Choosing the right charity for your YPI project is a big decision. It needs to be an eligible organization, one that your team agrees on, and, most importantly, one you’re passionate about. We’re here to help you with that! Dive into our tips on how to research charities, what makes a charity eligible for the YPI grant, and how to creatively connect your interests with the charities you discover. Don’t forget to check out our charity directories to kickstart your search and ensure your choice meets all YPI requirements.
What is a Social Issue?
Social issues arise when people in your community face barriers to having what they need for a healthy and independent life—whether that’s financially, emotionally, physically, socially, or mentally. These issues affect individuals, families, and communities, creating problems that prevent your community from working well for everyone. You have many social issues to choose from, including but not limited to:
• Mental Health
• Support Animals/Welfare
• Political Instability
• Food Insecurity
• Senior/Elder Care
• Education/Literacy
• Child & Youth Development
• Refugee/Newcomer Support
• Indigenous Culture & Rights
• LGBTQ+ Inclusion
How do I find a social service charity in my community?
The internet is a great tool for research, but you may need to go beyond Google to find all the charities in your community. Keep in mind that smaller organizations might not have the same online presence as bigger ones, but they could benefit even more from the public awareness you can bring. Plus, they often do some of the most interesting work! At the bottom of this page, you’ll find links to national and regional charity databases, but don’t be afraid to take your search offline. Community centers, libraries, places of worship, and your school guidance office can also be valuable resources.
SELECTING A CHARITY
Nationwide Directories:
Regional Directories:
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Alberta: Inform Alberta, 211 Alberta
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British Columbia: Red Book Online (BC 211)
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Ontario: 211 Ontario
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New Brunswick: New Brunswick Community Services Database
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Quebec: 211 Quebec Regions
Is it a registered charity?
In Canada, all registered charities have a charitable registration number (it will look something like 123456789RR0001). You can use the search tool on the Canada Revenue Agency website to double-check that an organization has charitable status.
Is it local?
Make sure your chosen charity provides services to people within your community or city. Local chapters of larger organizations are fine, as long as they operate within your area. Ask yourself, “If someone heard this presentation and wanted to volunteer or use this charity’s services, could they?” Sometimes people need to travel a bit for specialized services, so if it’s reasonable to think someone in your community would travel to use the services, that counts as local.
Does it provide a social service?
Social service charities address social issues and inequalities by directly providing basic needs or support to people. Some charitable sectors that don’t meet YPI’s granting criteria include:
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Medical research/equipment (Health-related charities that provide social services for people and families living with illnesses are eligible, such as special camps, arts therapy, counseling, etc.)
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Environmental sector (Charities that provide services to mitigate the human impact of environmental/climate issues are eligible, e.g., settlement for climate refugees, clean water access)
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International aid/development organizations
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Animal sector (Charities that involve animals in providing social services to people are eligible)
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Charities that don’t provide direct services but focus only on research, advocacy, and/or public awareness
What if the charity I’m interested in isn’t eligible?
If your first choice isn’t eligible, don’t worry—there’s probably another charity that matches your interests. Explore different options, like those using animals for therapy or those connected to healthcare facilities offering social services. Sometimes, a little creative thinking can help you find a charity that both excites you and meets the YPI criteria.
What should my team say when we call our chosen charity?
Review the practice scripts and sample emails we’ve provided to help you communicate professionally with your chosen charity. The key is to be respectful, polite, and clear about why you’re calling and what you need. It can be nerve-wracking to phone a stranger, but remember: these are people who help others every day—they’re usually very kind!
What do we do when we visit our charity?
Prepare your interview questions ahead of time, and use this opportunity to dig deeper into how the social issue affects the people they serve, how the charity approaches its work, and how current events or politics might impact their mission. Always ask for permission before taking photos or recording video, and take good notes. Be sure to review our guide to preparing for your charity visit and interview.
And remember—safety first! Let your parents/guardians know where you’ll be, and if you’re visiting during school hours, follow any guidelines your school has about informing teachers.
The charity my team chose hasn’t called us back/can’t meet with us. What should we do?
Always have a backup plan. If you can’t connect with a charity, act quickly and reach out to another one on your shortlist. Remember, charities can be very busy or have limited staff, so they may not always be able to meet with students.
How should my team follow up with our charity after our presentation?
Show your appreciation by thanking the charity for their time. A card or gesture goes a long way. If your talents can help meet some of the charity’s needs, consider volunteering. Students who stay involved often create more compelling presentations. And don’t forget—YPI judges consider how you’ve used your skills and time to help your charity, so every bit of effort counts.