Supplies for Success: Back to School

Eligibility

We provide supplies to north and remote Indigenous communities in Canada.

For the purposes of this program, True North Aid defines Indigenous as status and non-status First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Peoples living in Canada, both on and off-reserve, urban and rural settings. 

Applications must demonstrate that a functioning Community Committee has (or will be) established to ensure equitable distribution and guidance from a variety of community rights-holders.

Eligible Applicants:

• Educators
• School staff and employees
• Educational authorities

Ineligible Applicants:

• Individuals not applying on behalf of a school or educational authority

To ensure inclusivity, applications must include all students withinin a classroom.

Application

Applicants may apply for supplies through the application portal on the True North Aid website. To improve an application success rate, please make sure to review the Back to School Application Guidelines thoroughly and fill out the application with as much detail as possible. Once submitted, our Outreach Manager will be in touch with you regarding your application.

Please allow four weeks following the application deadline to receive a final response regarding your application status. Please note that we are unable to discuss the status of your application during that time.

Review Process

All applications will be reviewed by our Programs team and decided based on: 

• Demonstrated need
• A transparent process of how recipient students are determined
• A plan for equitable distribution
• Meeting eligibility requirements, as stated above 

Communities who have recently received Back to School supplies from True North Aid or other organizations will not be considered at this time.

Please note that due to budgetary constraints, True North Aid cannot fulfill every request.

*True North Aid defines ‘north and remote’ as communities that are in the northern regions of Canada (north of 55° latitude, approximately), and/or more than two hours from a city or town with:

• a hospital; 
• access to specialized care and support services; 
• big box stores and grocery stores;
• other essential goods and/or services

Please note, exceptional circumstances can be made based on need.

*The purpose of a Community Committee is to ensure equitable representation from a variety of community members. As such, members should represent diverse rights-holders within the community. Members should include a minimum of three individuals, with at least one member being in a position of leadership which could include, if applicable:

• A band council or band office staff
• A member of an elder’s council
• City/Community Council and/or its staff
• Educators and Principals of Schools in the Community
• Education Authority Members and Staff 
• Health and Nursing Station Staff
• Social and Community Services Directors and Staff

Other committee members can be individuals from the community. 

*True North Aid’s Charitable Objects are as follows:

1. To advance education by providing books, equipment and educational aids to students in Northern Indigenous communities;
2. To relieve poverty in Northern Indigenous communities by providing food, clothing, shelter, sustainable solutions and other basic necessities of life to individuals and families who are poor, of low income, or in need;
3. To provide publicly available scholarships and educational programs for the benefit of Indigenous youth;
4. To support reconciliation efforts through programs that promote meaningful cross-cultural exchanges, respect for diversity and inclusion, and national awareness about the ongoing impacts of Canada’s unique history for Indigenous people, particularly in the most northern and remote areas in the Country; and
5. To undertake activities ancillary and incidental to the attainment of the above-mentioned charitable purposes.

Written Agreement and Feedback

If successful, applicants will be required to sign a written agreement outlining commitments and responsibilities of being a True North Aid supplies recipient.

Included in the written agreement is the requirement of providing True North Aid with feedback, such as testimonials, photos, and letters. As a charitable organization, True North Aid relies on donor funding that is often inspired by communicating the incredible work carried out in the Indigenous communities we partner in supporting. By applying, you agree that True North Aid can share your initiatives with our audiences. 

Please note, we will not share any private information such as location, names, or photos without expressed permission.

Quarter One

• Applications Open: February 16th, 2022
• Applications Close: March 18th, 2022

Quarter Two

• Applications Open: April 18th, 2022
• Applications Close: June 17th, 2022

Quarter Three

• Applications Open: July 1st, 2022
• Applications Close: September 16th, 2022

Quarter Four

• Applications Open: October 1st, 2022
• Applications Close: December 16th, 2022