Frequently Asked Questions

Visit www.gogreenyouthcentre.ca/donate

Watch this 3-minute video. 


Here are six actionable grantmaking practices designed to help advance equity within the nonprofit sector.


Imagine Canada: Trust & Impact: Funders' Perspectives on Unrestricted Funding

We use the power of sports and education to drive positive change for underserved youth (ages 7 to 29).

We started as a grassroots schoolyard revitalization project in 2010 (see before and after), culminating in Canada’s first illuminated cricket and sports field at Valley Park Middle School (TDSB), one of Canada’s largest middle schools with nearly 1,200 students representing more than 50 languages. Today, we are a youth-powered organization focused on sports and education. 

Yes, we do. Our annual budget is less than $750,000 and we are youth-powered. 


Studies have shown that grassroots organizations have a significant impact on communities by effectively addressing specific, local needs, leveraging strong community trust and networks, and promoting civic engagement. 


At the same time, studies have shown that grassroots organizations suffer from chronic underfunding, particularly for core operations and post-project sustainability.

We got our name in 2010 when the Toronto District School Board approved the Go Green: Climate Change Action Plan, which authorized the creation of an Environmental Legacy Fund (ELF).​ This paved the way for a Senior Management Position, ​and the establishment of the Sustainability Office at the T​DSB. 


Today, “Go Green” reflects our commitment to sport, education, and championing environmental literacy.


We operate in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park and serve youth in the same communities and surrounding areas. FP and TPK are two of Toronto’s 31 Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs), identified by the City of Toronto as communities facing higher levels of inequity among the city’s 158 neighbourhoods.

Our staff team is a powerful reflection of the communities we serve. As of November 2025, our staff have an average age of 20 (median age 19), showing a deep connection to our youth. The majority of our staff start with us as program participants (some as young as 7 or as a Leader-in-Training at 14). In summer 2025, 96% of our 26 youth summer staff were hired directly from Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park. This model ensures program excellence and builds a sustainable pathway to employment for local youth.


Here’s an example story. 

Our programs are supported through a vital combination of grants, individual donations, and partnerships with schools, community organizations, foundations, and corporate partners. 


We manage the Go Green Cricket & Sports Field in a special partnership with the TDSB, where all permit revenues are used to support our free youth programs.


Please note: We do not receive core government funding and are not a United Way–funded organization. This makes every donation and partnership essential to our mission.

Yes. All our programs are offered at no cost to eliminate barriers to participation and ensure every young person can take part. 


We track registrations, participation, skills development, and youth feedback, and we work with partners to evaluate outcomes related to confidence, teamwork  and belonging.


You can read some of our testimonials here (coming soon).   

We are proudly accredited by the Ontario Camps Association, demonstrating our commitment to high standards of safety and program quality.


We mirror select TDSB policies and procedures to ensure best practices, as we primarily operate at TDSB sites.


We are actively pursuing accreditation with Imagine Canada to strengthen governance and operations.

We view rapid technological change as a call to action to focus on the skills that AI cannot replace. While technology helps streamline our internal operations, our programming is intentionally designed to cultivate human literacy. This includes fostering social emotional learning (SEL), developing skills like complex communication, teamwork, resilience, and empathy through sports and education. This ensures our youth are not just users of technology, but adaptable individuals ready to lead and thrive in a rapidly evolving, automated world, where these uniquely human competencies are most highly valued.

Go Green Youth Centre (GGYC) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization, while Go For It Youth Organization (GFIY) is a CRA-registered charity. This dual-entity model gives us flexibility and innovation in how we serve youth and our own operations. Although legally distinct, the two organizations are related: members of the GGYC Board also serve as members of the GFIY Board to ensure alignment in mission and accountability.


Read about the differences between a registered charity and a non-profit organization on this Government of Canada page. 


Professionals may also find this resource useful: Multiple Corporate Structures for Canadian For-Profits, Non-Profits and Charities to Enhance Flexibility + Impact. This is provided for information only and is not an endorsement.

Both organizations undergo independent annual financial audits to ensure transparency and sound financial management. You can reach out to us if you have further questions: hello@gogreenyouthcentre.ca.


You can view our financial statements here (coming soon).