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.
Eligibility
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 who decide which projects are awarded grants.
This Council is made up of members of GenNext and the COF Youth Committee.
In partnership with
How to Apply
The 2021 Youth Initiative Grant applications are now closed and have been awarded. Watch for the release of next years applications in early 2022! If you have questions about Youth Initiative Grants, please contact Sherry at sherry@unitedwaysibc.com.
2021 Grant Recipients
The Youth Initiative Grant recipients for 2021 are:
- Amazing Race, CRIS Adaptive Adventures
- Composting Project, Okanagan Mission Secondary (Central Okanagan Public Schools/SD #23)
- Increasing Inclusion and Awareness through Arts, South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services
- Penticton Overdose Response Project, UBC Okanagan Campus Health in collaboration with Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy
- Westside Learning Centre Farm Initiative, Central Okanagan Public Schools/SD #23
2020 Grant Recipients
Green Screen, Enactus Okanagan College
Repair of old tech equipment for use by students in need or in Silver Surfers Program
Adaptive Scavenger Hunt, CRIS Adaptive Adventures
Outdoor and adventure event empowering youth with disabilities.
Youth Advisory Council, YMCA Okanagan
Youth leadership council developing engagement opportunities for local youth members.
“Project Green Screen focuses on environmental sustainability and repurposing neglected technology. With the involvement of youth from schools in the community, we are able to teach the importance of re-using and recycling technology. The funding received from the Youth Initiative Grant will allow us to refurbish a greater amount of technology. This will further provide more technology for those unable to gain access to the technology they need.”
Isaac Hossmann, the student project manager of the Green Screen – Enactus Project.
Latest News
Record response for local Youth Initiative Grants
April 19, 2021 – Every year, the Central Okanagan Foundation and United Way’s GenNext put out a call for applications for youth-led projects that support people or programs in the community. This year proved to
Local Youth-led programs receive funding
June 18, 2020 – This spring, the Central Okanagan Foundation and United Way’s GenNext contributed $6,000 to support three youth led projects based in the Central Okanagan. These grants are available to young people up
Community Youth Led Projects Receive Local Funding
Photo shown above: The Youth Initiative Grant committee – left to right: From Central Okanagan Youth Initiative Grant Volunteers - Amanda Shatzko, Wyatt Slattery, From GenNext Kelowna volunteer Board - Julianne Kublik, Heather McColl, Kayla
Operation Take Two invited to pitch on CBC’s Dragon’s Den
UPDATE - The Operation Take Two team have arrived back home from their whirlwind adventure in Toronto to pitch their project on CBC's Dragon's Den. The team states "We are not allowed to disclose what