The Central Okanagan Foundation and the United Way Gennext have partnered to offer Youth Initiative Grants.

These grants are available to young people up to age 25 who are partnering with an organization to create positive change in their local community. The partner organization can be a school, church or charity. Youth must reside in either the Central or South Okanagan Similkameen in order to apply.

The Central Okanagan Foundation is a community foundation that has been supporting local registered charities since 1977. They contribute to the quality of life in the Central Okanagan through the raising and stewardship of entrusted funds, innovative and diverse granting, and active community leadership. In 2002 the Central Okanagan for Youth fund was created to encourage youth engagement through supporting projects which are youth-led, volunteer based and beneficial to both youth and the whole community.

What are the Criteria for deciding which Projects receive Grants?

Your project must be:

• Youth-led (proposed and implemented by youth up to age 25);
• Volunteer-based (no salaries or remunerations may be paid to volunteers);
• Based in the Central Okanagan or South Okanagan Similkameen Region;
• Beneficial to both youth and the whole community

Eligible project costs may include:

• Promotional costs (posters, flyers, radio/newspaper ads);
• Materials related to the project - except for capital expenses such as equipment, office space, large electronics (at the discretion of the Selection committee)
• Transportation costs;
• Food and lodging for volunteers, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be affiliated with a charity, a school, or a church as their sponsor organization.  Sponsor organizations must be willing to assume legal and financial support for a project and support the youth leading the project. Grants are not awarded to businesses or individuals. Grants are given within the region of Central and South Okanagan Similkameen to projects that directly benefit the local community. Applying does not guarantee that you will receive funding. All applications are assessed by a Youth Initiative Grants Advisory Council who will decide which projects are awarded grants.

For more information, visit Central Okanagan Foundation.