Youth Initiative Grants

This program supports young people up to age 25 to develop and run projects to improve their communities. Youth Initiative Grants are proudly supported by United Way, GenNext and Central Okanagan Foundation for Youth (COFFY).

Youth Initiative Grants Council

These grants are available to young people up to age 25 who are partnering with an organization to create positive change in their local community. The partner organization can be a school, church or charity and youth must reside in either the Central or South Okanagan Similkameen. All applications are assessed by a Youth Initiative Grants Advisory Council (2018 Council pictured at right) who decide which projects are awarded grants.

In partnership with

2018 Grant Recipients

Call Home, Enactus Okanagan College (Kelowna)
More LGBTQ+ Friends, Etcetera – The Bridge Youth and Family Services (Kelowna)
Hyphen Project Gardening Initiative, SD53 (Oliver)
Take Two, Interact Club as part of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo (Kelowna)

Intergenerational Computer Literacy, Peachland Wellness Centre (Peachland)
Silver Surfers, Enactus Okanagan College (Kelowna)
Women’s Shelter Clothing Drive, Aberdeen Hall (Kelowna)

2017 Grant Recipients

Enactus (Okanagan College) – Accelerate Youth

Enactus (Okanagan College) – Silver Surfers

Dragon Fly Pond Society – Uniquely Fashionable Fashion Show

University of British Columbia Okanagan – One Button Press

University of British Columbia Okanagan – Student Okanagan Film Festival

“The Uniquely Fashionable Fashion Show would like to thank the United Way Youth Initiative Grant for making this awareness and inclusion event possible. This amazing event allows individuals 0-25 years of age, the chance to create, promote and star in a fashion show. It brings families and the community together, for an exciting evening, to celebrate this amazing group.”

– Traci Fladager, Program Coordinator, Dragonfly Pond Family Society