OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant

• The applicant must be either a grassroots group that is not a registered charity or incorporated not-for-profit, or a not-for-profit corporation without share capital with independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in each of the last two fiscal years.
• The group must be led by parents, guardians and/or caregivers, with more than 50% of core members being parents, guardians or caregivers who share the identities and lived experiences of the parents, guardians and caregivers served.
• The group must have at least three core members, with more than 50% of them at arm’s length from each other (not related, married, or in business partnerships that could create conflicts of interest).
• The group must be based in Ontario and its project must directly benefit parents, guardians and caregivers in Ontario, strongly aligning with one Family Innovations Priority Outcome and YOF’s policies.
• The applicant must agree to work with an eligible Organizational Mentor under a collaborative agreement for administrative support, mentoring and financial accountability.

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.

• Group Eligibility (pass/fail): The group must meet all structural and governance requirements (e.g. correct leadership structure, independence from larger organizations, revenue thresholds, Ontario focus) and submit a complete, clearly written Expression of Interest.
• People – Strong Grassroots Leadership (40% of assessment): The core team collectively demonstrates the right mix of knowledge, skills and experience to deliver the project, and shows strong connections to the issues and to the community they intend to serve.
• Strategy – Setting the Context (Issue & Idea) – part of 60%: The application clearly explains the idea to be tested, research to be conducted, or strategy work to be led, and shows how it addresses systemic barriers faced by parents, guardians or caregivers with a culturally grounded approach.
• Strategy – Potential for Impact (Idea & Impact) – part of 60%: Parents, guardians and caregivers are the direct beneficiaries, and the expected changes are realistic to achieve within the project and clearly aligned with the selected Priority Outcome.

• 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.