Grassroots Charity A Million Acts of Love Launches Youth Grants

A new grassroots charity named A Million Acts of Love has launched its inaugural youth grant initiative, aimed at empowering young people to pursue social impact projects. Established in memory of Felix Townsin‘s sister, Lexi Townsin, who passed away in 2019 due to complications from Blau syndrome, the foundation is dedicated to fostering creativity and community engagement among youth worldwide.

The foundation’s first round of micro grant applications opened on December 16, Lexi’s birthday, and will continue until May 2026. The initiative aims to support children and young adults aged six to twenty-four, providing them with the opportunity to pitch their ideas for community improvement. Felix’s mother, Cheryl-Lynn Townsin, emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment for applicants. She stated, “I want it to be barrier-free for youth to apply. I want them to feel comfortable and ask questions.”

Through their volunteer-driven board, which includes experienced members from various fields, the foundation seeks to ensure transparency and trust in the funding process. The board is chaired by Felix’s father, Troy Townsin, with other key positions held by Meredith Campbell-Jess as vice chair, Michael Strang as treasurer, and Liz Luxton as secretary. Trish Glab, who brings two decades of experience as the director of admissions at Royal Roads University, is instrumental in building the reviewing committee.

The foundation offers three distinct grant application streams to cater to different age groups: ages six to twelve, thirteen to eighteen, and nineteen to twenty-four. This approach not only acknowledges the varying needs of applicants but also recognizes that older students often have more developed ideas but face financial constraints due to tuition and living expenses.

The geographical reach of the foundation extends beyond its Canadian roots. Applications have already arrived from across North America, as well as countries like India and Kenya. “The goal from the start was worldwide love,” Cheryl-Lynn noted, reflecting the foundation’s vision of expanding its impact globally.

The ideas submitted by applicants demonstrate a wide range of social concerns. Some projects aim to foster community spirit, while others focus on pressing issues such as environmental conservation, healthcare, and food security. One particularly notable proposal involves developing an app to connect homeless youth with vital resources, alongside documentary projects that address identity struggles. Cheryl-Lynn expressed her excitement about the breadth of applications, stating, “It’s just amazing the spectrum of applicants we’ve had. Every one of them is so exciting to read.”

The foundation’s commitment to supporting youth-led initiatives is clear, and it invites young people from around the world to share their visions for positive change. Those interested in applying can find resources and application forms online at lexislegacy.com/a-million-acts-of-love-2. The second intake of grant applications will open following the initial round, furthering the foundation’s mission to inspire and uplift youth through innovative projects.

As the A Million Acts of Love Foundation continues to grow, it remains dedicated to honoring Lexi’s legacy while empowering a new generation of changemakers.