Northern Ontario Development Program — Youth Internships — Not-for-Profit

Hiring and mentoring young talent can be challenging for not-for-profit organizations in Northern Ontario, especially when budgets are tight. The Northern Ontario Development Program — Youth Internships — Not-for-Profit offers meaningful wage support to help organizations bring on a recent graduate while building skills that support long-term economic development in the region. Delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), this initiative helps offset the cost of employing a full-time youth intern in a structured, career-building role.

Through this program, eligible not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations in Northern Ontario can receive non-repayable funding covering a large portion of an intern’s salary and benefits, with total support reaching close to $60,000 over an internship period of up to 18 months. Additional support may also be available for training or equipment that helps the intern succeed in their role. The focus is on meaningful work experience tied to economic development priorities, with an emphasis on mentorship, skills development, and future employability rather than routine administrative tasks.

Demand for this funding is currently high, and availability may be limited, making early planning important. For organizations looking to strengthen their capacity while supporting young professionals in Northern Ontario, learning more about how this internship program works could be a valuable next step.