What is the No One Left Behind Subsidy?
Scouts Canada’s No One Left Behind subsidy program strives to ensure every child has the opportunity to maximize their potential. Every youth deserves the opportunity to build their character by means of the Scouting movement to become good citizens better prepared for success in the world.
Scouts Canada believes all Canadian youth should have the opportunity to participate in Scouting.
We believe each and every young person can make a meaningful contribution to creating a better world!
Scouts are recognized around the world as community ambassadors. Our Scouting Community recognizes that the differences each individual has to offer is an asset, diversity is an asset. Cost should not be a barrier. We want Scouting to be available to all Canadian youth across our country, regardless of circumstance.
What is changing with NOLB funding this year (2025-2026)?
Scouts Canada has made important changes to the No One Left Behind (NOLB) program as we respond to the lasting financial impacts of COVID-19 and continue working to eliminate our structural deficit.
For many years, NOLB has helped make Scouting more accessible by offering two types of financial support for families:
Registration Subsidy – to help cover annual registration fees;
Participation Subsidy – to help with additional costs like uniforms, camps, and outdoor activities.
The demand for the No One Left Behind (NOLB) program has consistently outpaced available funding, and we are taking steps to ensure its long-term financial sustainability. We’re incredibly grateful for the donor-directed contributions we’ve received over the years, which have averaged between $150,000 and $200,000 annually. Even so, it's important to acknowledge that funding levels vary vastly from year to year. This year, we are anticipating a lower amount, closer to $75,000. This variability makes it increasingly difficult to sustain both subsidy streams.
To support the long-term sustainability of the program while managing resources responsibly, the NOLB budget for FY26 has been set at $500,000.
As a result:
The Registration Subsidy now has an annual funding limit. Once the budget for the year has been fully allocated, the program will be paused until it resets at the start of the next registration year.
The Participation Subsidy will not be offered for the time being, so we can focus limited funding on the Registration Subsidy and continue supporting access for as many families as possible. We recognize the impact of this change and will continue to review the program in the coming years.
While these changes are challenging, they allow us to continue supporting families in need while building a more financially sustainable future for Scouting in Canada.
Will NOLB registration support still be available?
Yes. Families who qualify will continue to receive financial assistance toward the cost of registration.
Key details:
Support will continue to be based on Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).
Families who qualify will continue to receive funds towards their child’s annual registration fee.
The subsidized amount received per registration will be reduced to ensure as many young people can benefit from a registration subsidy as possible.
The NOLB Registration Subsidy now has an annual funding limit. Once the budget for the year has been fully allocated, the program will be paused until it resets at the start of the next registration year.
We encourage early registration for families who may benefit from this support.
Is the NOLB Participation Subsidy still available?
The Participation Subsidy which previously helped families cover costs like uniforms, camps, and outdoor gear has been discontinued. This difficult decision was made so we can focus our limited funding on the Registration Subsidy, helping as many young people as possible access the program.
We understand this change may be disappointing for many families, and it was not made lightly. While we continue to evaluate the program in the coming years, we’re committed to helping families to helping families explore alternative support options.
Is there information on how much NOLB funding have youth received in 2023-2024 Scouting Year?
Scouts Canada has distributed $1,074,860 in membership subsidies in the Scouting Year 2023-2024. In addition to that, $100,574 has been issued to youth from low-income families to assist with participation costs such as uniforms, weekend camps, outdoor equipment or program materials.
Do 100% of the donations made to No One Left Behind go directly to the youth?
Yes! 100% of funds go towards covering costs for youth!
How does Scouts Canada determine if a family qualifies?
The needs test will apply Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) metric that is updated annually. LICO is used by many service providers and levels of government to determine recreational subsidies. LICO calculates financial need based upon a family’s size (number of family members) and household income.
For more information on LICO, please visit Statistics Canada Low Income Cut-offs.
Can families who do not fall within the LICO metric qualify based solely on unique circumstances?
Potentially yes. There is an exception's process in place that ensures that youth are not denied a Scouting experience should unique circumstances exist. This is done on a case-by-case basis. If your family is experiencing financial hardship that is not necessarily reflected in total family income, please provide details with associated extra costs along with your and your child's personal information to helpcentre@scouts.ca and one of our team members will be able to assist.
How can I apply for NOLB towards Registration Fee?
Applications for the No One Left Behind registration subsidy are submitted during the registration process and are processed immediately. You can register your youth in Scouting Here.
After logging in into your MyScouts account and clicking on Register My Child option on the left under My Menu, proceed to JOIN SCOUTS for registering. Then select the Apply for Subsidy option within the registration process to submit your NOLB application.
You will be asked for the following information:
If you qualify, you will see an instant message confirming that subsidy has been approved and it will be automatically deducted from your registration fee on the check-out page.
What can Groups do to support families given the changes to funding?
Scout Groups can continue to support families in meaningful ways:
- Offer flexible payment plans, such as allowing registration fees to be paid in monthly installments (e.g., over 3 months).
- Set aside a portion of Group budgets to assist families facing financial barriers.
- Help families apply for community-based subsidies (see below).
While not required, these Group-led solutions can help ensure every youth has the opportunity to participate in Scouting.
What other funding options are available for families?
There are several third-party and local funding programs available across Canada:
Jumpstart (Canadian Tire)
Program that provides financial assistance to help families access organized activities such as Scouting.
KidSport Canada
Supports access to organized sports and recreational activities for children.
Other Community Resources:
Local school boards
Municipal or provincial youth grants
Faith-based organizations or service clubs (e.g., Rotary, Lions)
Groups are encouraged to help identify and guide families to these opportunities.
How can youth be registered using 3rd party subsidy?
Whether a Group can offer a flexible payment plan or assistance with allocating funds from the 3rd party subsidy provider, a Group Billing Code (GBC) will need to be requested by the Group and then used by the parent to complete youth's registration. Full information on GBCs can be found on the Group Billing Codes help centre article.
Where can I find additional support or direct families for help?
Contact your Scouting Relationship Manager (SRM) or Group Support Scouter (GSS) for help navigating individual cases.
What should I tell families who are disappointed or confused by these changes?
It’s okay to acknowledge the disappointment these changes may cause, especially for families who have relied on NOLB support in past years. Emphasize:
- Scouts Canada’s ongoing commitment to affordability.
- The availability of registration subsidies, even if reduced.
- The value of alternative supports through local resources and Group-led initiatives.
- That support is still available, we’re just working together to do it differently.
DONATE HERE
How can my Group contribute to NOLB?
Groups are able to contribute to No One Left Behind by including donation of a portion of proceeds from fundraising activities to the cause. Every child should have the opportunity to experience Great Safe Scouting Adventures!
Still need help? Please feel free to contact the Scouts Canada Help Centre:
