Funding Research Volunteer for Our Grants Team – Try Toronto (Remote)

Emerging Leaders Placement Project

Are you detail-oriented, enjoy research, and want to help fuel a movement building newcomer belonging? Try Toronto is seeking 3 dedicated volunteers to research and identify grant opportunities for our growing community programs.

As a Funding Research Volunteer, you'll help our grants team discover and track funding opportunities that can support Try Toronto's mission of building emotional connection and belonging for newcomers. Your research will directly enable our team to write stronger grant applications and secure funding for our approximately 10 monthly community events and growing programs.

This is a perfect opportunity to develop grant research skills, understand the nonprofit funding landscape, and contribute to securing resources that help newcomers fall in love with Canada.

Commitment:

• Type: Ongoing flexible volunteer opportunity

• Schedule: Flexible based on your availability

• Hours: Approximately 2 hours per week

• Format: Fully remote

• Volunteers Needed: 3

• Focus: Grant research and eligibility review

• Deliverable: Grant tracking spreadsheet maintenance

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

• Comfortable with research and online database searching

• Ability to read and understand grant eligibility criteria

• Organized approach to tracking information

• Reliable and consistent work quality

• Interest in nonprofit funding and grant landscape

• Comfortable using Google Sheets or similar tracking tools

• Basic understanding of nonprofit programs (will learn)

• Strong written communication for accurate note-taking

Key Responsibilities:

• Grant Opportunity Research

  • Search for grant opportunities relevant to Try Toronto's programs

  • Use online databases (GrantStation, Charity Village, foundation websites, etc.)

  • Identify grants matching our nonprofit focus and programs

  • Search for both large and small grant opportunities

  • Look for grants at local, provincial, and national levels

  • Identify recurring and one-time funding opportunities

• Eligibility & Deadline Review

  • Review grant eligibility criteria carefully

  • Assess whether Try Toronto meets all requirements

  • Note any specific eligibility requirements or conditions

  • Identify submission deadlines and review dates

  • Flag time-sensitive opportunities

  • Verify application requirements and documentation needed

• Grant Tracking & Documentation

  • Log all qualifying grants into Try Toronto's tracking spreadsheet

  • Record grant name, funder, deadline, amount, and eligibility summary

  • Create clear, organized notes on key requirements

  • Include direct links to grant postings and application pages

  • Flag grants by priority level and timing

  • Update tracking sheet with status as grants are reviewed/applied

• Research Quality & Communication

  • Ensure accuracy of all information recorded

  • Provide context for why each grant is a good fit

  • Highlight any unique opportunities or strategic value

  • Note any special considerations or conditions

  • Communicate findings clearly to grants team

  • Ask questions when criteria are unclear

• Ongoing Learning & Collaboration

  • Familiarize yourself with Try Toronto's programs and mission

  • Understand funding priorities and focus areas

  • Coordinate with grants team on ongoing needs

  • Stay current with new grant opportunities

  • Suggest improvements to research process

  • Support grants team with any additional research needs

What You'll Gain:

• Hands-on experience with grant research and funding landscape

• Understanding of nonprofit funding and grant eligibility criteria

• Knowledge of grant databases and research resources

• Mentorship in grant strategy and funding development

• Experience supporting the grants and fundraising process

• Shoutouts and recognition on Try Toronto's social media

• Networking opportunities with our grants and leadership team

• Letter of reference and certificate of volunteering from Try Toronto

• Direct impact on securing funding for newcomer programs

• Skills in research, analysis, and nonprofit operations

• Contribution to enabling Try Toronto's mission and growth

• Portfolio experience in grant research and funding development

About Try Toronto (Try Canada Initiative):

Try Toronto, operating as Try Canada Initiative, is a growing community organization founded in 2023 dedicated to helping newcomers fall in love with Canada by building genuine emotional connection and belonging. In 2025 alone, we reached over 1,600 community members through approximately 10 monthly in-person events including curated tours, volunteering activities, trips, and other engaging formats.

Our Challenge: Social isolation among immigrants is directly linked to higher likelihood of leaving Canada within 5 years, lower community participation, slower economic integration, and higher rates of mental health challenges. Many recent immigrants arrive with education and credentials but face a fundamental barrier: the crisis of belonging.

Our Growth: As Try Toronto expands its programs and impact, we need funding to support our growing community of staff, volunteers, and programs serving newcomers across Toronto.

Grant Strategy: Our grants team is working to identify and apply for funding that supports our mission of building emotional connection and belonging for newcomers. Your research will help us discover opportunities that align with our programs and can fund our growth.

Our Vision: Where belonging isn't luck—it's designed.

Additional Information:

• Fully remote – work from anywhere

• Flexible scheduling – 2 hours per week is manageable

• Access to grant databases and resources (or guidance on where to find them)

• Support and feedback from Try Toronto's grants team

• No grant writing required – just research and documentation

• Training provided on Try Toronto's programs and priorities

• This opportunity is accessible and inclusive

• Great for those interested in nonprofit funding and grant development

• Opportunity to learn the fundraising landscape

• Potential for increased involvement as organization grows

Ready to Help Fund a Movement of Belonging?

By volunteering as a Funding Research Volunteer with Try Toronto, you'll help identify the resources that enable our team to support newcomers. Your research directly supports grant applications that bring funding to our community programs. Together, we're building a movement where belonging isn't luck—it's designed. Help us fund the future of newcomer integration in Canada.

Apply

Click "Apply" or if you have questions,

Email: leaders.wil@gmail.com 

Subject: Funding Research Volunteer for Our Grants Team – Try Toronto (Remote)