Peel EcoSchools Grant Program Application

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Applications for the 2026 Peel EcoSchools Grant are now open.

COMPLETE THE FORM NOW

Schools can apply for a grant of up to $500.00 (excluding HST). Applications will be accepted between Monday, January 26, 2026 and Monday, March 2, 2026.

TRCA hosted information sessions on January 21, 2026 for interested applicants to learn more about the grant. If you were unable to attend, you can view a recording of the presentation below.

The application deadline is Monday March 2, 2026. All applications will be reviewed in the order they are received following the deadline. We encourage you to apply early to be considered as there is a limited number of grants available.

Applicants will be notified on the status of their grant application by March 12, 2026.

About the Peel EcoSchools Grant

Summary

The purpose of this grant is to provide support to schools pursuing climate action activities that align with EcoSchools Canada certification.

Schools must achieve a Bronze level or higher EcoSchools certification in 2026 to be eligible for this grant.

Funds must be used for an activity that directly supports your school’s EcoSchools Canada Certification Application (ECA) and climate action.

This may include but is not limited to: materials, supplies, transportation, and in-school presentation costs.

Consider sustainability (locally made, reusable, low-waste, etc.) when making purchases, especially for items such as prizes or for an event/celebration.

We do not fund: sports equipment, donations to other organizations, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides.

Please check with your school board representative before applying if considering rain barrel or composter projects, as some do not approve of these types of projects.

For examples of projects funded in the past, check out our Peel EcoSchools Grant dashboard.

 

Grant Process
  1. Application:
    Complete and submit the application form below between January 26 and March 2, 2026. Applicants will receive a confirmation email indicating their application has been submitted. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please contact chara.eldebs@trca.ca.
    View a PDF preview of the form.

  2. Notification:
    All applicants will be notified by TRCA of their application status via email by March 12, 2026. Grant recipients can begin implementing their project related to their grant application once notified. Grant recipients are reminded to capture photos of the project in action (not just of the materials) and keep all related receipts for reporting.

  3. Progress Check-in:
    Grant recipients will be contacted via email in early April for a brief check-in on the progress of their funded project/activity. This will ensure projects are on track for completion and that the funds provided will be used. A response to the email is required to maintain funding.

  4. Final Report:
    Submit the online Peel EcoSchools Grant Report by Friday, June 5, 2026. Receipts or invoices and up to 3 photos of the completed and implemented project will be required for the final report submission.

  5. Funds Reimbursement:
    Total reimbursement amounts (up to $500.00 excluding HST) will be confirmed by TRCA via email within five business days of your final report submission. TRCA will issue reimbursement payments for purchases made directly to school boards. School boards will disperse funds to individual school accounts through internal accounting processes. Payments will not be made to individual schools.

 

Application Eligibility Criteria
  • Schools must be from Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) or Peel District School Board (PDSB).

  • One application is accepted per school.

  • Schools must have an active EcoSchools plan for the 2025-26 school year on the EcoSchools Certification Application at the time of the grant application submission deadline.

  • Schools must achieve a Bronze level or higher certification through EcoSchools Canada for the current 2026 school year to receive funding.

  • Funding must be applied exclusively to activities that support EcoSchools Canada certification, connect to climate action, and adhere to school board policies and guidelines.

  • Applicants must respond to a progress check-in email in April.

  • Activities associated with the grant must be completed before the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

  • All purchases associated with the grant must be made by June 5, 2026. Receipts must be included in the final report.

  • Only receipts dated between the date of grant approval and June 5, 2026 will be considered for reimbursement.

  • A final report must be completed and submitted by June 5, 2026 in order to receive reimbursement.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the funds to support multiple EcoSchools actions?
Yes! We are allowing up to 3 projects per grant. Please clearly describe each project and specify the EcoSchools action it aligns with. Make sure to include how you will use the funds for each action.

What kinds of projects do schools typically undertake with the money?
Examples of past projects that connect with EcoSchools actions include: gardening materials (soil, seeds), grow towers, composters, lumber for raised garden beds, reusable water bottles, transportation or workshop costs, outdoor benches for sit spots, reusable cutlery, binoculars, environmental literacy books, bird baths, trees, litter pickers, and school garden or anti-idling signs.

