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OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant - Ontario - Canada
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OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant

Funding for grassroots, caregiver-led projects supporting Ontario families
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
  • Closing date : July 8, 2026
Location
Eastern, Ontario, Canada

Overview

The OTF Family Innovations Test Grant provides up to $100,000 per year for 1 to 3 years to grassroots groups led by parents, guardians and caregivers to design and test new, community-driven ways of improving family wellbeing. Funding supports eligible activities such as piloting new project ideas, conducting research on issues affecting families, or leading collective strategy work around systemic barriers faced by parents, guardians and caregivers in Ontario.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 100,000 $
  • Up to 10% of project cost
Timeline
  • Closing date : July 8, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Health care and social assistance
Location
  • Eastern
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • $ 50,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Language Minorities
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
  • Rural or Northern Residents
  • 2SLGBTQI+
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Social Services
  • Economic, Social and Community Development
  • Children and Youth Organizations
  • Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
  • Indigenous peoples
  • New immigrants & refugees
  • People with disabilities
  • LGBTQ+ community
  • Rural / Remote communities
  • Low-income individuals / families
  • Minority groups
Revenue structures
  • Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
  • Provincial

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Piloting new community-led projects that support parents, guardians and caregivers to access resources, navigate social systems and improve their wellbeing.
  • Adapting and testing existing family support models or ideas from other regions to meet the specific needs of parents, guardians and caregivers in the local community.
  • Establishing learning circles or peer groups where parents, guardians and caregivers can share experiences, build skills and receive support around issues such as disability, mental health or overall family wellbeing.
  • Conducting participatory research to better understand issues or emerging concepts affecting families, including how new technologies or approaches may impact parents, guardians and caregivers.
  • Convening parents, guardians and caregivers to collectively analyze an issue, map existing efforts, develop shared strategies and define next steps to address systemic barriers affecting family wellbeing.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Grassroots, unincorporated community groups led by parents, guardians and/or caregivers
  • Grassroots groups from First Nations communities (with no more than 50% of members from band office or band council)
  • Not-for-profit organizations without share capital incorporated in a Canadian jurisdiction, led by parents, guardians and/or caregivers
  • Chartered Community Councils operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario (incorporated as not-for-profit without share capital)
  • Inuit communities registered as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in Canada

Who is not eligible

  • Registered charitable organizations.
  • Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs (for example, churches, temples, mosques, synagogues).
  • Municipalities and any groups or projects based within a municipal structure.
  • Groups or projects based at existing organizations (whether not-for-profit or for-profit), including committees or clubs within municipalities, universities, schools, hospitals, or similar institutions that are set up to serve parents, guardians and caregivers.
  • For-profit businesses and individual applicants.

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries and benefits for full-time staff (35 hours or more per week) working on the project.
  • Salaries and benefits for part-time staff (less than 35 hours per week) working on the project.
  • Transportation costs directly related to project delivery.
  • Honoraria to recognize the contributions of community leaders, Elders and/or volunteers involved in the project.
  • Support services such as translation, interpretation and child-minding required for project activities.
  • Project supplies and materials needed to carry out the planned activities.
  • Project equipment, either rented or purchased, that is necessary for the project.
  • Food costs for program participants during project activities.
  • Communications expenses, including website and promotional materials, directly tied to the project.
  • Professional fees for services delivered by experts or facilitators supporting the project.
  • Administrative support costs for the Organizational Mentor, set at 15% of the total project budget.
  • Capacity building costs between $2,000 and $4,000 per year, for learning and development activities that strengthen the group’s ability to deliver the project.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Groups based in Ontario, Canada, whose projects will benefit parents, guardians and caregivers in Ontario.

Additional information

  • The Expression of Interest is the first step, and only shortlisted groups are invited to submit a full grant application.
  • All applicants must partner with an Organizational Mentor, which provides administrative support, mentoring, and financial accountability.
  • Successful groups are required to participate in mandatory orientation sessions, trainings, and capacity-building activities during the grant.
  • Grants may be subject to a compliance audit at any point during the project or after the grant has been closed.

Contacts

yof@otf.ca
1‑800‑263‑2887

Frequently Asked Questions about the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant. 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 OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant?

The OTF Family Innovations Test Grant provides up to $100,000 per year for 1 to 3 years to grassroots groups led by parents, guardians and caregivers to design and test new, community-driven ways of improving family wellbeing. Funding supports eligible activities such as piloting new project ideas, conducting research on issues affecting families, or leading collective strategy work around systemic barriers faced by parents, guardians and caregivers in Ontario.

How much funding can be received?

OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant program?

To be eligible for the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant program, you must: Be a grassroots group or a not-for-profit corporation without share capital (not a registered charity or for-profit business). Have independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in each of the last two fiscal years (for incorporated not-for-profits). Be based in Ontario, led by parents/guardians/caregivers, and operate independently of larger institutions (e.g., municipalities, universities, hospitals).

What expenses are eligible under OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant?

Piloting new community-led projects that support parents, guardians and caregivers to access resources, navigate social systems and improve their wellbeing. Adapting and testing existing family support models or ideas from other regions to meet the specific needs of parents, guardians and caregivers in the local community. Establishing learning circles or peer groups where parents, guardians and caregivers can share experiences, build skills and receive support around issues such as disability, mental health or overall family wellbeing. Conducting participatory research to better understand issues or emerging concepts affecting families, including how new technologies or approaches may impact parents, guardians and caregivers. Convening parents, guardians and caregivers to collectively analyze an issue, map existing efforts, develop shared strategies and define next steps to address systemic barriers affecting family wellbeing.

Who can I contact for more information about the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant?

You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at yof@otf.ca or by phone at 1‑800‑263‑2887.

Where is the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant available?

The OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant program is available Eastern, Ontario.

Is the OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant a grant, loan, or tax credit?

OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant is a Grant and Funding

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