Frequently Asked Questions

The Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Fund was established to support emerging Indigenous youth leaders creating meaningful change within and beyond their communities. 

The Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Fund has supported various types of projects implemented by Indigenous community leaders. For example, the grant has supported upcoming artists with studio fees and music videos, documentary film makers with hosting premier events, artists to purchase supplies for community murals, youth workers to host community games, shows and gatherings, entrepreneurs to buy supplies for their business, youths to purchase supplies for school clubs and host feasts for elders, and many more projects. 

If you have an idea but aren’t sure how to get started, you can always schedule a call with our Grant Administrative team by emailing us at [email protected]. 

To be eligible for the Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Fund you must:

• Identify as First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit and reside in Canada
• Be between the ages of 15 and 35
• Have not received a Samuel Youth Leadership Fund grant within one calendar year
• Must be in good standing (no reports overdue) with all TakingITGlobal programs

Yes! You can still apply without a Status Card for the Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Fund. However, you will still be asked to provide a government ID or a bill with your name and address on it. The application will also ask you if you identify yourself as First Nations, Métis or Inuit and the community you are from.

You can apply for grant funding anywhere from $500 to $2,500. Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, we request that you apply for the grant amount you require to complete your project, but we may ask you to adjust plans if there are limited available funds.

Priorities are given to new applicants who have not yet received grant funding from the Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Fund in prior years.

As past grant alumni, you can reapply with a new project idea or expand on the growth of the project that was funded by the grant. You also need to be in good standing with Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Fund and other TakingITGlobal programs, which include but is not limited to successfully completing the project, report submission, timely communication, etc.

Applications are approved on a rolling basis. The typical approval process from submitting an application to approval takes about 30 business days. Due to the high demand for the grant and limited grant funds available each calendar year, we encourage you to apply for the grant as early as possible in the calendar year.

You will hear back from the Grant Administrator team within 5 business days of submitting your application with the next steps of the approval process. Please note, that the approval process includes a mandatory onboarding call with the team.

Your project must start and finish within 3 months of your grant approval. 

We also understand some projects require a long timeline to plan and complete. You can request a longer timeline in your application if required. 

Yes, we understand that due to unforeseen circumstances you may have to change your project idea. You must email the Samuel Connected North Youth Leadership Team about the new project idea and the reason for the change, along with the re-evaluated budget and new project timeline.

The grant funding is distributed over two installments. The first installment of 70% of the grant funding is distributed after signing of the grant agreement and the second installment of 30% of the grant funding is distributed after a successful mandatory mid-term check-in call.

All grantees must have a mandatory mid-term check-in call and submit a final report. 

The mandatory mid-term check-in call takes place halfway through the project timeline. During this call, you will have the opportunity to share project progress made and review any obstacles with the Grant Administration team. You are also required to submit pictures and any receipts for purchases made so far. 

The mandatory project report is to be submitted within 15 days of completing your project. For your report, you need to submit photos of your project activity and remaining receipts for purchases made.

If you have more than $10 in remaining funds, please return the funds via e-transfer to [email protected], using the password youthleadershipfund and include your name in the memo.

Alternatively, you can mail a cheque to our head office:

TakingITGlobal

212-117 Peter Street

Toronto, ON M5V 0M3

If you have less than $10 in remaining funds, feel free to purchase coffee or a small gift card for your community reference or a volunteer.