How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 150000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-07-09T17:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant?

OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant is funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

What are OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant's eligibility criterias?

For-profit businesses are not eligible.

OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports scaling proven projects for parents, guardians, and caregivers

OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $150,000

Timeline

Open Date : December 4, 2024
Closing date : July 9, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Health care and social assistance

Grant Providers

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

Status

Open

Overview of the OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant program

The OTF Family Innovations Scale Grant provides up to $150,000 per year to help grassroots groups enhance or expand proven community projects led by parents, guardians, and caregivers. Funding supports activities that deepen impact or broaden the reach of existing initiatives benefiting families, with eligible expenses including staffing, materials, support services, and capacity building.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum funding of $150,000 per year, for a minimum term of 2 years and a maximum of 3 years.
Mandatory allocation of 15% of the total budget to Administrative Support Costs (Organizational Mentor).
Capacity Building expenses must be budgeted at a minimum of $2,000 per year and may not exceed $4,000 per year.
A contingency allowance of up to 10% per year is permitted.

Eligible projects & activities

Enhancing the quality and impact of existing community projects supporting parents, guardians, and caregivers.
Expanding successful, established projects to reach and positively affect more parents, guardians, and caregivers.
Scaling community-based initiatives that address systemic barriers faced by families, particularly those led by grassroots groups.

Eligibility criteria of the OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant program

The applicant must be either a grassroots group led by parents, guardians, and caregivers, or an incorporated not-for-profit organization without share capital, with independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years.
The core group members (including board members, where applicable) must reflect the identities and experiences of the parents, guardians, and caregivers served by the project.
The group must consist of at least three core members, with more than 50% at arm’s length from each other and more than 50% being parents, guardians, and caregivers.
The group or organization must be based in Ontario and the project must benefit parents, guardians, and caregivers in Ontario.
The project must be an enhancement or expansion of an existing initiative that has been delivered for at least two years, with a clear intention to address systemic issues faced by the target beneficiaries.

Who is eligible?

Grassroots groups led by parents, guardians, and caregivers (not registered as charities or incorporated not-for-profits)
Not-for-profit corporations without share capital, with independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years
Chartered Community Councils under the Métis Nation of Ontario
Inuit community organizations registered as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in Canada
Grassroots groups from First Nations (with restrictions on band office or council representation)

Who is not eligible

Registered charities
Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs (e.g., churches, temples, mosques, synagogues)
Municipalities
For-profit organizations and businesses
Groups or projects based at existing organizations, including not-for-profits, educational institutions, municipalities, universities, schools, religious institutions, and hospitals

Eligible expenses

Staffing costs, including mandatory employee required costs (MERC) of 20% and livable wages for program delivery.
Transportation expenses related to project activities.
Honoraria for participants and volunteers.
Support services such as translation, interpretation, and child-minding.
Project supplies and materials.
Project equipment (rental or purchase).
Food expenses for project-related activities.
Communications expenses, including website and promotional costs.
Fees for services delivered by experts, facilitators, or professionals.
Contingency costs (up to 10% per year).
Administrative support costs (Organizational Mentor): 15% of total budget.
Capacity building expenses: minimum $2,000 and up to $4,000 per year.

Eligible geographic areas

Ontario

Eligibility criteria of the OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant program

Strength of grassroots leadership and demonstrated history of core group members working together (Assessment weight: 40%).
Clear demonstration that the project will scale activities that have been delivered for over two years to parents, guardians, and caregivers.
Alignment of the project with one YOF Priority Outcome and the needs of target beneficiaries.
Clear identification of the need, issue or opportunity addressed, connected to systemic barriers faced by beneficiaries.
Potential to achieve meaningful, measurable impact for parents, guardians, and caregivers (Assessment weight: 60%).

How to apply to the OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant program

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Create an OTF account if you are a new user or sign-in for returning users.
Complete the Expression of Interest through the OTF’s Granting Portal once it opens.
Submit the EOI by the deadline: April 9, 2025, at 5 PM ET.

Notification of Shortlisted EOIs

Wait for notification approximately six weeks after the EOI deadline regarding your status.
If shortlisted, begin researching potential Organizational Mentors.

Organizational Mentor Confirmation

Confirm an eligible Organizational Mentor for your project.
Ensure your Organizational Mentor has an OTF account and helps in the application process.

Submit Grant Application

Participate in a mandatory webinar to learn about the grant application.
Work with your Organizational Mentor to finalize your grant application.
Submit the complete grant application, including the signed Organizational Mentor-Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement by July 9, 2025, 5 PM ET.

Notification of Funding Decision

Receive notification of the funding decision approximately eight weeks after the application deadline.

Confirmation and Orientation

If approved, participate in a mandatory orientation session and trainings.
The Organizational Mentor will receive the OTF Grant Contract to sign.

Reporting, Monitoring, and Completion

Participate in scheduled check-ins and complete annual progress and final reports.
Engage in capacity building and evaluation activities as directed.
Complete the project and submit the final report for grant close-out.

Additional information

All applicants must enter into a collaborative agreement with an Organizational Mentor who provides support and financial oversight.
Capacity building opportunities and events are part of the grant to enhance group skills and foster networking among grantees.
Grantees are required to participate in scheduled check-ins, orientation sessions, and evaluation activities provided by the funder.
A random sample of grants may undergo a compliance audit at any time during or after the project period.

Apply to this program