Creation is a multi-level funding program

that supports strengths-based, community-focused and youth-led projects taking place in communities across Canada.

Grassroot youth groups/collectives (comprised of Indigenous youth ages 15-29) are eligible to apply for funding to support community programs and projects while receiving innovative mentorship, training and capacity-building opportunities. Funding will be provided to projects/groups that seek to create impactful community change and increase the wellness, resiliency and engagement of Indigenous youth.

This program aims to support Indigenous youth to take ownership over the wellness of their peers and community.

Interested in applying?

Before applying, please read through the program description and eligibility requirements for the Funding Streams below. Creation runs multiple funding streams per year. Creation is led by an Advisory Circle of 20 Indigenous youth.

April intake ( April 1 – April 30):

  • Youth Empowerment Stream – $2500 – $5000 grants
  • Youth and Community Wellness Grants, supported by Manulife – $2500 – $5000 grants

For More Information

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Impact & Granting, Grant Manager

Upcoming and Open Funding Streams

  • This stream is open from April 1- April 30, 2024

    The Youth and Community Wellness Grants, supported by Manulife funding Stream will provide small grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to Indigenous youth-led initiatives. The focus of this stream is to fund projects that center around engaging youth in programming that focuses on wellness, health and the land.

  • This stream is open from April 1- April 30, 2024

    The Youth Empowerment Stream will provide small grants from $2,500 – $5000 to youth-led projects happening in urban, rural, and remote communities across Canada. The focus of this stream is to fund new and emerging micro-projects that focus on increasing the resilience, engagement, and wellness of youth.

  • Funding of up to $25,000 will be provided to projects/groups that seek to create impactful community change and increase wellness, resiliency and engagement of youth. The Shared Struggle and Solidarity Stream aims to strengthen solidarity between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) youth and provide relationship-building opportunities.

  • The Multi-Year Project Funding Stream will provide two years of funding of up to $150,000 ($75,000 in Year One and $75,000 in Year Two). Funding will go to Indigenous youth-led non-profits, organizations and charities that seek to create impactful community change and increase the wellness, resiliency and engagement of Indigenous youth.

  • The Small Funding Stream will provide funding of up to $15,000 to Indigenous youth-led projects and groups and non-profits that seek to create impactful community change and increase the wellness, resiliency and engagement of Indigenous youth. Projects must be led by 3+ Indigenous youth (ages 15-29) who are meaningfully involved in project guidance, planning, implementation and/or evaluation.

  • $25,000 will be provided to projects/groups that seek to create impactful community change and increase the wellness, resiliency and engagement of Indigenous youth.

  • The Medium Funding Stream will provide funding of up to $30,000 to Indigenous youth-led projects and groups of non-profits that seek to create impactful community change and increase the wellness, resiliency and engagement of Indigenous youth. Projects must be led by 3+ Indigenous youth (ages 15-29) who are meaningfully involved in project guidance, planning, implementation and/or evaluation.

  • The Education and Training stream will provide funding of up to $20,000 to Indigenous youth-led groups, non-profits and school groups that run programs and initiatives that focus on supporting Indigenous youth to enhance their skill-building and stay engaged in educational spaces.

  • The Experiential Learning Stream will provide funding of up to $20,000 to Indigenous youth-led projects, groups and non-profits. Every year, our Indigenous Youth Advisory Circle selects emerging needs streams based on gaps they are seeing in their community and learning about from their peers.

Art Stream 2021 View English Guide

Community Support Fund 2021 View English Guide

2020/2021 Community Support Fund View English Guide

Applicant Resources

Our Impact

The Creation Community Grants Program started in March 2020 to respond to the need for community funding during COVID.

Have Questions?

What do we mean by “Youth-Led”? What do we mean by “Indigenous organization/group”?

“[IYR] allowed our group to have a safety net as we charted into the unknown with our big idea. It gave us the support we needed when we needed it and encouraged us to keep going.”

– Naomi Ratte, Indigenous Design and Planning Students Association

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