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OTF — Grow Grant

Multi-year funding to scale proven community projects

Offered by

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

Official source: otf.ca

Source change captured October 7, 2026

Funding available: $ 100,000 - $ 600,000
Deadline: Unspecified
Location: Ontario, Canada
Who can apply: Charitable organizations or foundations registered with the Canada Revenue Agency that have been registered and actively operating for at least 12 months.; See full eligibility

Overview

The 2026 intake closed on November 4 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Check the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grow Grant page for the next intake.

Grow supports eligible charities, nonprofits and certain public or Indigenous applicants that expand, improve or adapt a proven community program in Ontario. For-profit businesses are ineligible. Grants range from $50,000 to $200,000 per year for two or three years, for a total of $100,000 to $600,000.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding: $600,000
Minimum funding: $100,000

Financing goals

Increase social or community impact
Develop strategic partnerships
Strengthen organizational capacity

Eligible candidates

Location: Ontario
Eligible Industries: All industries
Annual revenue: All revenue ranges
Organisation size: All organization sizes
Audience: All groups
Legal structures: Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation: Culture and Arts, Sports, Social Services, Environment
Target groups: General public, Children & youth, Young adults, Seniors, Indigenous peoples, People with disabilities, Women & girls, Rural / Remote communities, Artists / creatives, Nonprofits / charities, Low-income individuals / families
Scope: Local

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026

Periods: 3

Latest changes

October 7, 2026

Grow Grant scope and start date updated

OTF updated the Grow Grant to require community impact within one of its 16 Ontario catchment areas and moved the permitted project start-date window to March 10 to September 10, 2027.

OTF now says Grow Grant projects must meet community need within one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario, and project assessment now explicitly requires demonstrating impact within one of those areas. The application questions also now show a permitted project start-date window of March 10 to September 10, 2027, replacing March 10 to September 10, 2026. The Grow Grant page also adds a notice that organization information may be used to assess eligibility for other OTF grants and the Organization Mentor role.

Official source: otf.ca

October 7, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Charitable organizations or foundations registered with the Canada Revenue Agency that have been registered and actively operating for at least 12 months.
Organizations incorporated as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction, including Métis and Inuit organizations, and Chartered Community Councils operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario, that have been registered or incorporated and actively operating for at least 12 months.
All First Nations; First Nations seeking funding for their libraries must apply on behalf of the library.
Municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less, county library boards, and local services boards serving populations of 20,000 or less, only for Foster physically active lifestyles or Enriching lives through arts, culture and heritage.
Collaboratives of two or more organizations with an eligible lead organization, and religious entities or faith-based groups that are registered charities or not-for-profit corporations providing direct community programs and services that are not religious activities and do not require participation in faith.

Who is not eligible

Municipalities with a population of over 20,000.

Eligible expenses

Direct project staff costs, including salaries, mandatory employment costs and benefits.
Direct project costs for purchased services, workshops and meetings, supplies and materials, and travel.
Project-related overhead and administration, up to 15% of the budget before capital costs.
Project-related capital costs, up to 20% of the total budget, including equipment and eligible renovations, repairs or retrofits. Related development costs may be up to 20% of the construction and renovation 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 in Ontario

Activities funded

Expand an existing program or service
Improve an existing program or service
Adapt an existing program or service

How to apply

Submit all grant applications through the Granting Portal.
Complete the short questionnaire before starting an application.
Returning users sign in to the Granting Portal when the application becomes available.
New users create an OTF account to access available grant applications.

Open application portal

Documents Needed

Use the official Grow Grant application checklist to prepare for a future intake.

For every application. Complete the organization information, project plan and project budget. Describe the existing community program and show how you would expand, improve or adapt it.

Organization documents. Unless the applicant is a municipality or a First Nation, provide the two most recent fiscal years’ financial statements (at least one year if operating for less than two years), bylaws, and details of current board members and senior staff at director level and above. Include a surplus or deficit explanation when required.

Depending on the project. Provide a signed collaboration agreement for a joint application. Include at least one quote or estimate for goods or services above $5,000, including cumulative subcontracting with a single supplier. For capital upgrades, include photos or diagrams. Fixed equipment, outdoor installations or facility work also require proof of ownership or a qualifying lease with at least five years remaining at the application deadline. Municipal applicants use a signed ownership confirmation from a senior administrator.

Selection criteria

Community benefit and relevance (30%)
Project plan and feasibility (30%)
Project budget (30%)
Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%)

Processing and Agreement

Applications that do not meet the initial organization, financial, or governance criteria will not advance to the second stage of the assessment process and will not be fully reviewed.
All applicants are notified of the final decision approximately 4-5 months from the deadline date.
All OTF decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
Where OTF funding is part of a larger project, applicants must show that the OTF-funded components can be completed independently or that other funding sources have been secured before OTF releases funds.
If funds to complete the project are not secured in full within one year of signing the Grant Contract, the grant will be rescinded.

Additional information

Where feasible, OTF encourages the purchase of Ontario or Canadian goods and services.

Contacts

otf@otf.ca

Official sources

Grow Grant

Frequently Asked Questions about the OTF — Grow Grant Program

What is the OTF — Grow Grant?

The 2026 intake closed on November 4 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Check the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grow Grant page for the next intake. Grow supports eligible charities, nonprofits and certain public or Indigenous applicants that expand, improve or adapt a proven community program in Ontario. For-profit businesses are ineligible. Grants range from $50,000 to $200,000 per year for two or three years, for a total of $100,000 to $600,000.

How much funding can be received?

OTF — Grow Grant Funds up to $600,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the OTF — Grow Grant program?

To be eligible for the OTF — Grow Grant program, you must: Deliver programs and services in one of four sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, or human and social services Have a primary purpose, presence, and reputation for delivering community-based programs and services with direct community benefit in one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario Demonstrate the financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds and complete the proposed project

What expenses are eligible under OTF — Grow Grant?

Direct project staff costs, including salaries, mandatory employment costs and benefits. Direct project costs for purchased services, workshops and meetings, supplies and materials, and travel. Project-related overhead and administration, up to 15% of the budget before capital costs. Project-related capital costs, up to 20% of the total budget, including equipment and eligible renovations, repairs or retrofits. Related development costs may be up to 20% of the construction and renovation costs.

Who can I contact for more information about the OTF — Grow Grant?

You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at otf@otf.ca.

Where is the OTF — Grow Grant available?

The OTF — Grow Grant program is available the province of Ontario.

Who are the financial supporters of the OTF — Grow Grant?

OTF — Grow Grant is funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

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