Trent University Gives $900,000 In Grant Funding to Youth-Led Community Impact Projects

To foster youth leadership and equip young Canadians with meaningful life skills and experiences, Trent University’s new Impact Microgrant Program has distributed $900,000 in grant funding from the Government of Canada’s Canada Service Corps (CSC) to support student—and youth-led projects that address community needs across Canada.

Intending to award 180 microgrants by spring 2027, the Impact Microgrant Program has already distributed nearly $40,000 in support of youth-led initiatives. Photo courtesy of Trent University.

This joint initiative is led by the Office of Student Affairs and Careerspace at Trent, the Impact Microgrant Program. It is for Trent students, non-Trent students and community members aged 15-30 to receive up to $5,000 to help them lead small-scale, innovative community service projects they conceive. 

“The Impact Microgrant Program is a catalyst for social innovation and long-term civic engagement, empowering young people to work in partnership with local organizations to bring fresh, community-focused ideas to life,” said Glennice Burns, associate vice-president of Trent International and Careerspace. “We look forward to supporting diverse and meaningful projects that will emerge from this program, creating positive and visible change across our region and growth for the individuals who lead them.” 

Early projects feature efforts to empower black children in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, foster cultural connectivity within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and create inclusive outdoor spaces in Peterborough.

Successful program participants will also complete 15 hours of coursework to earn a complementary micro-credential in leadership and project management from Trent.

This program is a new iteration of Trent’s previous Impact Leadership Program, which facilitated hundreds of students' volunteer community service placements with organizations such as Special Olympics, United Way and the Kawartha World Issues Centre.

“When young people are given the chance to make a difference, they gain more than experience. They develop confidence, compassion, and sense of purpose that will serve them well in their academic, professional, and personal lives, while also enriching the communities they serve,” said Lawrence Lam, associate vice-president, Students.

Applications for the program’s next intake are being accepted until May 26. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.