OTF — Grow Grant

• Organization legal and operating details
• Financial statements and surplus or deficit documentation, if required
• Board of directors list and bylaws
• Quotes or estimates for goods and services over $5,000
• Collaborative agreement, if applying as a collaborative

Who is eligible?

• Eligible non-profit organizations
• First Nations and Inuit or Métis communities
• Municipalities, libraries, and local services boards in Ontario
• Collaborative applications with an eligible lead organization
• Registered charities and not-for-profit corporations with community-wide programs

Who is not eligible

• Municipalities with a population over 20,000
• Organizations that do not deliver community-based programs in Ontario
• Applicants that do not meet OTF eligibility requirements
• Organizations that do not provide complete financial or governance information when required

Eligible expenses

• Salaries, mandatory employment costs, and employee benefits for project staff
• Purchased services, workshops or meetings, supplies and materials, and travel
• Overhead and administration costs directly linked to the project
• Capital costs for equipment, renovations, repairs, retrofits, and related developmental costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Rebatable taxes such as GST and HST
• Contingency or emergency reserve costs
• Costs incurred before grant approval
• General capital fundraising drives and capital campaigns

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario
• One of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas

• Applications are reviewed for eligibility before full assessment
• Eligible applications are scored by staff and local volunteers
• Funding recommendations are made to the Board of Directors
• Successful applicants attend a mandatory orientation meeting
• A Grant Contract must be signed and returned before activation

The Grow Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation supports non-profit organizations in expanding proven community projects over a term of 2-3 years. It offers funding from $100,000 to $600,000, with specific eligibility and application requirements detailed on their website.

• Grant term is 2 or 3 years.
• Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less, collaborations, and certain religious entities.
• Funding priorities focus on fostering active lifestyles, building community connections, enriching arts and culture, supporting youth, conserving the environment, and aiding economically vulnerable groups.
• Application period is from October 9, 2024, to November 6, 2024, with decisions approximately 4-5 months after the deadline.
• Mandatory orientation meeting required for successful applicants before grant activation.
• Projects can include up to 20% capital costs and must demonstrate a community-level impact.
• Common application errors include not meeting OTF’s eligibility criteria, incomplete documentation, and unclear project budgets.