Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ Youth

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Kindred Foundation Youth Mental Health Grant 2026

Supporting Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ Youth 

For a PDF of the information below: Youth Mental Health Grant 2026 - Supporting Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ Youth 

Background 

Kindred Foundation’s Youth Mental Health Grant started in 2022, providing financial support to Canadian organizations offering mental health services to Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth across the country. The goal of this component of the Youth Mental Health Grant is to ensure that Canadian organizations directly assisting Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth communities with their mental health have the funds they need to carry out their mission. 

*2SLGBTQ+: We use the acronym 2SLGBTQ+ but recognize that this does not fully encompass the beautiful diversity of identities.  You are all loved.

Overall Information 

• $150,000 CAD in total funding will be awarded to support Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth communities.

1. $60,000 CAD: ONE (1) grant will be awarded.

2. Up to  $30,000 CAD: Approximately THREE (3) grants will be awarded.

• Applications must be for the $60,000 grant or a grant up to $30,000. Applications for the $60,000 grant will not be considered for a $30,000 grant. 

• The grant duration is for one year. For awarded grants, if all funds cannot be used in one year, there is the possibility of a 6- or 12-month extension on the gift agreement. 

• Organizations that applied and/or received funding in previous years can reapply if eligible. 

• The supported initiative may be a project, program, etc. – the term “initiative” is used.

Eligibility 

1. A Canadian organization providing direct support to Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Canada through physical activity-based or arts-based initiatives that promote mental health.  *Please see the definitions and examples listed below.

a) This may be the entire focus of the organization or a specific initiative within a larger organization that has a wider mission.

b)  Preference is given to Black-led and/or 2SLGBTQ+-led organizations.

i)  If the applying organization is not Black-led and/or 2SLGBTQ+-led then there must be a clear illustration of partnership with one or both of these communities to ensure that services provided are informed and sensitive to the needs of these two youth communities.

2. Must be an organization with a Canadian charitable registration number or affiliated with one who can receive a donation for your organization (qualified donee). 

3. Maximum organizational budget of $2 million to focus on smaller-sized organizations.

*Definitions: 

• The definition of "youth" can be defined broadly. Youth, as defined by the Government of Canada, is considered to be from ages 15-34 years old. However, it is up to the organization as to what they classify as "youth."

• Physical activity-based initiatives use movement, exercise, or sports to promote physical and mental health.

• Arts-based initiatives use creative expression, such as visual arts, poetry, music, storytelling and performance to promote mental and emotional well-being.

Examples of physical activity-based or arts-based initiatives that promote mental health and wellness:

• Poetry workshops designed collaboratively by spoken word artists, educators and social workers to leverage the arts to provide a safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth to grow their confidence and mental health.

• An initiative that uses film creation and photography to guide Black youth through self-exploration and healing by creating safe spaces to discuss, de-stigmatize, and explore issues affecting youth mental health.

• An initiative designed to enable 2SLGBTQ+ and/or Black youth access to free sports programming to overcome barriers to physical activity and to connect youth with mental wellbeing mentors.

• Previously funded initiatives can be seen at the following link (please note that not all initiatives are eligible under this year’s grant criteria): https://www.kindredfoundation.ca/mental-and-physical-health/youth-mental-health-grant/grant-awardees

Non-Eligible Supports 

• Administrative costs exceeding 10% of the requested funding amount (not including staff costs)

• Initiatives not clearly and intentionally designed to support mental health outcomes

• General youth initiatives that are inclusive of, but not intentionally designed to meet the specific needs of Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth

• Education or awareness initiatives without direct participant/youth engagement

• Travel expenses (exceptions considered) 

• Research, events, fundraising, conferences, trade shows, or other related expenses 

• Capital funding or donor-advised fund campaigns 

• Political or lobby organizations 

• Initiatives where benefits occur outside of Canada 

Important Dates 

February 2, 2026:  Application window opens

February 11 at 1pm ET: Virtual Information Session (If you'd like to attend, please email us at info@kindredfoundation.ca)  

March 9, 2026 at 5pm ET:  Application window closes

Beginning of May 2026: Communication to applicants

Please email grant applications to: info@kindredfoundation.ca 

Required Proposal Content and Questions to Answer 

1. Organization Information: 

a. Name of organization 

b. Address 

c. Telephone 

d. Website and social media channels 

e. Canadian charitable number (if applicable) 

2. Trustee Organization (if applicable): 

a. Name of organization 

b. Address 

c. Telephone 

d. Website and social media channels 

e. Canadian charitable number 

3. Main Contact Person 

a. Name of contact person 

b. Pronouns (optional) 

c. Role/responsibility (relationships with organization) 

d. Telephone Number 

e. Email

4. Additional Contact Person(s) (if applicable) 

a. Name(s) 

b. Pronouns (optional) 

c. Role/responsibility (relationships with organization) 

d. Telephone Number(s) 

e. Email(s)

5. Description of the Initiative 

a. Initiative name 

b. Description 

c. Start and end date of the project (if applicable) 

d. Geographic area(s) served (e.g., national, provincial – please specify) 

e. Timelines and project plan (if applicable) 

f. Roles and responsibilities of the individuals involved

6. Initiative Goals and Objectives 

a. How do the goals and objectives of the initiative help to support success? What are the short and long-term objectives? 

b. How does this initiative address the mental health needs of Black and/or 2SLGBTQ+ youth communities? 

c. How does this initiative illustrate characteristics of innovation and sustainability to address community need? 

7. Partners 

a. If applicable, who are the stakeholders and/or project partners, and how are they involved? 

b. How are youth involved in the design, implementation and/or evaluation of the initiative?

8. Evaluation 

a. What evaluation methods and measures will be used to understand the successes and challenges? 

b. What evaluation methods and measures will be used to understand the initiative’s outcomes on the mental health of participants?

c. What is the project team’s vision of success? 

9. Requested Budget 

a. Organizational budget 

b. Breakdown of the initiative’s budget, including the total amount requested 

• It is recommended that 10-20% of the budget is allocated to program evaluation

c. Please provide a copy of your organization’s most recent annual report 

Application Details 

Please make sections 5-7 no more than 3 pages in length. If applicable, references, figures and other supporting documents can be provided in addition to the main proposal in an appendix. If desired, we are also happy to accept proposals in different formats (e.g., video).  

You will receive a confirmation email when your application is submitted. We may reach out to you with questions and clarifications if needed. Once the final funding decisions are made, all applicants will be contacted.

The Youth Mental Health Grants are decided in a competitive review process. All applications are reviewed by a committee made up of members from Kindred Foundation, It Gets Better Canada and the Black Health Alliance. Ad hoc reviewers may be invited depending on the proposals submitted for review. Any conflicts of interest related to the grant review committee members and the applications will be carefully discussed prior to the start of the review meetings. Grant review committee members will be required to recuse themselves from voting if the committee deems that a conflict of interest is in place.

Successful applicants will also be asked to:

1. Begin work within 6 months of receiving the funds.

2. Submit an interim and/or end-of-year report on how the funds were spent and how they made a difference. 

3. Allow information about the initiative to be shared on Kindred Foundation’s website. 

4. Provide images or other materials that can be shared by Kindred Foundation (e.g., for social media, annual report, etc.). 

5. Return unused or remaining funds.

Please email grant applications to: info@kindredfoundation.ca

For any questions or more information, please contact: 

Leah Monette

Program Manager, Kindred Foundation

leah@kindredfoundation.ca