Our Granting Initiatives
Current Granting Initiatives
ACF Youth Mental Health Fund
Creating Communities of Care in Algoma
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications Open: April 2nd, 2025
Application Deadline May 14th, 2025
About the Fund:
In 2023, after recognizing the need to specifically prioritize youth in Algoma, the Algoma Community Foundation (ACF) board of directors, set aside funds to be used towards youth initiatives focused on mental health and wellbeing in our communities. Thus marked the creation of ACF’s Youth Mental Health fund.
This fund is focused on investing in ideas for youth by youth that will provide improvements to mental health in Algoma. The issue of mental health is one that is connected to so many things - from our families, to our friends, school, work, public spaces and how we are in relationship with the earth and each other. Each and every one of us is impacted in some way, by our wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around us, and young people are envisioning pathways to joyful, loving spaces of belonging for us all.
ACF is now inviting eligible groups to apply by May 14th, 2025 to the Youth Mental Health Fund for new or existing projects, programs or ideas that support the positive mental health and well being of youth aged 10-35 across Algoma.
Eligibility
We invite applications from organizations, registered charities, groups, councils, advisory bodies and collectives working directly with youth, who are considered qualified donees. This might include:
Youth Councils, Clubs, Committees or Advisory bodies working within a charity or qualified donee such as a First Nation, Municipality, community organization, school, college or university etc.
Charitable organizations & qualified donees delivering programming on behalf of youth, with youth input & direction
A registered sports or athletic organization
Youth-led organizations or collectives/collaborations with charitable status or who are a qualified donee who can apply on behalf of the group
For this Fund, we are looking to prioritize projects, initiatives and ideas that are created, guided, and developed with youth. This means that we will prioritize projects that are envisioned, led primarily by young people, and/or clearly demonstrate authentic youth involvement, ensuring that youth voices are central to the conversation when decisions are being made. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact our executive director Desiree, using the information below.
What kinds of projects will be supported?
If you are working on an initiative, idea, project or program that supports the mental health and well being of youth across Algoma we want to hear about it! Your idea could be:
Something you know is working but you need more support to keep going or grow.
A creative idea, project or solution that you feel would be transformational or unique for your community.
ACF worked together with our Youth Committee to gather ideas and direction for how we can partner with the community to improve youth mental health through this Fund. While youth experiences and identities are diverse and intersectional, the Committee let us know that the following areas are priorities that they hope to see addressed for youth in Algoma. The Youth Mental Health Fund intends to support ideas, initiatives or projects that:
Foster the development of support networks and activities that contribute to positive mental health for youth;
Increase awareness and access to mental health services and supports (ex. transportation, system navigation, mental health providers, etc.) that are available, accessible and welcoming;
Create or increase availability of existing low-barrier activities (physical spaces, events, activities) that offer accessible, welcoming, culturally inclusive opportunities for social interaction;
Develop support networks and activities that contribute to positive mental health (examples include: creativity, music, nature, food, ceremony, talking circles, clubs, physical activity, life skills, neurodiversity, 2SLGBTQIA support, etc.);
Focus on neurodivergent friendly activities, programs and spaces for teens;
Increase safety for young people to support them to move freely throughout their community (ex. on buses, in public spaces, in businesses);
Offer life skills, mentorship, programs and services that meet youth where they are at, and on their terms;
Create or offer training and public education that builds support, understanding, empathy, and reduces stigma for youth;
Create or increase availability and accessibility of local opportunities;
That support life skills and tools related to psychosocial health (ex. trauma-informed care training; Indigenous cultural competency; anti-oppression; anti-racism, consent, youth public health, diversity, etc.);
Increase access to ceremony and culture, as well as teachings that are inclusive, and relevant to a young person’s life-cycle (ex. rites of passage;.
Support the creation or expansion of non-sports based clubs that encourage community building, exploration of self, advocacy, creativity perspective and voice;
That combat isolation, and encourage social interaction focused on play & laughter, while tuning into the magic and whimsy of childhood;
Educate adults about youth mental health issues in an effort to build allyship and decrease the stigma around who teenagers are, what they need and what they are capable of (ex. trauma-informed service provision, DEI, Indigenous cultural competency etc.);
Other ideas that you think will support poverty reduction, equity and youth mental health in Algoma
Who will be prioritized?
