APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 18, 2026

Be a spark for community connection! Volunteer Toronto's Civic Spark Microgrant program provides $1,000 microgrants to resident-led groups, grassroots organizations, and informal collectives that are 100% volunteer-run to go towards projects that help build social connections and increase civic participation across the City of Toronto. The funded initiatives seek to create opportunities to activate neighbourhoods, animate public spaces, or bridge connections between people to increase a sense of belonging in our communities and address the growing challenge of social isolation. 

Applications open 

Virtual Info Session
Watch the Recording

Virtual Office Hours

for Applicants

Applications close

Grant recipients are notified and funds are distributed

In person event for 

funded micrograntees

Recipients publicly announced and initiatives can begin

All initiatives complete

Project reporting call deadline

Who CAN apply?

• Local community groups, grassroots and mutual aid collectives
• Individuals who apply must be associated with a group of at least three other individuals  
• Groups can be newly formed but must include the minimum number of individuals  
• Groups that previously applied and were funded by a Volunteer Toronto microgrant can apply again 

The lead applicant must:  

• Be 18 years of age or older  
• Reside in the City of Toronto  
• Be able to accept grant funds by cheque or electronic funds transfer  

Who CANNOT apply  

• Businesses or for-profit entities  
• Registered charitable organizations or incorporated non-profits  

Eligible Initiatives and Projects:

• Must take place within the City of Toronto (within one of Toronto’s Wards)  
• Must be completed by December 31, 2026  
• Can be a one-time event or a series of activities within the delivery period  
• Events must be free for participants and cannot generate revenue/raise funds  
• Must demonstrate that the initiative has the potential to bring people together, foster social connection, reduce social isolation and increase civic participation in the identified communities of concern 

Ineligible Initiatives:

• Multiple applications for the same initiative 
• Virtual-only initiatives. Hybrid projects with virtual and in-person elements are eligible.  
• Revenue-generating events (e.g. paid participation or fundraising)  
• Religious activities: faith groups are eligible to apply; however, activities must be open to all 

Volunteer Toronto is available to answer applicant questions during Zoom-based office hours. Click one of the buttons below to join an office hour and have your questions answered by a Volunteer Toronto staff member.

In our pilot microgrant program, some groups started clubs, community gardens or held block parties. Others ran healing circles, youth art exhibits and sustainability workshops. The projects were as diverse as the communities they engaged across Toronto. But one thing rang true—social isolation decreased. People met neighbours, made friends, and reported feeling less isolated. We invite Torontonians to dream up new and unique ways to connect people in their community beyond the examples shared below!

• Birthday party for seniors
• Community garden 
• Neighbourhood block party 
• Park clean-up 
• Skills sharing workshop 
• Neighbourhood walking tour or bike ride 
• Community sports tournament 
• Toy/food drive 
• Public space beautification
• Healing circle 
• Cooking workshops
• In person storytelling event

Canada’s volunteering rate has declined 8%. Specifically between 2018 and 2022, there was a 19% drop in the number of people that directly contribute to their community. Source: Statistics Canada.

Toronto ranks as among the loneliest places in the country. About 925,000 adults in Toronto (37%) felt lonely on at least three or four days in the last week in 2023—higher than the rest of the country (28%). Source: Toronto Foundation. 

24% of people looking to volunteer in Toronto right now want to meet new people and make friends. People use volunteering as an access point to finding belonging and social connection. Source: Volunteer Toronto. 

We believe that by increasing participation in group activities and resourcing volunteers to get involved in their own community we can curb the rising tide of social isolation. Engaging in your community with others can increase your wellbeing, expand your social support network, and have a positive impact on society as a whole. 

Civic Spark is generously supported by the following organizations and donors:

Laurence Goldberg & Diane Spivak Fund at the

Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto

Kanta Wadwan   

Patricia Fleming  

Kathy Killinger  

Lindsay Wolfson  

Lisa Douglas  

Kate Schatzky  

Horace Wright  

Nathan Geda  

Tony Nguyen  

Martin Casazza  

Vernis Cheung  

Polina Kosareva  

Anonymous donors 

Help Us Keep This Program Going! 

Make A Donation to Volunteer Toronto's Civic Spark Fund

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www.volunteertoronto.ca