OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant ON Canada

OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant

ON, Canada
Empower grassroots groups to develop innovative solutions for supporting families by honoring diverse identities and addressing systemic barriers
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Grant and Funding
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  • Health care and social assistance
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  • Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
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The Family Innovations Test Grant supports grassroots groups led by parents, guardians, or caregivers to develop and test new ideas, explore different approaches, or research important issues, aiming to improve the well-being and social and economic stability of families. Eligible activities include piloting new projects, researching specific topics, and strategizing around issues affecting parents, guardians, and caregivers. The program prioritizes initiatives led by and for Indigenous and Black communities and covers a spectrum of eligible expenses to facilitate project implementation.

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The Family Innovations Test Grant supports projects that pilot new ideas, research important issues, or strategize around issues affecting parents, guardians, and caregivers in Ontario. These projects should align with one of the Family Innovations Priority Outcomes and engage parents, guardians, and caregivers as direct beneficiaries.
  • Pilot a new project idea that positively impacts parents, guardians, and caregivers, like establishing a learning circle or creating a culturally significant space.
  • Research an issue or new concept that relates to the experiences of families in the community, such as exploring the impact of technology or new approaches.
  • Strategize around issues affecting parents, guardians, and caregivers by facilitating community discussions and developing collective responses.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The grant is open to grassroots groups led by parents, guardians, and caregivers who share identities and experiences with the project beneficiaries, primarily focusing on Indigenous and Black communities in Ontario. The group must be unregistered as a charity and demonstrate strong grassroots leadership with a focus on the systemic barriers faced by their target population.
  • A grassroots group that is not registered as a charity or an incorporated not-for-profit.
  • A core group with members sharing identities and lived experiences with the project beneficiaries.
  • Groups from a First Nation, cannot have more than 50% of its members as part of the band office or band council.
  • An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction.
  • The organization must have independently managed revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years.
  • Board members and day-to-day management must be parents, guardians, or caregivers.
  • More than 50% of core members need to be at an arm’s length relationship to each other.
  • The group is based in Ontario and the work will benefit parents, guardians, and caregivers in Ontario.
  • The group exists independently of a larger organization, religious institutions, or municipalities, and should be unconnected to existing institutions.
  • The group agrees to work with an Organizational Mentor, having autonomy over project design and planning.
  • If the group has an active Youth Opportunities Fund grant, they can only apply if they are in the last year of the current grant.

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Eligible groups for the Family Innovations Test Grant include grassroots groups and not-for-profit organizations that meet specific criteria. The grant primarily supports projects led by parents, guardians, and caregivers operating independently in Ontario, aiming to address challenges faced by marginalized communities.
  • Grassroots group not registered as a charity or incorporated as a not-for-profit
  • Organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
  • Group must be based in Ontario and work should benefit parents, guardians, and caregivers in Ontario
  • Core group must consist of at least three members, with more than 50% of members being parents, guardians, and caregivers
  • Group must exist independently of larger organizations or institutions
  • Cannot have more than 50% of core group members in an arm’s length relationship

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Certain types of organizations are not eligible for the Family Innovations Test Grant. These include religious entities, municipalities, and for-profit businesses among others.
  • Registered charities
  • Religious entities established for the observation of religious beliefs, including churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues
  • Municipalities
  • Groups/projects based at an existing organization (not-for-profit or for-profit)
  • Groups specifically designed to serve through committees or clubs of institutions, such as universities or schools
  • For-profit organizations or businesses
  • Individuals

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for the Family Innovations Test Grant include costs that are essential to project execution, such as staffing, transportation, and support services. Below is a list of specific eligible expenses associated with this grant.
  • Staffing, including Mandatory Employee Required Costs (MERC) of 20%
  • Transportation
  • Honorarium (for participants and volunteers)
  • Support Services (translation, interpretation, child-minding)
  • Project supplies and materials
  • Project equipment (rental or purchase)
  • Food
  • Communications (website, promotions)
  • Fees for services delivered by experts or facilitators
  • Contingency (maximum of 10% per year)
  • Administrative Support Costs (OM): 15% of total Budget
  • Capacity Building: Minimum of $2,000 per year required and up to a maximum of $4,000 per year

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The eligible geographic zone for the Family Innovations Test Grant is Ontario, Canada. Projects must be based in Ontario and benefit parents, guardians, and caregivers within the province.

