OTF — Family Innovations Test Grant

• Most recent completed financial statements with comparative information for the prior fiscal year
• Additional documentation if the organization has an accumulated surplus greater than 12 months or an accumulated deficit greater than 10%

Who is eligible?

• Grassroots groups led by parents, guardians, or caregivers
• Incorporated not-for-profit corporations without share capital in Canada
• First Nations grassroots groups

Who is not eligible

• Registered charities
• Religious entities
• Municipalities
• Individuals and for-profit organizations or businesses
• Organizations incorporated or registered for less than one year

Eligible expenses

• Staffing costs, including wages and related employer costs
• Transportation, food, honoraria, and support services
• Project supplies, materials, and equipment
• Communications, website, and promotion costs
• Fees for experts, facilitators, and consultants

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Taxes eligible for rebates
• Capital renovations or infrastructure costs
• Contingency costs
• Political or religious activities
• General operating costs unrelated to the project
• Personal one-on-one professional services
• Participant groceries, household supplies, or equipment
• Bursaries, scholarships, sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Strong alignment with the selected Priority Outcome
• Clear project idea and context
• Relevance to the needs and experiences of the beneficiaries
• Strong grassroots leadership and community connection
• Potential impact on parents, guardians, and caregivers

• Step 1: Prepare the application
  • Review the deadlines and application resources.
  • Create an OTF account in the Granting Portal.
• Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest
  • Complete and submit the Expression of Interest by the deadline.
  • Late submissions are not accepted.
• Step 3: Review and shortlist
  • OTF reviews eligibility and assesses the Expression of Interest.
  • Shortlisted groups are notified about 6 weeks after the deadline.
• Step 4: Confirm Organizational Mentor
  • Identify and confirm an eligible Organizational Mentor.
  • Review and finalize the collaborative agreement.
• Step 5: Submit the grant application
  • Work with the Organizational Mentor to complete and submit the full application.
  • Upload the signed collaborative agreement.
• Step 6: Decision and next steps
  • Wait for the funding decision, usually about 8 weeks after the deadline.
  • If approved, complete orientation and sign the Grant Contract through the Organizational Mentor.

• Expression of Interest is reviewed for eligibility, readiness, impact, and fit with beneficiaries.
• Shortlisted groups are invited to submit a full grant application with an Organizational Mentor.
• Grant recommendations are approved by OTF’s Board of Directors.
• Successful groups complete orientation and the Grant Contract is signed by the Organizational Mentor.
• Grantees must submit progress and final reports and may be audited.

• Shortlisted groups receive feedback on the Project Plan and Budget.
• Successful groups must complete orientation and trainings.
• Progress and final reports are required after approval.