ACTION GRANTS
Funds for organizations or projects to operate for the long term and reduce the impacts of the climate crisis.
ACTION GRANTS
Funds for organizations or projects to operate for the long term and reduce the impacts of the climate crisis.
Deadlines
Applications are reviewed twice a year, with these key dates in mind:
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Application Deadline
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Evaluation Period
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April 1, 2026. 12:00pm (noon) Pacific Time (PT)
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Duration of 20-30 business days after the application deadline. Please note: All applications will only be evaluated beginning on April 1, 2026.
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Term Length
6 – 12 months
Amount Rewarded
$5,000 – $30,000 per 12-month period
The Purpose of Action Grants
Youth are often expected to achieve more with fewer resources. They are typically underpaid, based on the assumption that their motivation to take climate action will drive them to work regardless of inadequate and unsustainable compensation. This situation creates a cycle of burnout and disrupts the talent pipeline in the climate sector, signaling that a viable career in this field is unsustainable. As a result, we lose many talented individuals and innovative ideas to more “steady” careers, compromising the mission.
The purpose of the Action Grants is to provide operational and flexible funding, enabling youth to concentrate on their mission and empowering them to address the local impacts of climate change. By sustaining young people in the movement, these grants support the advancement of their work and the mobilization of community-driven solutions.
Application Process
Step 1: Review eligibility guidelines
Step 2: Review helpful materials
Step 3: Review your application with a coach (optional)
- Clarify the application questions or requirements
- Support you in the development of your application answers, project development, budget, impact measurement, etc.
- Recommend where in your application you may need more detail
Step 4: Submit your application
Submit your written application in English, French, or a mixture of both. Alternative submission options (scheduled meeting or video) are described at the bottom of the application.
Overall communication and support is available in English and French.
Eligibility
Organization or project
The organization or project must:
- Have a project or initiative that will reduce the impacts of the climate crisis in what is currently referred to as Canada.
- Be grassroots in nature and/or conduct not-for-profit activities. The Youth Harbour cannot support for-profit activities.
- The organization or project can have an operating budget of no more than $300,000 CAD annually in order to be eligible.
Age
The organization or project must be led by:
- Youth (aged 30 or under)
AND/OR
- Indigenous folks from Turtle Island (what is currently North America) can apply aged 35 or under.
HOWEVER
Organizations can apply that are not entirely youth-led, but a specific project must be led by someone aged 30 or under. However, priority in assessment is given to entirely youth-led organizations or projects.
Citizenship
Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, refugee status or a visa.
Language
Applicants can communicate to us in English, French, or a mixture of both.
Applying multiple times
An organization or individual can apply for as many projects or organizations as they are seeking an Action Grant for. Only one could be selected for an Action Grant during a given cycle.
Applicants may also simultaneously apply to other granting opportunities that The Youth Harbour offers; this does not help or hinder any of their applications in any other granting streams.
Applicants who are selected will receive a 6 or 12 month contract, and are not able to reapply to Action Grants until 12 months after the submission of their final report.
Applicants who are not selected can reapply for the next cycle of Action Grants.
Funding areas
There are three key areas that The Youth Harbour seeks to support youth through Action Grants. Applicants must fall generally under at least one of of these three:
1. Organizational & Operational Longevity
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding in order to incorporate; formalize administrative systems; expand staffing hours and roles, etc.
2. Expanding Funding Opportunities
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding through The Youth Harbour as a stepping stone to receive other larger, multi-year funding
3. Refining Mission, Vision & Strategy
e.g. the applicant is seeking funding to strategize, reshape the organization or project’s goals, and/or seeking consulting to further the overall organization or project’s mission
Application Review Process
Phase 1: Staff Juries Round One
Initial assessment of applications, resulting in a preliminary grantee list and preliminary disbursement list.
ASSESSORS: The Youth Harbour’s assessors (comprised of FES staff members).
Phase 2: Individual Advisory Assessments
Gain the perspective of youth climate leaders in Canada by intentionally involving them in the assessment and evaluation process.
ASSESSORS: The Youth Harbour’s assessors & Youth Steering Committee (YSC) members
Phase 3: Staff Juries Round Two
To determine a final list of accepted applicants and amounts granted per applicant.
ASSESSORS: The Youth Harbour’s assessors
Final Decisions and Next Steps
All applicants will be notified by email when a decision has been made regarding their application.
If your application is successful, grantees of The Youth Harbour can expect to meet with the Program Manager to review contracts for signature, disbursement timelines, and general expectations. Update and final reporting templates will be provided and completed on the agreed upon dates between FES and the Youth Harbour grantee.
If your application is unsuccessful in receiving funding this cycle, and if this is your first time applying to The Youth Harbour, you will receive a one-time $25 stipend to compensate you for the time and effort it took for you to complete the application process. You may also indicate if you would like your application to be reconsidered for the following granting cycle.
Information Session
Watch our Action Grants information session.
Ethical Engagement and Granting Guidelines
FES does not support, partner with, affiliate itself with, or provide grants to groups that:
- Perpetuate systemic biases and discrimination based on ethnicity, race, religion, colour, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, or veteran or disability status.
- Promote or support violence, aggression, prejudice, or oppression or any infringement on human rights, with a strong emphasis on the infringement of Indigenous rights.
- Force, coerce, or exclude others based on religious or spiritual beliefs.
- Are connected to political parties, political rallies, or otherwise partisan work.
- Promote or partake in unsustainable practices and/or do not have an adequate climate plan in place to address the climate crisis in response to its unsustainable practices.
- Has a track record of tokenizing youth or disrespecting the voices of youth.
We’d like to thank all of our supporters that have contributed to the efforts at The Youth Harbour.
