Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant (2025-26)

• The applicant is a registered charity, a not-for-profit corporation without share capital, a First Nations band council, a First Nations tribal council or a First Nations education authority, properly registered/incorporated by December 31, 2023 where applicable.
• The organization is operational in Ontario on November 13, 2025 and uses a non-residential indoor facility in Ontario (or holds a valid event permit for eligible 2SLGBTQQIA+ annual cultural gatherings).
• The organization holds gatherings of religious, spiritual or cultural significance at least once a month as part of its regular activities, or is a 2SLGBTQQIA+ organization that primarily holds 2SLGBTQQIA+ annual cultural gatherings with a valid event permit.
• The applicant is compliant with Canada Revenue Agency filing and reporting requirements (where applicable) and attests compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and hate-related laws under the Criminal Code.
• The project activities and expenses are focused on eligible safety, security and anti-hate capacity-building measures, with all funded costs incurred between November 13, 2025 and August 31, 2026.

Who is eligible?

• Religious and spiritual organizations and communities (for example, mosques, synagogues, temples, churches)
• Cultural organizations and communities, including 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups and traditional culture programs, workshops and ceremonies
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous organizations and communities (such as ceremonial lodges, friendship centres, Indigenous schools and education authorities)
• Faith-based or cultural private educational institutions, including elementary and secondary schools, private postsecondary institutions and career colleges
• Faith-based or cultural service providers, including licensed child care, health care, youth care, social services, housing, long-term care and arts organizations

Who is not eligible

• Sports organizations, sports teams and clubs primarily focused on recreational, athletic, hobby or games-related activities.
• Organizations whose main activity is holding organizational or administrative meetings only (for example, boards of trade or bodies that primarily meet to award cultural grants).
• Publicly funded elementary and secondary schools, as defined under Ontario’s Education Act.
• Public postsecondary institutions, including public universities, public colleges and specified federated or affiliated institutions covered by the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000.
• Organizations whose primary purpose is to advance a political cause, or that engage in hateful practices, incite hatred or violence, contravene criminal law, or that are Crown corporations, municipalities, for-profit organizations, libraries or individuals.

Eligible expenses

• Interior and exterior security upgrades carried out by qualified, licensed service providers (for example: reinforced doors and windows, security window film, intercom and public address systems, alarm and lock systems, fences, gates, lighting, cameras and relocation of cameras, motion detectors, signage, fire alarm systems, landscaping that improves security, anti-graffiti sealant and graffiti removal).
• Construction, renovation and installation costs directly tied to security improvements, including contractor fees, labour, equipment rental and renovations to entrances, lobbies or other areas to enhance building security.
• Closed circuit television (CCTV) systems and components, including exterior cameras, digital video recorders, monitors and all associated installation materials and accessories.
• Immediate, short-term security services to prevent or respond to hate‑motivated incidents, such as hiring licensed security guards through a licensed third‑party agency or paid duty police, and urgent repairs or reinforcements to facilities.
• Cybersecurity and technology upgrades that strengthen the organization’s protection and response capacity against hate‑motivated incidents (for example, systems, tools or configurations that improve digital security).
• Professional security assessments and emergency planning services, including consultant reports, advisory fees, and the development of security policies and procedures.
• Education and training for staff, volunteers and community members on preventing and responding to hate‑motivated incidents, including first aid, mental health awareness, de‑escalation, conflict avoidance, violence prevention, Incident Command System courses, legal rights, cybersecurity and hate‑crime awareness provided by qualified training organizations.
• Honoraria for First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers, up to $250 for a partial day (three hours or less) or $500 for a full day.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations operating in the province of Ontario, Canada.

