YZD Scholarship Fund
With a long-term vision for the future of YZD and the broader city, Northcrest is committed to investing in people as much as place.
Launched in 2023, the YZD Scholarship Fund was created to support local students from around the Downsview area and help pave the way for brighter academic futures. Through the YZD Scholarship Fund , YZD is investing directly in young people who represent the next generation of leaders, creators, builders and innovators in the community.
There are three separate components to the fund, with support for students through the YZD Scholarship Program, the YZD-MCFN Education Program, and the One City Scholarship Fund. Read on to learn more about each one.
YZD Scholarship Program
The YZD Scholarship Program offers financial support to students pursuing careers in industries that shape how cities grow including construction, skilled trades, architecture, engineering, STEM, urban planning and project management.
Applying for the YZD Scholarship is straightforward and is designed for all students across Ontario.
Application opens: April 1st, 2026
Deadline: June 30th, 2026
Click below and apply by June 30th to take the next step in building your future.
The YZD Scholarship Program is already creating meaningful pathways for deeper engagement with YZD. Seven past recipients now work as YZD Ambassadors – supporting events and community programming – while another recipient has joined the Community Resource Group (CRG) as a youth representative – bringing a valuable student perspective to local discussions that enact real change. These outcomes reflect the broader vision of the work underway at YZD – creating opportunities that extend beyond scholarships and foster mentorship, leadership, and ongoing community collaboration.
Building Opportunity with MCFN Students
As part of a commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation, Northcrest has built a strong partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN), formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding that names MCFN as the Host First Nation to YZD and advances shared priorities in economic development, culture, and education.
Through the Education pillar of this work, the YZD–MCFN Education Program supports MCFN students pursuing post‑secondary education by helping remove financial and social barriers. To date, more than $20,000 has been awarded to seven MCFN students, contributing to long‑term academic success and opportunity.
Application opens: April 1st, 2026
Deadline: August 31st, 2026
Click below and apply by August 31st to take the next step in building your future.
Expanding Access to Opportunity
Created by local educators, including teachers from Downsview Secondary School, the ONE City Fund supports students across Toronto who have demonstrated excellence despite financial barriers, marginalization, and limited access to opportunity.
Since 2024, Northcrest has supported ONE City through more than $15,000 in funding for six students from neighbourhoods surrounding YZD. Two scholarship recipients have since joined Northcrest as YZD Ambassadors, supporting events and community programming. Since 2025, the YZD Experience Centre has also hosted ONE City’s annual awards ceremony, creating space to celebrate achievement and strengthen community connections.
Past Recipients
Hear from past recipients and how the YZD Scholarship Program has helped them make their mark.
