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.

November intake ( November 1 – November 30):

  • Youth Empowerment Stream – $2500 – $5000 grants
  • Small Project Stream – $15,000 grants
  • Land and Food Sovereignty Stream – $25,000 grants

For More Information

Impact & Granting, Administrative Assistant

Upcoming and Open Funding Streams

  • This stream is open from November 1 - 30, 2023

    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.

  • This stream is open from November 1 - 30, 2023

    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.

  • This stream is open from November 1 - 30, 2023

    $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.

  • 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 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.

Soon to be Added!

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

Grantee Spotlight

  • Featuring Creation Grantees responses from Logan, Talitha, and Ray of the Inspiring Indigenous Youth Success Conference.

  • We are an Indigenous-led initiative helping womxn reconnect to ancient cultural teachings through providing access to education, resources and community.

  • The BIPOC2COP Project is a peer-support initiative, by and for BIPOC youth, launched in 2021 as a resource for Indigenous and racialized youth participating in the yearly United Nations climate change conferences. The project builds on over a decade of experiences from Indigenous, racialized, and youth climate activists in so-called Canada who have been advocating for climate justice in the yearly Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At these conferences, governments from around the world discuss global cooperation in the fight against climate change.

  • Safe Water Studios is a not-for-profit organization created in 2019 to support Indigenous youth artists and clean water solutions. We operate primarily in what is currently known as Ontario and host workshops that are available across so-called Canada. We aim to create a safe and fun e-space for Indigenous youth and youth artists to learn and create. Our group was formed by two Red River Métis artists Jacob and Garrett Vickery. This is the second project we have collaborated on with CRE.

  • Daughters of the Land is an Indigenous non-profit organization whose mission is to provide women, children of all ages, and at-risk youth with the opportunity to experience traditional and contemporary land-based education, language, and culture. Activities are conducted in safe, nurturing environments and help them cultivate a sense of identity. The Urban Youth and Families Food Sovereignty Project was aimed at providing urban youth and their families with education on food security and growing foods, as well as immersing them with land-based experiences such as hunting, fishing, gathering foods, and the many techniques used to preserve and sustain foods for long term storage.

  • The Foundation exists to ensure cultural documentation and promote the involvement of youth and Elders in cultural activities. We strive to inspire our people to proudly embrace their heritage, empower them to continue the traditions of our Ancestors, and restore the spirit of Mi’kmaq culture in Newfoundland and Labrador. This specific project focuses on hosting monthly arts and crafts workshops over zoom to bring together Indigenous youth from both on and off the island.

  • Our project is Season two of our podcast Spilling Labrador Tea Under Cedar Trees. Season 2 is titled: “Colonialism Around the World”, and we’ve been interviewing Indigenous youth from different parts of the world to learn about their colonial experience and cultural revitalization. So far, we’ve covered First Nations, Metis, and Inuit in Canada; then we interviewed folks from Korea and Mexico. Next up is Aotearoa (New Zealand), Zambia, and many more.

  • Future Artistic Minds is an affirming space where youth can explore and develop their creative practice. Having access to mentorship, equipment, and space to grow and learn has helped FAM youth artists to explore their identity, build their skills and uncover new career paths related to art

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