• Step 1: Review program documents and deadline
  • Read the AHSP 2025-26 Applicant User Guide and the program terms and conditions.
  • Optionally watch the online information session recording to better understand the grant and application process.
  • Note the application deadline: submit your application on or before December 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
• Step 2: Gather required organizational information
  • Confirm the legal name of your organization (registered charity, not-for-profit corporation without share capital, First Nations band council, First Nations tribal council or First Nations education authority).
  • Gather your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) charity registration number or business number, if applicable.
  • If you are a First Nations band council, First Nations tribal council or First Nations education authority without a CRA number, contact ahsp2025@ontario.ca for support.
  • For faith-based or cultural private elementary and secondary schools, obtain your Board School identification number.
  • For faith-based or cultural private postsecondary institutions and career colleges, obtain your organization identification number.
• Step 3: Collect required supporting documents
  • Obtain your articles of incorporation or letters patent, if applicable.
  • Gather documentation proving your right to operate and use the non-residential indoor facility (most recent property tax bill, valid current lease, valid current license, or valid current rental agreement).
  • For 2SLGBTQQIA+ organizations that primarily hold annual cultural gatherings, gather one of the above documents or a valid event permit.
  • Prepare a description and supporting documentation (e.g., mandate, bylaws) that shows your organization’s primary activities and the nature and frequency of gatherings (ceremonies, congregations, classes, events, etc.).
  • For First Nations band councils, First Nations tribal councils and First Nations education authorities, optionally prepare supporting documentation such as a band council resolution or a letter from the Chief or band manager.
  • Obtain the organization’s current business bank account statement showing: account holder name (matching the legal or operating business name), account number, account type (business account), name and address of the financial institution, financial institution number, and branch/transit number.
  • If applicable, gather revenue information reported to CRA for the fiscal period ending in 2022 (from T3010 Registered Charity Information Return or T2 financial statement information), noting that First Nations band councils, tribal councils and education authorities are exempt from this requirement.
• Step 4: Prepare documents for non-registered chapters (if applicable)
  • Identify each non-registered chapter (site, branch, section or division) that does not have its own CRA charity registration number or business number and meets the program’s chapter criteria.
  • Prepare a letter from the head of the parent organization (e.g., CFO, CEO) or a band council resolution that confirms the eligibility of each non-registered chapter, describes the nature and frequency of their gatherings, and confirms that the parent organization will manage the funding.
  • Collect supplementary information for each non-registered chapter, such as most recent property tax or hydro bills for chapters at separate addresses, or descriptions of regular activities for chapters operating at the same address as the parent organization (activities must differ from the parent’s regular activities).
  • Note that First Nations band councils, First Nations tribal councils and First Nations education authorities with a CRA charity registration or business number that are applying for non-registered chapters are exempt from providing the letter and supplementary information.
  • Ensure you have complete information for all non-registered chapters before starting the application, as the parent organization must submit a single consolidated application on their behalf.
• Step 5: Obtain required insurance documentation (if applicable)
  • Arrange commercial general liability insurance coverage for the period November 13, 2025 to at least August 31, 2026, with a limit of not less than $2,000,000 in the organization’s name.
  • Request a valid certificate of insurance signed by an authorized insurance representative that confirms the required coverage and indemnity.
  • If the certificate shows coverage ending before August 31, 2026, plan to obtain an updated certificate to submit with your final report.
  • Note that First Nations band councils, First Nations tribal councils and First Nations education authorities are exempt from providing a certificate of insurance.
• Step 6: Plan intended use of funds and responses to supplementary questions
  • Decide which eligible expenses (e.g., security upgrades, security services, cybersecurity, professional assessments, education and training, honoraria for Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers) your organization plans to fund.
  • Determine how the planned expenditures will address your organization’s risks or experiences related to hate-motivated incidents.
  • Prepare responses to supplementary questions on: primary community served; additional communities served; average attendance at gatherings; impacts of hate-motivated crimes or incidents; planned eligible expenses; how funding will address risk or experience; and whether you have applied for or received other security-related grants in the past five years.
• Step 7: Complete the online application form
  • Access the Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant 2025-26 application through the Government of Ontario’s online application portal (Transfer Payment Ontario).
  • Enter organizational information, including legal name, CRA number (if applicable), and any required school or institution identifiers.
  • Provide mandated descriptions of your organization’s activities and gatherings, including required details for any non-registered chapters for which you are applying.
  • Upload all required supporting documents (corporate documents, facility documentation, bank statement, certificate of insurance if required, and any additional materials requested).
  • Answer all supplementary application questions for program planning and evaluation.
  • Review all entries and attachments carefully to ensure the application is complete and accurate.
• Step 8: Save, submit and meet the deadline
  • Use the portal’s save function to store your application progress and obtain your authorization number by email when you first save your application.
  • Return to your saved application as needed to complete missing sections or upload additional documents before the deadline.
  • Submit the completed application through the online portal no later than December 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
  • Retain a copy of the submitted application and any confirmation or authorization numbers for your records.
• Step 9: Monitor application status and respond to requests
  • Use your authorization number and CRA charity registration or business number to log in to the portal to view, download, or check the status of your application.
  • Monitor email regularly for any requests from the Province for additional information or clarification and respond promptly.
• Step 10: Receive funding decision and payment
  • If your application is approved, review the approval email and payment details, including the maximum funds amount determined by the Province.
  • Ensure that the business bank account information provided is accurate so that the electronic funds transfer can be processed without delay.
  • Accept and comply with all legally binding terms and conditions of the grant program, including obligations related to use of funds, reporting, record retention, and potential repayment.
• Step 11: Implement project, track expenses and retain records
  • Use the grant exclusively for eligible expenses related to safety, security and capacity-building measures against hate-related incidents, incurred between November 13, 2025 and August 31, 2026.
  • Track all expenditures and keep detailed receipts and financial records related to eligible expenses.
  • Retain all documents required to prove eligibility and all receipts for eligible expenses for seven years, in case of audit.
• Step 12: Prepare and submit the final report
  • Complete the required final report by August 31, 2026, using the reporting form that will be made available on the grant program application portal.
  • Report on how the funding was used, including a summary of receipts related to eligible expenses.
  • Describe the outcomes of the funding in terms of increased anti-hate safety, security and/or capacity for your organization, and provide feedback on your experience with the grant program.
  • If required, provide an updated certificate of insurance at the time of report submission if your original coverage ended before August 31, 2026.
  • Submit the completed report through the portal by the deadline; failure to do so may result in a requirement to return funds and ineligibility for future rounds.
• Step 13: Return any unspent or ineligible funds (if applicable)
  • Calculate any portion of the grant funds not used on eligible expenses incurred between November 13, 2025 and August 31, 2026.
  • Make a cheque payable to the “Ontario Minister of Finance” for any unspent or ineligible amounts.
  • Mail the cheque to: Attention: Sergio Vazquez - Anti-Hate Security and Prevention (AHSP) Grant Program, 2nd Fl, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M7A 2R9.
  • Include your CRA business number on the cheque.

• The program has a total budget of $12.75 million, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is fully allocated.
• The grant is discretionary and non-entitlement, meaning that meeting all eligibility criteria and submitting a complete application does not guarantee funding.
• Approved recipients must retain all supporting documents and receipts related to eligibility and expenses for seven years, as applications and grants may be audited.
• Organizations that applied in previous rounds (2021-22, 2022-23, Fall/Winter 2023-24 or 2024-25) may apply again but must verify that they still meet the current eligibility rules.