The Youth “Vision of Innovation for Community Empowerment” (Youth VOICE) grants support innovative projects or activities in the Greater Edmonton area.

Youth VOICE grants are available for innovative projects or activities that are initiated, led, and organized by young students currently enrolled in Grades 7-12 in a school within the Greater Edmonton area (including Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, Parkland County, Leduc County and First Nations communities within this same geographic area).

We define innovation as new or modified approaches that have not been previously used in your community. This grant program supports projects that see or try things from a different perspective.

These grants are for youth teams who wish to innovate and change their community. Teams include two or more students, who can apply for up to $5,000 for an innovative youth-led project that:

• raises awareness of a community issue,
• addresses a community need,
• or resolves an identified challenge in the community.

The projects must be endorsed by a school (through the online application) and involve a community partner that provides other types of support including (but not limited to): financial resources, materials, equipment, talents, expertise, or mentorship.

Projects should raise awareness for a community-based issue and aim to resolve the identified problem. Projects are to be youth led and organized with the support of the school and community partner(s).

Some things to consider when applying:

• Applications can only be submitted through the online application portal and must be submitted before the 11:59 p.m. deadline.
• Application deadline is October 31 for projects after January 1, of the following year.
• Funds from the Youth VOICE grant program may only be used to:
  • purchase materials and supplies necessary to run project activities,
  • promote participation of project activities,
  • support other potential expenses, based on a case-by-case review.
• At the end of the project or activity, we would love a summary to hear all about it! This can include:
  • a brief description of the activities that can include photos or videos
  • notable successes or lessons learned
  • plans for follow-up activities (if any).

All approved grants – including the names of the charities and the names of the projects involved — will be listed in Edmonton Community Foundation’s publications (such as Legacy in Action magazine, website, podcast, and newsletters).

Our Young Edmonton Grants (YEG) program provides local youth with funding to turn their ideas into reality.

THE YEG PROGRAM funds projects initiated, led, and organized by young Edmonton and area residents between the ages of 13 and 24. These grants range from $500 up to $3,000. Check out our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages to see YEG grants in action!

• To receive funding, applicants must partner with a registered Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) charity (this may include your school).
• Partner charities will be required to complete an online form, automatically sent through the online application, supporting the applicant’s project.
• The partner charity must be aware of the application. For junior and senior high school students, Edmonton Public or Catholic Schools may be willing to accept grants.
• A representative (Executive Director or Principal) from your partner charity must complete an online form.

This grant program supports youth leadership and priority will be given to applications that demonstrate youth leadership and/or involvement. This grant program is not intended to support charities or agencies that provide programming or services for youth. Instead, it is intended to support young residents who create their own projects or initiatives.

Youth leadership is one or more of the following: mentoring, confidence, growth or personal development, skills development, compassion, impact or paying it forward, role models, teamwork, taking initiative, making connections, and community involvement.

Some things to consider when applying:

• Application deadlines are March 15 for requests to support initiatives after May 1, and October 15 for requests to support initiatives after December 1.
• Applications can only be submitted through the online application portal and must be submitted before the 11:59 p.m. deadline.
• Applications will be available online approximately two months before the deadline. Funds, if awarded, will be sent to the partner charity or school. For more information on the roles and responsibilities of applicants, partner charities and ECF within this program, read our YEG Roles and Responsibilities list.
• Applications are reviewed by a committee of young Edmonton and area residents that make recommendations for funding. It is anticipated that the number of applications will be greater than the funds that are available to disburse. Not all applications will be approved.
• Funding will NOT be awarded for any projects, programs, or initiatives that:
  • involve direct religious activity;
  • involve partisan political activity;
  • benefit an individual (such as a scholarship);
  • have already occurred; or
  • involve funds requested being redirected to activities beyond the
  • Edmonton area (e.g. disaster relief in another country).
• At the end of the project or activity, we would love a summary to hear all about it!

All approved grants – including the names of the charities and the names of the projects involved — will be listed in Edmonton Community Foundation’s publications (such as Legacy in Action magazine, website, podcast and newsletters).