Open
Grassroots Growth Program
Support for Ontario agri-food and rural initiatives
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Deadline
- Open continuously
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Overview
Grassroots Growth supports Ontario initiatives that strengthen the agri-food sector and rural communities. Funding may cover projects focused on public engagement, youth leadership, safety and risk management, public trust, and rural development outcomes, with up to $100,000 available for targeted local marketing projects.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $50,000
- Maximum share of project costs
- 50%
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Ontario
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
- Legal structures
- For-profit business, Sole proprietorship
Start applying for this program
Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Corporations
- Partnerships
- Sole proprietors
- Unincorporated associations
- Indigenous communities and band councils
Who is not eligible
- Projects that are solely for the benefit of a for-profit organization
- Projects that are already fully funded by other sources
- Projects that only bring operations into compliance with legal requirements
- Projects eligible under an active OMAFRA intake or regular funding program
Eligible expenses
- Purchase or rental of goods, including equipment, machinery and supplies, plus shipping and installation
- Direct staff salaries and benefits for project work
- Third-party service costs such as translation, web development and printing
- Land rental for research, facility rental, travel and meals when essential
- Some capital costs, including machinery, equipment, software and IT-related improvements
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that do not support at least one GGI objective.
- Projects already eligible under an active OMAFRA intake or regular funding program.
- Projects solely benefiting a for-profit organization.
- Projects whose sole purpose is legal compliance.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Activities funded
- Increasing public engagement and support for agriculture, local food, and rural development.
- Building youth leadership capacity and increasing youth involvement in the agri-food sector.
- Enhancing safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector.
- Strengthening public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems.
- Encouraging agri-food and rural development outcomes.
How to apply
- Step 1: Request application instructions
- Email ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca for instructions on how to apply.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Include a detailed project design, rationale, organizational capacity, work plan and financial capacity information.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Send the application following the instructions provided by the program.
- Step 4: Receive confirmation and review
- Watch for the automatic email confirmation of receipt from Transfer Payment Ontario.
- If confirmation is not received, contact the program using the provided support channels.
Documents Needed
- Detailed project design
- Project rationale and expected benefits
- Organization capacity information
- Work plan with activity timeline
- Detailed activity-based budget
Selection criteria
- Alignment with GGI objectives
- Project merit and anticipated impact
- Project concept, rationale and need
- Clear milestones, benefits and sustainability plan
- Reasonable costs, financial capacity, governance and cost sharing
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission and an automatic receipt confirmation is sent by email.
- Ministry staff assess the application against eligibility and merit criteria.
- The minister makes the final approval decision.
- Successful applicants must sign an agreement with the Province of Ontario before funding is released.
- Payments are tied to project progress and reporting, and the ministry monitors delivery.
Additional information
- Guidelines may change without notice.
- Only one GGI funding allocation is available per project.
- Successful applicants must sign an agreement with the Province of Ontario before funds are released.
- Successful applicants must register through Transfer Payment Ontario.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grassroots Growth Program Program
What is the Grassroots Growth Program?
Grassroots Growth supports Ontario initiatives that strengthen the agri-food sector and rural communities. Funding may cover projects focused on public engagement, youth leadership, safety and risk management, public trust, and rural development outcomes, with up to $100,000 available for targeted local marketing projects.
How much funding can be received?
Grassroots Growth Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Grassroots Growth Program program?
To be eligible for the Grassroots Growth Program program, you must:
Corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or unincorporated association
Authority to sign a legal agreement
Project funding sources disclosed
What expenses are eligible under Grassroots Growth Program?
Purchase or rental of goods, including equipment, machinery and supplies, plus shipping and installation
Direct staff salaries and benefits for project work
Third-party service costs such as translation, web development and printing
Land rental for research, facility rental, travel and meals when essential
Some capital costs, including machinery, equipment, software and IT-related improvements
Who can I contact for more information about the Grassroots Growth Program?
You can contact Government of Ontario by email at ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-877-424-1300.
Where is the Grassroots Growth Program available?
The Grassroots Growth Program program is available the province of Ontario.