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The evaluation and selection process for the Family Innovations Test Grant involves an assessment of group eligibility, strong grassroots leadership, setting the context, and potential for impact. The criteria focus on ensuring that projects are community-driven, culturally anchored, and aligned with YOF Priority Outcomes to benefit parents, guardians, and caregivers.
  • Group Eligibility
  • Core group members reflect the identities and experiences of the parents, guardians, and caregivers they aim to serve.
  • The application is complete and contains clear and detailed responses.
  • Parents, guardians, and caregivers are the direct beneficiaries of the project.
  • The group exists independently of larger organizations or institutions.
  • The group is based in Ontario, Canada, and the work benefits parents, guardians, and caregivers in Ontario.
  • The group comprises at least three core members, with more than 50% being parents, guardians, and caregivers.
  • More than 50% of core group members must be at arm’s length from each other.
  • The group is not a registered charity.
  • The Board of Directors reflects the identities and experiences of those being served.
  • The project complies with OTF Policies.
  • The group is either an unincorporated group or an incorporated not-for-profit corporation with revenues of $50,000 or less in either of the last two years.
  • People (Assessment weight: 40%)
  • Strong Grassroots Leadership
  • The group demonstrates the right mix of knowledge, skills, and experience to deliver the project.
  • The group has connections to the issues and knowledge of the community they aim to serve.
  • Strategy (Assessment weight: 60%)
  • Setting the Context (Issue & Idea)
  • The group clearly describes the idea they want to test or the research they will conduct.
  • The need, issue, or opportunity connects to systemic barriers faced by YOF parents, guardians, or caregivers.
  • The idea effectively responds to the need, issue, or opportunity being addressed.
  • The proposed idea is culturally anchored and designed to meet the experiences, needs, and assets of YOF parents, guardians, and caregivers.
  • Potential for Impact (Idea & Impact)
  • YOF parents, guardians, and caregivers are clear and direct beneficiaries of the project.
  • The changes the group hopes to make can be achieved through their project.
  • The changes or impacts align with their chosen YOF Priority Outcome.

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  • Step 1: Create an OTF account.
  • OTF requires all grant applications to be submitted through its Granting Portal.
  • Returning users: Sign-in to the Granting Portal when the application becomes available.
  • New users: To access available grant applications, create an OTF account by entering the name of your group’s primary contact and their email address. An email will be sent to the primary contact to complete setting up their account.
  • Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest.
  • Complete and submit the Expression of Interest by the deadline date once the application portal opens. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Step 3: Review and assessment of Expression of Interest.
  • Staff review your eligibility, readiness to do the work, project potential impact, and understanding of the beneficiaries.
  • This includes reviewing online presence to ensure direct delivery of programs and services to Ontarians and non-engagement in ineligible activities.
  • Step 4: Notification of shortlisted Expressions of Interest.
  • Notification occurs approximately 6 weeks after the deadline. Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a grant application with an Organizational Mentor.
  • Step 5: Connect with Organizational Mentors.
  • Applicants must confirm their Organizational Mentor at the grant application stage. Begin this relationship early.
  • The eligibility of the Organizational Mentor is verified. The OTF provides support if the selected mentor is ineligible.
  • Organizational Mentors need an OTF account to access the Organizational Mentor application.
  • Step 6: Submit the grant application.
  • Participate in a mandatory webinar to learn about the grant application and next steps.
  • Collaborate with your Organizational Mentor to review the draft application, finalize the Collaborative Agreement, and submit a complete application with the signed agreement.
  • Step 7: Recommendation and selection.
  • OTF’s Board of Directors approves grant recommendations made by YOF’s Grant Review Committee.
  • Step 8: Notification.
  • Groups are notified of their application's status approximately 8 weeks after the deadline.
  • Step 9: Confirmation and Orientation.
  • Successful groups participate in a mandatory orientation session and trainings. The Organizational Mentor signs and upholds the Grant Contract with OTF.
  • Step 10: After approval.
  • Includes reporting and monitoring activities, capacity building opportunities, evaluation support, and potential Grantee Compliance Audit.

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