OTF — Capital Grant

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.

• The applicant must deliver programs and services in one of four sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.
• The organization must have a primary purpose, presence, and reputation for delivering community-based programs and services with direct community benefits in one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario.
• The applicant must demonstrate financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds and complete the proposed project according to OTF’s Financial Need and Health of Applicants policy.
• The applicant must prove they are the appropriate organization or community to carry out the proposed project.
• Eligible entities include charitable organizations registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, organizations incorporated as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction, and certain Indigenous communities.
• Municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less, county library boards and local services boards serving populations of 20,000 or less, are eligible under specific priorities.
• Religious entities may be eligible if they provide direct community programs and services that are non-religious and do not require participation in religious activities.

Who is eligible?

OTF grants support the work of non-profit organizations, small municipalities, and Indigenous communities in Ontario to deliver direct community-based programs and services.Non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and small municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less, as well as religious entities that meet specific conditions, can apply. Applicants must:- Deliver programs and services in sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, or human and social services sectors.- Operate in one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario.- Demonstrate financial and organizational capacity for managing funds and completing projects.Each applicant must be:- A registered charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency, or- A not-for-profit corporation incorporated in a Canadian jurisdiction, or- An Indigenous community (First Nation, Métis Nation of Ontario Chartered Community Council, or an Inuit community), or- A municipality with a population under 20,000, applying on behalf of cultural or recreational agencies.Religious entities that provide non-religious direct programs and services to the broader community may also be eligible.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain entities whose applications do not align with the primary focus areas or organizational criteria of the fund. The restrictions ensure that the funds serve the intended community-focused initiatives.

• Organizations with a primary purpose that is not oriented towards sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, or human and social services.
• Municipalities with a population over 20,000.
• Religious entities or faith-based groups that do not provide non-religious activities for the community at large without imposing participation in faith activities.
• Entities engaging in political activities that conflict with OTF policies.
• Organizations with a mission and mandate that do not directly involve delivering programs and services in Ontario.
• Entities unable to demonstrate financial capacity to manage the grant or to comply with financial requirements.

Eligible expenses

The Capital grant is designed to enhance community spaces in Ontario, supporting projects that promote community health and vibrancy. Eligible projects involve upgrading buildings, enhancing spaces, and purchasing equipment to benefit the people and communities in Ontario.

• Purchase of fixed or non-fixed equipment to support community activities.
• Repair, renovation, or retrofitting of community buildings or spaces.
• Enhancements or improvements to outdoor structures or spaces to facilitate community use.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant supports organizations with a primary presence in one of Ontario's 16 geographic catchment areas. It ensures that funded projects provide direct community benefits within these specified regions.

• Essex, Kent, Lambton
• Haldimand, Norfolk, Brant
• Halton, Peel
• Hamilton
• Midland
• Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Timiskaming
• Niagara
• Northwestern
• Quinte, Kingston, Rideau
• Simcoe, York
• Southeastern
• Southwestern
• Thames Valley
• Toronto
• Waterloo, Wellington, Dufferin
• York, Durham, Hills of Headwaters

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are grounded on specific criteria to ensure that projects align with the community improvement goals of the grant program.

• Community benefit and relevance (30%) - Evaluates how well the project fits with the selected funding priority and project objective, addresses community needs, and the realism of anticipated benefits.
• Project plan and feasibility (30%) - Assesses the clarity and readiness of the project plan, and its likelihood of successful implementation within the set timelines.
• Project budget (30%) - Analyzes the clarity, appropriateness, and reasonableness of costs associated with the project plan, ensuring they match with key deliverables and activities.
• Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%) - Considers how the project facilitates the inclusion of populations facing socio-economic, cultural, or other barriers.

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.