Quick Facts

1. What is the Youth Challenge Fund?

The Youth Challenge Fund is a special purpose charitable trust fund that brings together government and privately-raised funds in a common purpose: to achieve a lasting improvement in the lives of youth by mobilizing the community’s resources in support of young people, and investing in the most effective programs. A community Board, chaired by Toronto Argonauts CEO Michael Clemons, governs the Fund.

2. How was the Board appointed?

The Board has official representatives from the Government of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and the Fund’s trustee, United Way. But the bulk of board members are community members selected by the Board Chair, Michael Clemons. Every attempt was made to develop a community board that has the necessary range of skills, experiences and perspectives to govern the Fund, and to reflect the diversity of perspectives and communities who live in Toronto, and particularly in the priority neighbourhood areas.

3. What is the role of the Trustee?

United Way of Greater Toronto is the trustee of the Fund. The trustee is responsible for providing professional, technical, and administrative services to the Board. This includes research, community engagement, assessment of applications for funds, support to the Board, and financial administration.

4. Is funding restricted to the 13 priority neighbourhood areas?

The agreement establishing the Board stipulates that programs funded by the Youth Challenge Fund will be primarily focused on the 13 priority neighbourhood areas determined by the City of Toronto’s Strong Neighbourhood Strategy.

5. Can individuals donate to the Youth Challenge Fund?

Yes. Individuals who wish to make donations to the Youth Challenge Fund may do thorough our secure online donation system, or they can send donations to United Way of Greater Toronto, marked Youth Challenge Fund, or call 416-777-2001.

6. Will the Youth Challenge Fund be sustainable? How will it make a long-term difference in neighbourhoods?

The Youth Challenge Fund is a three-year commitment. Multi-year funding is permitted, if the Board chooses to do so. The Province of Ontario has also indicated its willingness to participate in an evaluation of the programs funded by the Youth Challenge Fund, for the purposes of consideration of ongoing funding. The Board is determined to build the long-term capacity of the youth-serving sector.

August 18, 2006