Open Menu The 2021 TD Ready Challenge The TD Ready Challenge is our annual North American initiative, which has $10 million CAD in grants available to organizations developing innovative, impactful and measurable solutions for a changing world. This signature program created by TD is a key component to delivering on the bank’s corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment. In its fourth year, to be as responsive as possible, non-profits and community organizations can apply for grants ranging from $375,000 CAD up to $1 million CAD for Canadian organizations or $325,000 USD to $1 million USD for US organizations. The application period is now closed. To check out the fifteen 2020 TD Ready Challenge past grant recipients click on the "Recipients tab" to explore more. Challenge Overview Common Questions Recipients Each year, the TD Ready Challenge invites eligible organizations to submit applications that offer solutions for a problem statement that is connected to one of the four drivers of change of the TD Ready Commitment: Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. The 2021 TD Ready Challenge Problem Statement is focused on addressing predicted learning loss in math and reading for disproportionately impacted students in grades K-12 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Background The goal of the TD Ready Commitment has always been to help people feel confident about their future and help create opportunities to succeed in an ever-changing world. When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a public health crisis it quickly impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, creating unprecedented challenges for communities and making people feel less secure than ever before. The pandemic has not just been a health crisis. It has also had deep and dramatic social and economic impacts on communities. In response to the health and safety measures put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many schools in North America have been forced to temporarily close, or close and open on a sporadic basis, while simultaneously developing alternative ways of teaching. School systems were understandably overwhelmed and unequipped to respond when the pandemic emerged1. Research is predicting that students across North America will experience significant learning loss due to remote and virtual learning2. While there are numerous school subjects that are and will be challenged by this new learning environment, math and reading are of particular concern to teachers at this time3 Learning loss will not affect all students equally and a greater impact is being predicted for communities such as: Students from low-income households Students with limited access to internet Indigenous and Racialized students1 Students with disabilities4 Research predicts that remote and virtual learning may increase learning loss among disproportionately impacted students, who include those who do not have consistent access in the home to: Technology and the internet; A private space to study; Tutors; and Teacher supervision. While we are all hopeful that all students in North America will have an opportunity to return to in-person classes, learning has already been lost and innovative interventions will be needed to help students catch up and minimize future loss. Problem Statement Addressing Disproportionate Learning Loss: The pandemic has disrupted elementary and high school education across North America. The transition to alternative ways of teaching has created challenges for both students and teachers due to uneven implementation and unequal access to technology. That's why this year, the focus of the 2021 TD Ready Challenge is on supporting innovative solutions to address the predicted learning loss in math and reading for disproportionately impacted students in grades K-12 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Challenge How can your organization address the problem statement? The 2021 TD Ready Challenge seeks to provide financial support to organizations that have designed innovative, scalable and/or replicable solutions to help address the predicted pandemic-caused learning loss in math and reading faced by disproportionately impacted students in grades K-12 in communities across North America. The Grants As done for the 2020 TD Ready Challenge in order to help fund more solutions in response to the learning loss needs created by COVID-19, the 2021 TD Ready Challenge will continue with offering a total commitment of $10 million CAD, which will be available through one-time grants ranging from $375,000 CAD to $1 million CAD each for Canadian organizations and $325,000 USD to $1 million USD each for US organizations. for initiatives that address this year's problem statement. The application period is now closed We will have a clear preference for programs: That support disproportionately impacted students experiencing learning loss due to COVID-19 due to factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and geographic location. Have wide demographic or geographical reach in areas where TD operates. This includes all of Canada and specific states in the US (map and listing of eligible US states found here). Which will use the grant to scale and / or replicate solutions to additional communities or populations (or pilot projects with material evidence of viable success and scalability). Have a clear evaluation and measurement process to track impact. Where the organization has not received any funds or grants from TD of $250,000 CAD or $250,000 USD or more from August 31, 2020 through to and including August 31, 2021. Additional considerations include: We will not fund grant applications for initiatives that are not innovative in nature, meaning they do not enable new approaches. For example, initiatives that purchase educational materials or school equipment or whose purpose is to write research papers are not eligible. We will not fund grant applications for initiatives that are solely focused on technology supplies such as laptops, modems and other computer or computer-related devices, nor will we fund grant applications for internet access improvement plans including increasing internet speed and/or internet networks. As part of the application process, TD requires an understanding of the financial status of your organization. If your organization's audited statement(s) reflect(s) a recent deficit, please explain the reason for this deficit in your application. Please note that a deficit will not impact your eligibility for a TD Ready Challenge grant. Eligibility Criteria Programs presented in applications must deal directly with people and provide benefits to people and communities. Applicants can be Canadian, or US organizations as described below: The following are eligible to apply: The following are not eligible to apply: Challenge Structure and Calendar Important Dates Event September-October An internal TD North American Judging Panel will review applications and select applications to move into final round of reviews. November TD Ready Challenge finalists to be notified and next steps will be shared. December A TD North American Executive Judging panel and subject matter experts will assess applications that move into final round of review and determine the selected recipients. Mid-December 2021 TD Ready Challenge successful recipients will be selected and notified. Final Round Judging Panel A North American Executive judging panel will consist of TD executives and external subject-matter experts who will evaluate final applications and select successful recipients for the 2021 TD Ready Challenge. Legal Have a question about the TD Ready Challenge? 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