Apply for a grant
If you are Black, aged 14 to 19, and building something for Durham Region, this is the door.
See the eligibility listAsk us anything before you apply.
There is one inbox and real people read it. If you are not sure whether your idea fits, that is exactly the kind of message we want to get.
Three ways in.
Mentor a grantee
A four hour planning day, roughly 15 hours a month, and a young person who gets a whole year of you.
Email with your skillsetGrow the pool
Year one moves $1,500. Every dollar added to that is another young person who does not get told no.
Talk about fundingThe questions we get most.
Still stuck? Email us and we will answer properly.
Do I need to be a registered charity or non-profit?
No, and it is actually the other way round. The fund is for individuals and net new grassroots initiatives, so existing incorporated non-profits and registered charities are not eligible. You do not need a board, a bank of references, or charitable status.
Can I apply with friends?
Yes. Put one person down as the main contact so we know who to call, and name everyone else in the application. The grant is transferred to one person.
How much should I ask for?
Ask for what the project actually costs, anywhere from $200 up to the full $1,000 pool. Asking for the maximum does not help you and asking for less does not hurt you. We weigh proposals on strength and community impact, not size.
Do I have to do the video pitch?
No. Five short written questions or a three minute video, whichever suits you. Both are read the same way by the same committee.
What if I have never run a project before?
That is completely normal at fourteen, and at nineteen. We are not scoring you on track record. That is exactly what the planning day and the mentor are for.
Do I have to live in Durham Region?
You need to either live in Durham Region or be running something that directly benefits the Durham Region community. If you are just outside and the work lands here, apply and tell us that in the application.
What can the money not be spent on?
Partisan political activity, religious proselytising, and anything involving alcohol, cannabis or gambling. Beyond that, deployment is flexible once your budget is approved.
What happens if the project runs late?
You have 12 months from the day the money lands, which is deliberately generous. Timelines move. Tell your mentor early at one of your monthly check ins and you will work it out together.
Can I get more money partway through?
Possibly. A $500 reserve is held back each cycle for discretionary top ups where a project is doing exceptional work and has genuine need. It is not guaranteed, and it is decided case by case.
What do you need from me at the end?
A shared budget you have kept current, your receipts, a one page report and a short reflection. Then you present what you did at the end of year showcase.