- What is the No One Left Behind Subsidy?
- What is changing with NOLB funding this year (2026-2027)?
- Is the NOLB Participation Subsidy still available?
- Do 100% of the donations made to No One Left Behind go directly to youth?
- How does Scouts Canada determine if a family qualifies?
- Can families who do not fall within the LICO metric qualify based solely on unique circumstances?
- How can I apply for NOLB towards Registration Fee?
- What can Groups do to support families given the changes to funding?
- What other funding options are available for families?
- How can youth be registered using 3rd party subsidy?
- Where can I find additional support or direct families for help?
- How can I contribute to NOLB?
- How can my Group contribute to NOLB?
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 worldwide as ambassadors of community. Our Scout community recognizes that the differences each person brings are an asset, diversity is an asset. Cost should not be a barrier. We want Scouting to be available to all young people in our country, regardless of their circumstances.
What is changing with NOLB funding this year (2026-2027)?
Scouts Canada is committed to continuously improving the No One Left Behind (NOLB) program to ensure that as many youth as possible can participate in Scouting, regardless of financial circumstances.
Over the years, NOLB has helped make Scouting more accessible by offering financial support for families through:
Registration Subsidy – to help cover annual membership fees
Participation Subsidy – to help with additional costs like uniforms, camps, and outdoor activities
Following changes made in FY26 to support the long-term sustainability of the program, Scouts Canada carefully reviewed feedback, program data, and the real experiences of families. We recognize that last year’s adjustments had a greater impact on members than anticipated.
As a result, we are pleased to introduce several improvements to the No One Left Behind Registration Subsidy for the 2026–27 Scouting year.
To better support families and increase access to Scouting:
The total NOLB funding pool will be increased for Scouting Year 2026-27.
The maximum subsidy available per youth will also increase.
Families with the greatest financial need may receive up to 50% off the annual membership fee.
These changes aim to support approximately 2,000 more youth than were supported in FY26.
Support will continue to be assessed using Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) guidelines to ensure assistance reaches families who need it most.
The Registration Subsidy will continue to operate within an annual funding allocation. Once the available funds have been fully distributed, the program will pause until the start of the next registration year. For this reason, families who may benefit from the program are encouraged to apply early.
At this time, the Participation Subsidy will remain paused so that available funding can be focused on helping more youth access Scouting through the Registration Subsidy.
Scouts Canada remains deeply grateful for the generous contributions from donors who help make the No One Left Behind program possible. We will continue to review and strengthen the program to ensure it remains sustainable while supporting as many young people as possible.
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 explore alternative support options.
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 support@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 Support Centre article.
Where can I find additional support or direct families for help?
Contact your Group Support Scouter (GSS) for help navigating individual cases.
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:
