Become One With The Earth - Save the Animals	Biodiversity Conservation
2022	Cosburn Middle School	TDSB	Growing Food Locally	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	Davisville Jr. Public School	TDSB	Clothes with New Use	Waste Reduction
2022	Davisville Jr. Public School	TDSB	Davisville Bikes!	Sustainable Transportation
2022	Davisville Jr. Public School	TDSB	Zero Waste Davisville	Waste Reduction
2022	Forest Manor Public School	TDSB	Balcony Container Gardening	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	Derrydown Public School	TDSB	Greenhouse Dragons	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	J.R. Wilcox C.S.	TDSB	Wilcox Garden-T.O.-Go	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	Karen Kain School of the Arts	TDSB	Giving Local Mimico Creek a Voice	Biodiversity Conservation
2022	McMurrich JPS	TDSB	Our Community Garden to support Pollinators	Biodiversity Conservation
2022	Northview Heights Secondary School	TDSB	Air Purifier Controller	Environmental Education
2022	Seneca Hill Public School	TDSB	Grow Green	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	Seneca Hill Public School	TDSB	Recycling Fun	Waste Reduction
2022	STRIDES	TDSB	STRIDES Climate Wellness Project	Environmental Education
2022	Victoria Park Collegiate Institute	TDSB	Lake Acidification in Toronto	Biodiversity Conservation
2022	Woburn Junior Public School	TDSB	Eco Wraps	Waste Reduction
2022	Woburn Junior Public School	TDSB	Growing Great Greens	Local Food and Food Gardens
2022	Woburn Junior Public School	TDSB	Too Good to Waste	Waste Reduction