How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Grassroots Growth Program?

Grassroots Growth Program is funded by Government of Ontario, Ministry of Agriculture

What are Grassroots Growth Program's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or unincorporated association, including an Indigenous community or band council. The applicant must have the authority to enter into a legal agreement. The applicant must be in compliance with all requirements of law and agree to remain in compliance for the term of the agreement.

Grassroots Growth Program

grant_single|update April 19, 2025

ON, Canada

Funding for agricultural and rural community initiatives in Ontario

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grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

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grant_single|eligibleFinancing

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grant_single|deadlines

grant_single|openingDate August 18, 2021

grant_single|financingType

Grant and Funding

grant_single|eligibleIndustries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

grant_single|grantors

Government of Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture

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grant_card_status|open

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Get funding for short-term projects that will support the growth of Ontario’s agri-food sector, ensure sustainability of agriculture and promote the development of vibrant rural economies.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

Eligible provincial agri-food producer organizations may request up to 50% of eligible project costs for projects up to $100,000 in cost-share funding.
Projects that support more than one commodity may request additional funding, but not more than 50% of total eligible costs.
Combined federal and provincial government funding cannot exceed 100% of the project's eligible costs.

grant_single_labels|projects

Initiatives that increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food, and rural development.
Projects that build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement in the agri-food sector.
Activities that enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector.
Initiatives that strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems.
Projects that encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes, including education, outreach, extension services, tools and resources, agri-food events and collaborations, and activities to increase local food access and consumption.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 50,000

Development of a local farmers' market featuring organic produce

$ 60,000

Public awareness campaign on sustainable farming practices

$ 70,000

Development of an agri-tourism trail connecting local farms around Kingston

$ 75,000

Establishment of a youth-led cooperative farm

$ 45,000

Agricultural safety training programs for youth

$ 35,000

Introducing food safety management systems in schools across Mississauga

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The applicant must be a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or unincorporated association, including an Indigenous community or band council.
The applicant must have the authority to enter into a legal agreement.
The applicant must disclose all other possible sources of funding being provided or requested for the project.
The applicant must be in compliance with all requirements of law and agree to remain in compliance for the term of the agreement.
The project must support at least one of the following objectives: increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food, and rural development; build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement in the agri-food sector; enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector; strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems; encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes.
The applicant must demonstrate organizational and financial capacity to deliver the proposed project.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Corporations
Partnerships
Sole proprietors
Unincorporated associations
Indigenous communities
Band councils
Provincial agri-food producer organizations (for targeted local marketing projects)

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Projects for the sole benefit of a for-profit organization are ineligible.
Projects that are eligible under an active Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) intake or a publicized regular OMAFRA funding program are ineligible.
Projects whose sole purpose is to bring the applicant’s operations into compliance with requirements of law are ineligible.
Projects involving direct involvement of the Province of Ontario’s staff cannot be considered.
Projects that directly involve influencing and/or lobbying any level of government are not eligible.
Projects that support normal operating costs or commercial expansion of organizations/businesses are excluded.
Projects that are already receiving 100% total funding from other sources, including government and non-government, are ineligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Cost for purchase or rental of goods (including equipment, machinery, supplies) and related shipping and installation costs (capital costs considered on a case-by-case basis and must be minimal with rationale provided).
Direct staff salaries and benefits (excluding severance), pro-rated to reflect project-related work.
Third-party service costs (e.g., per diem fees), pro-rated to reflect project-related work (must specify costs such as translation, web development, printing, etc.).
Costs of land rental for research purposes.
Costs of rental of facilities.
Travel and meal costs (restaurant/prepared food only, no alcohol), considered on a case-by-case basis and must be essential and minimal.
Capital costs including machinery, equipment and installation, software development (implementation and customization), information technology equipment, installation, renovations, site improvements, leasehold improvements, building improvements, and construction.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Ontario

grant_single_labels|criteria

Project and applicant meet eligibility criteria; applications not meeting these basic criteria will not proceed to merit assessment.
Soundness of project concept and rationale, including demonstration of need.
Milestones and activities are incremental, clearly articulated, and aligned with the project goals.
Benefits of the project are well described, including identification of beneficiaries and how success will be measured.
The sustainability plan provides a detailed description of how the project will be sustained after funding ends.
Relevant experience in successfully completing projects of similar size and scope.
Governance and control structures supporting the successful completion of the project.
Knowledge sharing plan, demonstrating how knowledge/results will be shared with target audiences and how intellectual property will be managed (if any).
Project costs are reasonable and well-defined for each activity; includes supporting information on how costs are determined (such as quotes or previous project experience).
Demonstrated financial capacity to cash-flow the project.
Identification of cost-share funding from other organizations and sources to amplify the impact of potential provincial funding.
Scalability of the project, including budget and duration considerations.

grant_single_labels|apply

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The Grassroots Growth Initiative (GGI) guidelines are subject to change without notice; applicants should review the most current guidelines prior to applying.
Cost-share funding is strongly encouraged; applicants that secure financial support from other sources, especially confirmed non-provincial government sources, may receive additional merit consideration.
Applicants must disclose all sources of project funding—failure to do so may result in application or agreement termination.
Multi-year funding requests require a clear rationale and annual forecasting of budget and activities.
All costs claimed must be incurred after project approval and before/on the project completion date as specified in the agreement; costs incurred prior to this are at the applicant's risk and may not be reimbursed.
Successful applicants must enter into a formal funding agreement with the Province of Ontario and comply with all specified terms, including holding comprehensive general liability insurance with His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario named as an additional insured party.
Payments are based on project progress and reporting, and may be made incrementally as milestones are achieved. No payment is issued before agreement signature and meeting of all conditions.
Applicants may be required to provide access for field inspections or audits, supply accurate and timely information, and retain project-related records for at least seven years after agreement expiry or termination.
OMAFRA reserves the right to announce or publish information about funded projects, and applicants must provide 10 business days' notice for communications activities related to approved projects.
Applications cannot assign, charge, or use payments as security without prior written authorization from OMAFRA.
Applications may be disclosed to third-party external reviewers as part of the assessment process.
Eligibility may be revoked for providing misleading information, abusive behavior toward ministry staff, or owing debts to the Crown without a repayment plan.
Recipients are obligated to repay any funds received in error or for which they were not eligible, along with interest if notified.
Participation in the program may be subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Ontario), except for specific personal identifiers such as Social Insurance Numbers in certain cases.
Combined federal and provincial government funding must not exceed 100% of eligible project costs.