Youth VOICE

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).

If you have any questions, please email grants@ecfoundation.org.