James E. Baillie Awards and Grants
The James E. Baillie Awards and Grants support and celebrate young people in The United Church of Canada, within the Regional Councils TUCC serves.
Established in honour of James E. Baillie, these funds recognize the contributions young people make through volunteer service while also providing financial assistance to young people experiencing financial need.
There are two separate opportunities, with different purposes, eligibility requirements, and application periods.
James E. Baillie Needs-Based Grant
The James Elwood Baillie Needs-Based Grant provides financial assistance to United Church youth and young adults aged 13–35 who are experiencing financial need. Grants may support education and training (university attendance and courses exempted), basic necessities, and participation in church-related events or training.
Up to $1,000 per recipient
Who can apply: A minister or member of a United Church of Canada community of faith, in the region council areas TUCC serves, nominates a youth or young adult who is a member, adherent, or regular attendee of a United Church of Canada community of faith.
Application period: February 1–March 31
Grants issued: Spring
The Needs-Based Grant is intended to provide financial assistance based on individual circumstances. Recipients are not publicly named.
Baillie Volunteer Service Awards
Celebrating young people who make a difference
Established in 2014, the Baillie Volunteer Service Awards recognize United Church youth and young adults, ages 13–35, and who are members, adherents or regular attendees of a communities of faith within the regional councils TUCC serves, for their commitment to volunteer service.
Young people receiving the awards have made a difference in many different ways — from assisting with food banks and community meal programs and providing leadership to church youth groups, to participating in community development projects and creating their own service initiatives.
The awards provide an excellent opportunity for congregations to lift up the many ways young people are living out their faith through service, leadership and action in their congregations and communities.
The Award
Twelve awards are presented each year. Each award provides an outstanding volunteer certificate and a cheque for $1,000.
Who can be nominated?
Nominees must:
- be a United Church youth or young adult between the ages of 13 and 35
- be a member, adherent or regular attendee of a community of faith
- demonstrate a commitment to volunteer service
- be nominated by a member of a United Church community of faith within the regional councils TUCC serves
Application period: May 1–June 30
Award recipients announced: September-October
Celebrating our Baillie Award recipients
The Baillie Volunteer Service Award is a great opportunity for communities of faith to recognize young people whose service, leadership, and commitment are making a real difference.
Each year, TUCC presents this award to the new recipients chosen and shares their stories with the wider United Church community.
2026 Baillie Award Recipients
Charlie Bolton – Norval United Georgetown, Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Francis Adu Gyamfi – New Vision United, Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Azrael Hackshaw – Emmanuel United Hamilton, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council
Makenna Haldenby – Lucknow United, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council
Avery Harris – North Runnymede United, Shining Waters Regional Council
Christian Karuhanga – Uganda Martyrs United, Shining Waters Regional Council
Benjamin Parkinson – Grace United Sarnia, Antler River Watershed Regional Council
Florence Powell – Port Nelson United, Horseshoe Falls Regional Council
Ruwani Seevakireedam – Tamil United, Shining Waters Regional Council
Jabari Sezirahiga – Hope Springs United, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council
Blessing Tiriwepi – St. Paul’s United Thunder Bay, Canadian Shield Regional Council
Abigail Walker – Port Elgin United, Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council
Before you apply
Please read the guidelines for the opportunity you are interested in before beginning your application or nomination.
The Needs-Based Grant and the Volunteer Service Awards have slightly different eligibility requirements, purposes, and application periods.
Needs-Based Grant: February 1–March 31
Volunteer Service Awards: May 1–June 30
Applications and nominations are submitted through the TUCC Grant Portal.
You may save your application or nomination and return to it later through the portal. Be sure to submit it before the applicable deadline.
Questions?
If you have questions about eligibility or which Baillie opportunity may be right for you or someone in your community of faith, please contact us.
Ali Hayes
Mission Impact and Communications Lead
ali@tucc.ca