Youth Climate Action Grants

Student-led groups consisting of two or more students from grades JK to 12 are eligible to apply. A TDSB or TCDSB staff member must serve as the project supervisor.

Student-led group can include:

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

Ineligible applicants include:

• 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

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Youth Climate Action Guide, which provides important information on how to develop an eligible climate action project.  

Proposed 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
• satisfy TDSB or TCDSB rules, including approved educational programming partners
• have all necessary TDSB or TCDSB approvals and permission from the school Principal

Examples of eligible projects include:

• activities that enhance the existing school curriculum 
• education campaigns (for example, waste reduction, energy conservation, active transportation) 
• 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.
  • Pollinator garden projects are not eligible, please contact the City’s PollinateTO Grants.
• workshops, demonstrations and group activities provided by TDSB approved environmental partners

Examples of eligible costs include:

• project supplies (for example, paper, pens, poster boards, markers, paint)
• raw materials (for example, wood, soil, screws) 
• workshop expenses (for example, speaker fees, training supplies)
• space rental or permit fees for event/activity space
• project communications (for example, flyers, posters, printing)
• rentals or small equipment purchases

The following project costs are also eligible but cannot exceed 25 per cent of your total grant request:

• skilled labour (for example, hiring a contractor to build a garden box);
• professional consultant fees (for example, design, translation, communications);
• volunteer and participant expenses (for example, food, transit, personal protective equipment); and
• honouraria for voluntary services (for example, guest speakers or ceremonial duties). 

For example, if your grant request is $1,000, the maximum you can request for skilled labour is $250 ($1,000 x 0.25 = $250). 

The following items cannot be funded:

• educational programming (for example, workshops, seminars, presentations) provided by organizations that have not been approved by the TDSB or TCDSB. Review the TDSB’s list of approved partners, if applicable.
• paid advertising campaigns in newspapers, etc.
• beautification, maintenance or landscaping repairs (for example, ornamental gardens, pathways)
• costs associated with the regular operation of your group, such as computer equipment, software, phones, internet, accounting services, insurance, 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)
• use of City grant funds to provide grants, rebates and/or incentives to other parties
• disposable items (for example, single-use plastics, bottled water)
• fees and expenses for memberships, conferences, travel, personal vehicle use and parking
• catering, alcohol or cannabis
• fundraising drives
• thank you gifts
• activities related to religious and/or political purposes
• playgrounds, furnishings, fencing, armour stone, water-bottle refilling stations
• pollinator gardens (for example, plants, garden materials and supplies), visit PollinateTO Grants
• pre-existing school projects and/or events  (for example, annual fun fairs)
• projects already approved for funding, including those funded by other City of Toronto grant programs
• promotional items that could contribute to waste (for example, swag and buttons)
• rental/purchase of combustion engine vehicles or any other gas-powered equipment (for example, gas generators), and gasoline or any other fuels
• research or scientific studies
• routine maintenance, emergency repairs or major capital improvements (for example, cricket pitches, artificial turf, solar installations, playground renovations)
• salaries, hourly wages and income-generating activities for staff/group members
• tree or shrub planting, visit Urban Forestry Grants & Incentives for funding opportunities
• ecological stewardship, such as removal of invasive species 
• litter cleanups, visit Clean Toronto Together for support
• outdoor composting projects

City of Toronto, TDSB and TCDSB staff members are here to help!

Before you apply:

• tell us about your project idea
• check if the project idea is eligible
• ask for feedback

For more information, please contact climateactiongrants@toronto.ca.

The Youth Climate Action Grant is a three-stage application process.

Step 1: Submit a request for funding application

• Starting on September 16, submit a request for funding using the online application. If you don’t have adequate access to the internet or technology, we will accept paper application forms. To apply by mail, please contact us. 
• 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.
• The purpose of the application is to share your project idea and receive feedback.
• Applications must be received on or before the deadline of November 12. Groups are strongly encouraged to apply before the deadline as funding is limited.

Step 2: Get feedback about your project idea

• City and school board staff will review Step 1 applications and provide an email containing feedback (normally in 5 business days).
• Additional guidance may be provided by phone or in-person, if required.
• When your project idea is deemed eligible to proceed, you 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 Tuesday, December 10.
• Funding decisions will be announced by January 2025 or earlier.

Important:

• 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.
• 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.

• Step 3 full grant proposals will undergo a technical review by Environment & Climate Division staff to confirm all eligibility requirements have been met.
• Projects deemed eligible will then be assessed by the 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.

• September 16, 2024: grant round opens
• November 12, 2024: requests for funding close
• December 10, 2024: final day to submit the full grant proposal (budget and workplan)
• December 2024 to January 2025: all funding decisions announced
• June 2025: 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.