Opportunities and Grants

Please note that having received a number of applications over the past 6 months, these criteria have been updated. They are not intended to be prescriptive, but rather to provide a clearer understanding of the purpose of the grant and the application process, ensuring the support from the McCall McBain Foundation helps those who need it most. 

Participants: Young people participating in the Award are eligible to receive up to $750 in funding, to support an activity they wish to use for their Award. This grant can be used for any section of the Award with a focus on deepening a participants leadership skill by taking part in or establishing an activity that has the ability to change their or other people lives. Apply today!

Award Centres: Are you looking to support young people in your Award Centre fulfil their passions? The Changing Lives Activity grant is also available to adult mentors seeking financial support for the activity costs of their participants. Award Centres are eligible for up to $2500 in support. Please note this grant cannot be used for general activities except where all funding is directed to those who are Award participants.  Please follow this link to apply now.

Grant Criteria: This grant is prioritized for individual young people who can show an economic need or other circumstances that show that without support this life-changing activity would not be attainable. Simply undertaking an the Adventuruous Journey is not assumed to be “life-changing” in and of itself. A grant applicant must show why a specific activity (in any section) is otherwise beyond their means AND how it will impact their lives. 

The grant is only to be awarded to those who have shown previous commitment in completing their Award activities, either at their current or previous levels. The grant cannot be given for activities at another level than the one at which the participant is registered. 

Where groups are considered to be eligible for a grant, they must show how the activity benefits participants who would not otherwise be able to take part in the activity and how the activity has impacted the lives of key members of the group. If approved, applicants will need to share an Award in Action story and photos that demonstrates the personal impact of the activity on their personal development. Where a group’s application is approved, the individual participants and the leader must submit personal Award in Action stories that demonstrates personal impact of the activity on their personal development. You can share your story by filling out this form.

Please note: This grant cannot be used for Award registration fees.

• Applications are for Licensed Award Centres. If you are a participant, we encourage you to speak with your Award Leader. Your Award Centre will be able to provide support in the planning of your Adventurous Journey.
• If you are approved for the grant, all individual participants and you on behalf of your Award Centre, must each submit an Award in Action story that demonstrate the impact of this grant on the success of your Adventurous Journey and acknowledge the support of Award Canada and the RBC Future Launch and Tech for Nature program in any social media posts or materials related to your Adventurous Journey. Please note that this is mandatory to receive the grant.
• All applications are welcomed but preference will be given to those who are helping young people from the following communities: Women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, underserved populations, indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, newcomers, low socio-economic status, rural and remote individuals.
• These funds can be used to cover the fees for transportation from the Award Centre to the Adventurous Journey location, to purchase or rent equipment, food and/or site/accommodation fees.
• An Award Centre can apply for up to a $1,000 grant.
• If you are approved for the grant, all individual participants and you on behalf of your Award Centre, must each submit an Award in Action story that demonstrate the impact of this grant on the success of your Adventurous Journey and acknowledge the support of Award Canada and the RBC Future Launch and Tech for Nature program in any social media posts or materials related to your Adventurous Journey. Please note that this is mandatory to receive the grant.
• Your Award Centre will acknowledge the support of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada (The Award Canada) and the RBC Future Launch and Tech for Nature program in any social media posts or materials related to your Adventurous Journey.