The Vital Youth Program
The Toronto Community Foundation's Vital Youth grant program supports groups in the City of Toronto that are working to increase access to high-quality recreational activities for youth aged 12-18 years. Funding of up to $15,000 is available for programs that meet the Vital Youth priorities and which are offered to youth over the course of the year.

In order to ensure that young people in Toronto can benefit from recreation opportunities regardless of income level, the Toronto Community Foundation, with support from the Province of Ontario, has built a $2 million endowment to help our city become a place where youth are able to participate in recreational activities as part of their development.

Supporting Our City's Youth
Each year, the Toronto Community Foundation reports on our city’s quality of life through our Toronto’s Vital Signs® Report. In the 2009 Report, we noted the following interconnected issues that impact on the well-being of our youth:

• The clear link between low income and poor health outcomes underscores inequality in the City;
• Of the 10 Toronto neighbourhoods with the highest diabetes rates, 70% lack access to parks, schoolyards and recreation centres;
• The youth unemployment rate in the Toronto Region surpassed 20% in June 2009, up 5% in just one year and 4% higher than the national rate (at 16%);
• There are twice as many youth gangs as in 2000 - an estimated 100 -160;
• There are fewer full-time librarians and physical education teachers to share knowledge and opportunity with our youth;
• After-school programs make a critical difference in safety and skill development.

Recreation activities for youth have multiple positive impacts beyond health, resulting in a greater sense of belonging and safer communities.

Our Vital Youth Granting Priorities

• Increasing Access: Recreation programs that are year-long and enable participation by youth aged 12-18 years who otherwise might not have access due to cost or other barriers;
• Encouraging Diversity: Organizations that provide inclusive recreation programs and engage different ethno-cultural communities; and
• Developing Leadership: Programs that encourage leadership and mentoring of youth by engaging them in program development and/or implementation, and/or provide opportunities for young people to gain paid employment.

Vital Youth grants invest in high-quality recreational programs for young people that help them connect to their community, interact with their peers, and develop their skills and leadership abilities.

Improving Toronto's Vital Signs®
Toronto's Vital Signs® is a report which measures quality of life in 11 different issue areas. Published each fall by the Toronto Community Foundation, the Report informs our grantmaking and strengthens our ability to connect issues, convene partners, and address Toronto's most pressing issues.
Learn more about Toronto's Vital Signs® ››

Eligibility
The Vital Youth program is open to any registered charitable organization located in the City of Toronto offering year-long programs that directly benefit youth aged 12-18 who are residents of the City. Not-for-profit organizations that are not registered Canadian charities that wish to submit an application should refer to the information sheet "Who Can Apply?" for additional application requirements.
Who Can Apply? Information Sheet ››

How to Apply
The initial submission consists of submitting one signed copy (by your Executive Director or Chair of the Board) of a completed Vital Youth Application Form plus required attachments. Short-listed organizations will be asked to submit further information in early May.

The Decision-Making Process
Staff will review all initial applications. Staff will contact, by phone and e-mail, the short-listed applicants in early May. All other applicants who did not make the short-list will receive email notification that their request for grant funds has been declined.  A volunteer Selection Committee will deliberate on the short-listed applications in June and final granting decisions will be made at the end of June. Grants to Vital Youth 2010 grantees will be mailed out in July. Confirmation of the status of declined applications and feedback on proposals will be available in July once all final decisions are made.

The Application
The Vital Youth Application Form must be complete for consideration along with the attachments as described below. One copy of the complete submission should be delivered in person or by mail to the Community Foundation at the address below. The Vital Youth Application Form must also be e-mailed to both malakkatusery@tcf.ca and dkortan@tcf.ca.

Application Guidelines & Deadline
The 2011 Vital Youth Application Guidelines and Form will be available here in March 2011.

Contact
Mini Alakkatusery, Manager, Programs
Toronto Community Foundation
33 Bloor Street East, Suite 1603
Toronto ON  M4W 3H1
T: 416.921.2035 ext. 205  F: 416.921.1026  E: malakkatusery@tcf.ca