One way to deepen your EcoSchools program is to raise funds for an exciting project, and sometimes you need a little help from organizations that provide dedicated funding for schools. Working on funding applications is a great way for EcoTeams to use creativity, writing, and leadership skills.

Tips to get rolling:

  • Add the grant deadlines below, as well as any others than you find, to your Yearly Planner.
  • In your next EcoTeam meeting, research and identify grants your school may be qualified for. 
  • Think creatively: many granting bodies accept video or other multimedia submissions. If your EcoTeam is keen on flexing their artistic skills, identify grants open to non-written submissions.

Three winter grants:

  • Green Apple School Program: launched by Metro in 2012, this program promotes healthy eating habits among youth. The Green Apple School Program awards five hundred $1,000 grants every year to Ontario schools. NOTE: to be eligible, schools must be located within a 30-km radius of a Metro or Food Basics store. Applications are accepted year-round.
  • RBC Blue Water Project Community Action Grants: since 2013, the RBC Blue Water Project has supported community efforts to protect and preserve water in urbanized areas with populations of more than 10,000 people. Examples of successful grants include stormwater management, water capture and reuse (e.g. rain barrels for watering school gardens), and restoration of waterways.
  • TD Friends of the Environment Foundation: The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs. Schools can apply for funding for a variety of projects – including building an outdoor classroom, planting a pollinator garden, and running a Bioblitz program. Deadline: January 15, 2018.

Searching for more ideas? Visit our Funding Opportunities page for a full list of seasonal funding and grants with rolling deadlines.