Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Olive Tree Foundation (OTF)

Olive Tree Foundation (OTF) is a Canadian charitable endowment foundation established in 2004. It promotes community development by collecting endowed and flow‑through funds and distributing the resulting income as grants to Canadian registered charities and as scholarships and bursaries to students. Operating from Markham, Ontario, it positions itself as a flexible philanthropic vehicle serving both donors and community organizations.

The foundation manages several types of funds, including community funds, field of interest funds, donor‑advised funds and flow‑through funds. Community funds and field of interest funds allow OTF to respond to emerging needs and priorities, while donor‑advised funds give contributors an ongoing advisory role in where grants are directed. Flow‑through funds are disbursed quickly to qualified donees or used for operating costs, ensuring timely support for pressing initiatives.

OTF supports a wide spectrum of charitable activities in Canada. Its principal sectors include social, community and health services; education and library services; policy institutes and think tanks; and arts, culture and heritage. Within these broad domains, current priority areas of funding include equity, inclusion and community well‑being; youth development and education; civic engagement; and environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Grants are awarded to organizations that hold charitable registration with the Canada Revenue Agency or are sponsored by a registered charity. The foundation emphasizes projects that improve quality of life, address systemic inequalities, promote anti‑racism and anti‑Islamophobia, build youth leadership, strengthen civic literacy and engagement, and encourage environmental responsibility.

The grants page outlines a multi‑stage process: applicants first complete a Project Introduction Form by a stated deadline, after which the Grants Committee reviews proposals for alignment with OTF’s mandate and priorities. Shortlisted projects are invited to submit a full grant application. Final awards are determined by the Board of Directors and its Grants Committee, based on available funds and the demonstrated community value of each initiative.

OTF specifies that it does not fund deficit reduction, routine operating expenses, individuals, or general fundraising campaigns. Instead, it focuses on project‑based initiatives, including innovative or emerging efforts that might otherwise “fall between the cracks” of traditional funding programs. Grant recipients are expected to practice sound fiscal management, complete interim and final narrative and financial reports, acknowledge OTF’s support publicly, and accommodate site visits when feasible.

In addition to project grants, Olive Tree Foundation administers scholarships and bursaries for students entering full‑time studies at colleges and universities. Named awards such as the Mohamed and Opheera Nasir Scholarship, the Faisal Ali Scholarship, and the Shamimuddin Siddiqi and Farida Siddiqi Scholarship recognize leadership, academic excellence, social conscience, and activism against Islamophobia and other forms of racism. The awards page lists recipients over many years, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to supporting youth and emerging scholars.

OTF’s mission is to promote and sustain philanthropy while enhancing community life through responsible grantmaking in Canada, enabling communities to realize their full potential. Rooted in the Islamic waqf tradition of endowment, the foundation seeks to act as a catalyst for community initiatives, manage funds in accordance with Islamic financial principles, encourage innovation, and operate in an open, ethical and accessible manner.

The organization publishes annual reports and an investment policy, underscoring its attention to transparency, governance and long‑term stewardship of endowed assets. Guided by civic and community leaders, it leverages partnerships with charities, universities and community groups to maximize the impact of its grant and scholarship programs nationwide.