How much funding can be received?

The Capital Grant aims to improve community facilities and spaces across Ontario by providing funding for projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment. Eligible activities include repairing, renovating, or retrofitting facility structures, enhancing outdoor spaces, and purchasing necessary equipment. The program supports non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and Indigenous communities, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 for projects that span up to 12 months.

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Eligible projects for the Capital grant include those that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase equipment to improve community infrastructure. These projects aim to foster vibrant communities in Ontario by meeting various community needs.

Purchase equipment
Repair, renovate and/or retrofit a facility structure or space
Enhance or improve an outdoor structure or space

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Eligibility criteria for the Capital Grant require organizations to demonstrate a primary purpose and capacity for delivering direct community-based programs and services in Ontario. Applicants must meet specific organizational requirements and be eligible entities as outlined below.

Deliver programs and services in one of four sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.
Have a primary purpose, presence, and reputation for delivering community-based programs and services with direct community benefit in one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario.
Demonstrate financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds, and deliver and complete the proposed project as per OTF’s Financial Need and Health of Applicants policy.
Demonstrate that it is the appropriate organization or community to carry out the proposed project.
Non-profit organizations registered for at least one year:
A charitable organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency
An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
Indigenous communities:
A First Nation
A Chartered Community Council, operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario
An Inuit community
Municipalities, libraries, and local services boards serving populations of 20,000 or less.
Faith-based organizations that provide direct services to the community at large that are not religious activities.

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The Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation supports non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and Indigenous communities in Ontario to enhance local facilities and spaces. Eligible entities need to be non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, or specified municipalities with set conditions.

Non-profit organizations registered as charitable organizations with the Canada Revenue Agency or incorporated as not-for-profit corporations without share capital.
Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in Ontario.
Municipalities with populations of 20,000 or less, including their cultural or recreation agencies.
Religious entities registered as charities or not-for-profit corporations, providing non-religious community services.

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The grant is not open to certain types of applicants including municipalities with populations over 20,000 and organizations that do not align with the Ontario Trillium Foundation's eligibility criteria. Specifically, entities that are primarily focused on political activities or do not demonstrate a direct community benefit in Ontario are also not eligible.

Municipalities with a population over 20,000
Organizations focused on political activities
Entities not demonstrating direct community benefit in Ontario

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Eligible expenses for this grant include costs associated with updating buildings, enhancing spaces, and purchasing fixed and non-fixed equipment. Budgets must align with application requirements and cover project costs across construction, equipment, and developmental categories.

Construction and renovation costs: materials and/or contractor costs
Equipment costs: fixed and non-fixed equipment
Developmental costs: up to 20% of the total project budget for engineering plans, legal fees, or survey costs

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Eligible geographic zones for this grant are based on OTF's 16 geographic catchment areas within Ontario. Organizations must deliver programs or services in one of these areas to be eligible.

One of OTF's 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario

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The grant applications for the Capital Grant are evaluated based on eligibility criteria and the clarity and strength of projects. The assessment includes criteria such as community benefit, feasibility, budget appropriateness, and the project's capacity to help populations facing barriers.

Eligibility of applicants: Fit with who we fund, presence in Ontario, mission aligned with direct community benefit, and financial health.
Community benefit and relevance (30%): Fit with funding priority and project objective, response to community need, and anticipated benefit.
Project plan and feasibility (30%): Clarity, implementation details, feasibility, readiness, and likelihood of success.
Project budget (30%): Clarity and appropriateness of costs, securement of funds.
Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%): Support for diverse population participation.
Appropriate documentation: Proof of ownership or lease agreement, quotes and estimates, and financial statements.
Project alignment with funding priorities: Physically active lifestyles, arts, culture and heritage, environmental restoration, and economic stability.

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Step 1: Gather your organization information and assess your eligibility
Organization details: Incorporation number, year of incorporation, charitable registration number, year of registration, and business number
Financial information: Financial statements for the organization's 2 recent fiscal years, surplus and deficit documentation
Governance information: List of current board of directors and senior staff, by-laws
Step 2: Gather your project information and documentation
Identify your project objective and activities
Prepare your project plan
Identify budget items that align to your project plan
Obtain quotes and estimates for goods and services valued above $5,000
Provide photos and diagrams related to your project
Provide proof of ownership or a 5-year lease agreement
Step 3: Complete and submit your application
Use the Granting Portal to submit the application
Returning users: Sign-in to the Granting Portal
New users: Create an OTF account
Work with your team to finalize requirements
Ensure application is finalized and submitted by the deadline

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There are some considerations to keep in mind when applying for the Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to improve community facilities and spaces.

The grant application period is now closed and applicants will be notified approximately 4-5 months after the deadline regarding the final decision, with no appeal process available.
Eligibility is strictly defined; only non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and Indigenous communities in Ontario, with a history of direct community benefit delivery, may apply.
Successful applicants are required to participate in an orientation meeting before the grant can be activated, with expectations including public recognition of OTF funding.
The grant focuses on projects like updating buildings, enhancing spaces, and purchasing equipment, with specific budget and documentation requirements that must be met.
Applications are carefully assessed on criteria like community benefit, feasibility, and budget clarity, and documentation errors can lead to application rejection.
Applicants need to effectively demonstrate how the project will benefit the local community and meet OTF's funding priorities.

