Open
Grassroots Growth Program
Support for Ontario agri-food and rural initiatives
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Open Date : August 18, 2021
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.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : August 18, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Projects 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
- Projects that enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector
- Projects that strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
- Projects that encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes
Documents Needed
- Detailed project design
- Project rationale and expected benefits
- Organization capacity information
- Work plan with activity timeline
- Detailed activity-based budget
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
- Application preparation costs and consultant fees for preparing the application
- Lobbying costs and activities
- Normal operating costs, commercial expansion, and compliance-related costs
- Land, building, facility, and vehicle purchases
- Costs incurred before approval or after the project completion date
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
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.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grassroots Growth Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Grassroots Growth Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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.
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?
Projects 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
Projects that enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector
Projects that strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
Projects that encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes
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.
Is the Grassroots Growth Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Grassroots Growth Program is a Grant and Funding