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What we fund

  • Programs/projects focused on career development and career counselling for young people (ages 12-30) in Canada. As part of our strategic plan, we’re prioritizing support for initiatives that also have an emphasis on one or more of newcomers, Indigenous communities, and rural and remote communities.
  • Registered Canadian charities or nonprofits.
  • Early-stage initiatives

Before applying, read our Funding FAQs.

Submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI)

Applicants can submit an LOI via the online link below.

Click to submit a letter of intent to The Counselling Foundation of Canada

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your ideas, contact Ben Liadsky at 416-923-8953 ext. 121 or ben[at]counselling.net. Oral submission of LOIs can also be done by request.

Before submitting your LOI:

  • Consider what someone reading your LOI for the first time will think. Is the point you are trying to make clear?
  • Use plain language and avoid jargon.
  • If you use acronyms, identify them at first usage.

What we look for in a funding request

  1. Mission fit. Does the program/project strongly align with the Foundation’s goals and priorities?
  2. Reach. Can this program/project benefit multiple communities, either now or in the future? We support initiatives that may start small, but have the potential to grow.
  3. Community voice/Inclusion. Are the people affected by the project/program helping to shape it? For example, if working with an Indigenous community, who is leading this work?
  4. Partnerships. Are there formal collaborations in place that strengthen this work?
  5. Opportunity. Does the program/project introduce a new approach or expand an existing one? We fund early-stage initiatives that address challenges in fresh ways, such as testing a new model, using emerging technology, or applying traditional knowledge in new contexts.
  6. Budget transparency. Is the funding used wisely, and is it clear how the money will be spent?
  7. Leadership. Who is leading this work? One of our guiding principles is to support existing and emerging leaders.
  8. Sustainability. How likely is this project/program to continue after our funding ends?

The Foundation has a two-stage funding request process:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI)

The LOI outlines your program or project and can be submitted online or, if requested, through a phone or virtual conversation.

  • You may request funding for up to three years. Multi-year funding requires annual review and reporting.

  • You may include a short supporting document (less than 5 pages) of your choice with your LOI.

  • You can save your progress or use our LOI Template to draft your submission before copying it into the online form.

  • Once submitted, you’ll receive a copy of your LOI.

  • LOIs are accepted year-round and typically reviewed within 40 days.

  • Depending on fit and our capacity, you may be invited to submit a formal Funding Application.

Estimated completion time: 1 hour

2. Funding Application

If you’re invited to submit a formal Funding Application, our staff will provide a template and a submission deadline (usually one month before the next Board meeting).

  • Staff will review your application and may ask for clarifications or changes before presenting it to the Board.

  • We may also get confidential feedback from external reviewers.

  • Along with your application, you’ll need to submit a cover letter, budget, and audited financial statements. A letter of support is optional.

  • The Board reviews applications four times a year, and you’ll typically receive a decision within 48 hours.

Estimated completion time: 2–3 hours

Decision-making

Foundation staff are responsible for submitting Funding Applications to the Board of Directors. External reviewers provide confidential and anonymous feedback on the application to the staff and Board. The decision to award funding is made by the Directors of the Foundation. Submitting a formal funding application or providing additional information does not guarantee approval by the Board of Directors or signify preferred status for an application. The Foundation’s resources are limited so we cannot say yes to everything. Decisions made by the Board of Directors are considered final and not subject to appeal. Also, it remains the Foundation’s prerogative to cancel funding based upon an unsatisfactory project review.

The Counselling Foundation of Canada acknowledges the Huron-Wendat, Petun, Haundenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Mississauga Anishinaabe of New Credit share a special relationship to the territory in which our office is located. Toronto's long history of being a meeting place and centre of trade & commerce began thousands of years ago. Today, it is home to Indigenous Peoples from across Turtle Island and many who have come from away. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory and commit ourselves to learning the truth of our shared history and to engage in the process of reconciliation.

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© Copyright The Counselling Foundation of Canada 2025. All rights reserved. Registration No: 108079229 RR0001

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