Apply to this program

Summary of the Ontario Capital Grant Program

The Ontario Capital Grant Program offers financial support ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 for projects that enhance community facilities and spaces across Ontario. It is open to non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and Indigenous communities, aiming to improve physical infrastructure to foster healthier and more connected communities.

Explaining the Ontario Capital Grant Program in Detail

The Ontario Capital Grant Program is a pivotal initiative designed to bolster community development through targeted financial assistance. This grant program is administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and is keenly focused on enhancing community spaces and facilities, essentially contributing to the province's socio-economic fabric by fostering vibrant communities. The program operates on the principle that programs and services supporting the people of Ontario best thrive in robust, well-maintained environments. Hence, it provides a financial lifeline for various organizations and communities looking to update buildings, enhance spaces, or purchase necessary equipment.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate a strong alignment with the program's goals and the specific communities or demographics they serve. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and Indigenous communities that deliver community-based programs in Ontario. A non-profit applying for the grant must have at least one year of operational experience and demonstrate financial and organizational capacity to manage and complete the proposed project as per OTF guidelines. Specifically, eligible entities include:

Charitable organizations registered with the Canada Revenue Agency.
Organizations incorporated as not-for-profit corporations.
Indigenous communities, such as First Nations, Métis Chartered Community Councils, and Inuit communities.
Small municipalities with populations of 20,000 or less and certain county library boards.

To maintain integrity and broad community support, religious entities may also be eligible, provided they deliver non-religious public services without requiring participation in faith-based activities. It is important for applicants to clearly delineate the community focus and direct benefits of their proposed project to stand out during the application review process.

Grant Amounts and Term

The program provides grants ranging from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $200,000, with the funds distributed over a twelve-month period. Applicants need to prepare a robust project plan, specifying how the grant funds will be utilized to fulfill their objectives. To maintain financial rigor, the program asks for a clear budget outline, which includes comprehensive cost breakdowns for budget items, estimates for goods and services (especially those exceeding $5,000), and meshing this financial vision with a well-drafted project plan.

Funding Priorities

The Capital Grant Program emphasizes multiple funding priorities, each designed to catalyze transformational change in communities across Ontario:

Fostering physically active lifestyles: Projects under this priority encourage active living, promoting physical health through enhanced recreational facilities.
Building community connections: Support is given to projects that foster a sense of belonging, aiding community cohesion through improved spaces for communal engagement.
Enriching lives through arts, culture, and heritage: Investments are made in projects that preserve and enhance cultural and historic assets, thus enriching Ontario's diverse cultural tapestry.
Environmental conservation: This priority supports sustainable environmental practices and conservation efforts, ensuring that facilities contribute positively to Ontario's ecological health.
Enabling economic stability: Through supporting structures that help economically vulnerable populations, the program indirectly enhances financial stability, enabling broader community resilience.

Grant applications must align with one or more of these priorities to be considered for funding, which necessitates a thoughtful selection and illustration of objectives and activities that will be executed upon funding reception.

Project Objectives and Activities

Applicants are required to clearly define their project objectives. Whether the goal is to maintain or increase access to services, extend the life of a facility, or enhance accessibility, the project must be effectively mapped out in conjunction with these objectives. Typical eligible activities include:

Purchasing equipment essential for service delivery.
Repairing, renovating, or retrofitting facilities for better usability and safety.
Enhancing outdoor spaces to improve community engagement and recreation.

Applicants installing fixed equipment or undertaking renovations will need to provide substantial documentation, including proof of ownership or valid lease agreements to assure the longevity and viability of the projects they propose.

Budget and Eligible Costs

The budgeting process is crucial in demonstrating the feasibility and impact of the project. Costs fall into specific categories: construction and renovation, equipment, and developmental costs. Importantly, up to 20% of the total budget can cater to developmental costs associated with construction, such as engineering plans or legal fees. Clear, precise quotes or estimates need to be supplied to substantiate budget allocations, ideally from more than one supplier to assure best value practices.

Several costs are ineligible for funding, including taxes eligible for rebates, contingency costs, and expenses incurred prior to grant approval. Additionally, applicants must ensure that the OTF-funded component of a larger project can stand independently, or else that other funding sources are secured before funds are released by OTF.

The Application Process

The application process is structured to ensure transparency and thoroughness. A granting portal manages submissions, and applicants must first complete a questionnaire to confirm suitability for the grant stream. Using the application checklist provided, applicants should gather all organizational and project-specific documentation before submission.

It is important for applicants to begin well ahead of the deadline and collaborate extensively with their teams to ensure full completion of the application. Late or incomplete submissions are not accepted, emphasizing the need for applicants to be diligent and proactive.

Assessment and Post-Submission

The assessment process is multifaceted, involving both staff and community volunteers who evaluate applications on relevance, community benefit, feasibility, and financial robustness. Approximately four to five months after submission, applicants are notified of decisions, with successful grantees attending an orientation to understand grant expectations and procedures.

Throughout the life of the grant, monitoring and reporting remain essential tasks. Grantees must submit final reports upon project completion, detailing achievements, metrics, and insights gained. Proper public recognition of OTF and the Government of Ontario's support is also mandated as part of the grant recognition requirements.

The Ontario Capital Grant Program embodies a comprehensive approach to community development, providing vital financial assistance targeted toward meaningful community improvement projects across Ontario. By supporting projects that revitalize and enhance community infrastructure, the program plays a central role in fostering healthier, more connected, and enriched communities.

OTF — Capital Grant

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