Algoma-based initiatives that are youth involved are welcome to apply, based on feedback from our Youth Committee, we will be prioritizing initiatives that focus on one or more of the following groups:
Youth living with disabilities
Youth struggling with mental illness and/or addictions
Black, Indigenous, and/or youth of Colour.
2SLGBTQIA+ youth
Funding Available
A total of $70,000 is available to be distributed to groups across Algoma through this fund. We encourage applications with requests of $500 to $10,000 to apply.
How to Apply
Please submit your application by completing the following Online Application Form. Throughout the application, there are options provided to record some video answers if preferable. All Forms and Video submissions must be made by midnight EST on May 14th.
How funding decisions will be made
Applications will be assessed by a local Youth Grant Review Committee composed of young people from across Algoma. Following the deadline for the Fund, the Committee will meet to review, be in conversation and make decisions about which projects they believe best meet the vision for this grant. All applicants will be notified by the end of June regarding the Committee’s decision.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email or call Desiree Gravel, Executive Director of the Algoma Community Foundation, at executive@algomacf.com or call 705.257.1937.
Gratitude to our Partners
This fund is made possible because of our partnership for mental health with Green Shield Canada. Green Shield Canada invested $6 million in six Community Foundations - including startup funding for the Algoma Community Foundation - to celebrate the organization’s 60-year history of social impact and charitable giving. This funding was primarily directed to community programs aimed at improving access to oral and mental health care – the two core focus areas of GSC’s Social Impact Program.
To apply, please fill out the application below:
Past Granting Initiatives
The GSC Community Impact Fund: Creating Communities of Care for Algoma invited local community groups to apply in support of new or existing projects, programs or operations that support the positive mental health and well being of individuals and communities across Algoma. Funding amounts ranged from $5,000 to $25,000.
This fund was made possible with generous financial support from
Green Shield Canada.
Applications are now closed. Thank you for applying!
About the GSC Community Impact Fund:
Creating Communities of Care for Algoma
From April to September 2022, the Algoma Community Foundation (ACF) spent time listening deeply to individuals and organizations interacting with the mental health and addictions sectors in rural, urban, First Nation and unorganized communities across Algoma. The GSC’s Community Impact Fund: Creating Communities of Care in Algoma program was developed using this feedback. This fund was made possible with financial support from Green Shield Canada.
Coming out of that process, the ACF invited local community groups to apply in support of new or existing projects, programs or operations that supported the positive mental health and well being of individuals and communities across Algoma.
NOTE: we will be developing a sibling fund specifically for youth-led initiatives that will be launched in 2024.
The funding opportunity
We invited applications from community groups (incorporated non-profits, collectives and grassroots groups, registered charities, Indigenous Governing Bodies, municipalities) in the Algoma Region (from Spanish to Wawa, inclusive of Sault Ste. Marie) for new or existing projects, programs or operations.
Ideas could include:
Something you know is working but you need more support to keep going or grow
An innovative solution that you feel would be transformational, that is not typically supported through mainstream funding sources
What kinds of initiatives were supported?
Through our community consultation process, we heard that support is needed for the following kinds of initiatives:
Community spaces that spark joy
Creating or increasing availability of existing spaces (physical spaces, events, activities) that offer accessible, welcoming, culturally inclusive opportunities for social interaction, the development of support networks and incorporate activities that contribute to positive mental health (examples include: creativity, music, nature, food, ceremony, talking circles, physical activity, etc.)Training and public education that builds support and reduces stigma
Creating or increasing availability and accessibility of local opportunities for training and public education that will help decrease stigma and increase understanding, empathy and/or skills related to the root causes or outcomes of negative mental health (e.g. Narcan training; trauma-informed training; Indigenous cultural competency; anti-oppression; anti-racism, etc.).Mental health and addictions services that are available, accessible and welcoming
Increasing access and reducing barriers to mental health and addictions services and supports (e.g. transportation to mental health services, system navigation, hiring mental health providers and supports, offering childcare or food, etc.)Care for the Caregivers
Opportunities for respite, retreats, peer support, wellness programming, and other mental health supports for those who have been in caregiving roles throughout the pandemic (parents, spouses, support workers, service providers, teachers, EAs, nurses, health care practitioners etc.)Other great ideas that you think will lead to positive improvement in overall mental health and well-being.
