Indigenous Youth
About the Program
As part of our commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada, the Peter Gilgan Foundation has dedicated funds to reducing barriers and uplifting opportunities and wellbeing for Indigenous young people. Informed by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as well as the guidance of community leaders who generously share their wisdom and worldviews, we strive to ensure:
- Our objectives centre Indigenous self-determination
- Our approach remains rooted in relationship
- Our leadership emerges with humility
We seek to support Indigenous-led organizations that are meeting the holistic needs of Indigenous youth in the areas of:
- Housing & safe spaces
- Health & healing
- Education & knowledge
- Economic opportunity & building capacity
- Food security & sovereignty
Grant Types
Funding is available as both project grants and general operating grants. Registered charities and qualified donees are welcome to apply for either type of grant depending on what would best suit the needs of the organization. Non-qualified donees are only eligible to apply for project grant funding at this time.
All Indigenous Youth grants are single-year commitments.
Eligibility and Deadlines
We welcome applications from Indigenous-led organizations that are:
- Registered charities
- Qualified donees
- Nonprofit entities that fall under the non-qualified donee classification outlined by the Canada Revenue Agency
All applicants are eligible to apply for a maximum of 10% of their organization’s annual revenue up to $50,000.
Priority will be given to:
- Organizations that are community-based and culturally connected
- Organizations serving Indigenous youth in rural and remote communities
- Projects that are led by youth or informed by youth voices
We do not accept applications for:
- Capital campaigns
- Capital or infrastructure expenses
- Emergency relief
- Endowments
- Fundraising drives or event sponsorship
- Government services
- Individuals
- Scholarships or bursaries
- Singular events disconnected from sustained programming or services
We do not accept applications from:
- Non-Indigenous-led organizations or partnerships
- Well-established and -resourced entities (examples: post-secondary institutions, hospital foundations, conservancy or historical associations)
There is no application deadline, you can apply at any time. However, if you have submitted an unsuccessful application to the Peter Gilgan Foundation, please wait at least 12 months before reapplying.
How to Apply
The Indigenous Youth grant program has a single-round application process. To apply, first create an account on our online application portal, then complete the 2-page application form which consists of a variety of short, medium, and long answer questions. There is an opportunity to provide additional information and context regarding your organization, project, or proposal if the application form is found to be limiting or lacking in any way. You can save your answers right in your account and pick up where you left off should you need to pause your work.
Once you have completed all application tasks, including attaching requested financial documents, please select the “submit” button. We accept applications for the Indigenous Youth grant program on a rolling basis, and review submissions every other month throughout the year.
Foundation staff may reach out to offer a virtual or in-person meeting at your convenience as part of our application review process. You will be notified about the outcome of your application within approximately 8 to 12 weeks.
If you have any questions regarding the Indigenous Youth grant program or the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@petergilganfoundation.org