Can I claim the HST amount for the reimbursement?
HST is not eligible for reimbursement through the Peel EcoSchools Grant. Amounts submitted in the final report should exclude HST. To make the most of this grant, use pre-tax totals when calculating your budget in the application.

Can I use the funds to support a project that is already partially funded?
Yes! Please indicate that this grant is being supported by additional funds. This can be included in the “Describe your project” section.

What if we are implementing activities like planting our garden after June 5?
The hope is that by June 5, all planning is completed to ensure smooth implementation before school year ends. Please ensure all purchases have been made and shipped to your school before this date. For the report, please upload a photo of planning documents and purchased items. If your project is going to be implemented after the June 5 deadline, please contact chara.eldebs@trca.ca to let them know ASAP.

Where can I source plants or seeds native to Ontario?
The North American Native Plant Society has a listing of where to purchase native plants. Also refer to Peel Region’s fusion landscape plant list to verify species names when shopping for plants or seeds. For optimal survival of plants, check and inquire about the location of seed sources.

 

Need More Information?

Please contact:
Chara El-Debs, Coordinator
Community Outreach and Education
chara.eldebs@trca.ca

 

Peel EcoSchools Grant
Application Form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

To be considered for the Peel EcoSchools Grant Program, please complete and submit the application form below. Please submit ONE application per school.

Only schools that have met the eligibility criteria will be considered for the grant.

Applicants will receive an automated confirmation email indicating their application has been submitted. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please contact chara.eldebs@trca.ca.

Section 1 | School Information

School board:(Required)
 
Name of applicant:(Required)
 
School principal name:(Required)
 

Section 2 | Project Information

You may use the funding for up to three projects. If you choose to split the money, please list them separately and provide a description for each one. Guiding questions: : What is your project and how does it support your EcoSchools certification goals? What will your project achieve? Who is involved in your project? How will the funds support your project? If your project requires regular upkeep, what is your maintenance plan? (Please check with your school board rep if considering a rain barrel, vermicompost, or composter project.)
 
If you have multiple projects, list the action for each project. PLEASE REFER TO THIS LIST.
 
Select calendar icon to choose date.
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Select calendar icon to choose date.
MM slash DD slash YYYY
 
If you are funding more than one project (up to three), please describe each.
 
Which United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) does your project connect to? (Select all that apply)
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Please provide an estimate of costs for how you intend to spend the funds for your project. Include any associated costs, such as shipping (All purchases require pre-approval by TRCA; last-minute changes cannot be accepted):(Required)
Schools can apply for up to $500.00 (excluding HST) for the Peel EcoSchools Grant.
Use the plus sign (+) on the right to add more rows as needed.
Item Description
Quantity
Unit Price ($)
Amount ($)
 
 

Section 3 | Terms and Conditions

Please confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the following:

Only schools that meet the Application eligibility criteria will be considered for the grant. Reimbursement of up to $500.00 (excluding HST) will be provided for approved applications once the Applicant meets all conditions of the grant including receipt and approval of a final report including required financial documentation (receipts and invoices). Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will have sole discretion to determine whether these requirements have been met.

The relationship between TRCA and the Applicant is that of independent collaborators. Nothing in this Application shall be construed to create a partnership, joint venture, employment or agency relationship between the parties.

The 'Applicant' agrees to protect, indemnify, and save harmless TRCA, and its directors, officers, members, employees and agents from and against any and all expenses, damages, claims, suits, actions, judgments and costs whatsoever, including reasonable legal fees arising out of or in any way connected with a material breach of this Agreement by the Applicant or the negligent act or omission of the Applicant or its servants or agents, in connection with the exercise of its or their rights and obligations hereunder. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the expiry or termination of this Agreement.

Terms and Conditions(Required)
School Administrator Consultation(Required)
School Board Policies and Procedures(Required)
 
Personal information collected during this session is governed by and managed in accordance with the Municipal Freedom Protection of Privacy Act, and is collected to support the receipt of applications for the Peel EcoSchools Grant under the Conservation Authorities Act. Any questions regarding this collection activity should be directed to the Clerk and Manager, Policy, 5 Shoreham Drive, Toronto, ON, M3N 1S4, (416) 661-6600.