Who was prioritized?
While initiatives serving any communities located in Algoma are welcome to apply, based on community feedback, we prioritized initiatives that focus on one or more of the following groups:
Youth serving programs (a youth-led funding program will be launched in 2023)
Rural, outlying and First Nation communities, Métis settlements, small towns and municipalities
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) communities
2SLGBTQIA+ communities
People living with trauma, mental illness and/or addictions
Caregivers (parents, spouses, support workers, teachers, EAs, nurses, health care practitioners etc.)
Funding available
A total of $200,000 was distributed to groups across Algoma through this fund. We encouraged applications with requests of $5,000 to $25,000.
How funding decisions were made
Applications were assessed by a local Community Grant Review team comprising individuals from across Algoma who hold lived and professional experience related to the mental health and addictions sector.
Applications are now closed.
The Community Services Recovery Fund will help community service organizations to adapt, to modernize and to be better equipped to improve the efficacy, accessibility and sustainability of the community services that they provide, so they can continue to support communities across Algoma through the pandemic recovery and beyond. Funding amounts range from $10,000 to $200,000 for local initiatives. Click here to access the Applicant Guide and the Where To Apply Questionnaire to determine which project focus area is most relevant to your current needs.
This program is funded by the Government of Canada under the Community Services Recovery Fund and administered locally by the Algoma Community Foundation, United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma, and the Canadian Red Cross.
Applications are now closed.
Thank you for applying!
How did we respond to the Covid-19 crisis in Algoma?
The COVID-19 pandemic was an unpredictable and challenging time for many, with some communities experiencing higher levels of vulnerability than others. Marginalized groups, youth, children and the elderly, essential workers, and newcomers were just some of the communities that faced increased challenges. Here’s how we supported our community.
The Algoma Community Foundation partnered with other local and national groups to support local needs in response to the Covid-19 crisis. We distributed over $300,000.00 to local charities serving equity-seeking groups who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.
By leveraging funding.
This funding came from donations raised at the April 2020 “Come Together Sault” virtual concert fundraiser - held in partnership with SooToday and the Sault Area Hospital Foundation with additional funding from Greenshield Canada - as well as two rounds of funding from the Government of Canada through the Emergency Community Support Fund, which was also administered locally by the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District.
By listening to our community.
Through these initiatives we provided financial support to 28 charities across Algoma that are doing incredible work in the areas of mental health, addictions and substance abuse, seniors programming, Indigenous culture-based wellness, food security, 2SLGBTQ+ supports, disability supports, newcomer services, and more.
The Investment Readiness Program
The newest round of the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) supports local social enterprises as they get investment ready.
In 2019, Community Foundations of Canada, alongside the Government of Canada and several partner organizations, announced the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), a program that helps social purpose organizations scale up their social enterprises to prepare to accept investments.
Since then, IRP has had two intake periods and has supported many social enterprises in each round. The goal of the IRP is to support these organizations in the social finance market, generating a return for investors while having a positive impact on their communities. CFC launched its second round of funding through the IRP in September of 2020, the results of which are now publicly available.
On Sept. 29, 2022, the newest round of IRP intake was launched. Social purpose organizations from coast to coast to coast can apply for $10,000 to $75,000 to ensure their organization is ready for investment.
The Algoma Community Foundation is proud to be working in collaboration with the Sudbury Community Foundation and North Bay and Area Community Foundation to deliver the Investment Readiness Program across Northern Ontario, including working with a regional review committee to assess applications.
Applications are now closed. Thank you for applying!
