OTF — Grow Grant
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
ON, Canada
Empower proven community projects in Ontario to increase their impact with substantial funding over multiple years
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDate October 9, 2024
- grant_single|closingDate November 6, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Grow Grant aims to elevate successful community projects to a new level by offering funding between $100,000 and $600,000 over 2 or 3 years. It supports established programs and services in Ontario's non-profit sector that have a proven track record, focusing on sectors like sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services. Eligible activities include expanding, improving, or adapting an existing program or service to increase its impact on the community.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
Grow Grants provide a comprehensive funding solution designed to enhance community projects' impact. These grants facilitate financial support across different project categories with specific requirements to ensure effective execution and accountability.
- Funding ranges from $100,000 to $600,000 over a term of 2 or 3 years.
- Applicants can request between $50,000 and $200,000 annually.
- Eligible budget categories include Direct Personnel Costs, Direct Non-Personnel Costs, and Overhead and Administration Costs, capped at 15% of the budget before applicable capital costs.
- Capital costs can constitute up to 20% of the budget for purchases directly relating to the project's objective, including equipment and renovations.
- A minimum of one quote or estimate is required for goods and services valued over $5,000, with preference for two or more quotes for better value demonstration.
- All necessary funds must be secured, or there should be a reasonable plan to secure remaining funds, prior to accessing grant disbursements.
- Ineligible costs include taxes eligible for rebate, contingency costs, pre-approval incurred costs, fundraising drives, and capital campaigns.
- Grants are disbursed through electronic funds transfer upon activation and contractual agreement completion.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports established community projects that aim to create a greater impact through expansion, improvement, or adaptation. Eligible initiatives are those that have shown a proven track record of success and meet local community needs.
- Expansion of existing community programs or services to serve more people or areas.
- Improvements to current programs or services to enhance their effectiveness and reach.
- Adaptation of successful projects to address evolving community challenges and opportunities.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 120,000
Launching a local organic produce delivery service to improve food accessibility
$ 160,000
Renovating a historic theatre to support cultural activities
$ 90,000
Creating a community support program for mental health care
$ 64,000
Launching a digital marketplace platform for local artisans to expand their market reach
$ 80,000
Developing sustainable waste management systems for small businesses
$ 200,000
Establishing a wind energy cooperative to promote renewable energy use
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligible applicants for the Grow Grant must meet specific criteria related to their organizational structure and operational goals.
- Applicants must deliver programs and services in one of the following sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.
- Applicants should have a primary purpose, presence, and reputation for delivering community-based programs with direct community impact within one of the 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario.
- Affirmation of the financial and organizational capacity to manage the grant funds and complete the proposed project as per the Financial Need and Health of Applicants policy is required.
- Applicants must be either a non-profit organization, an Indigenous community, or certain municipalities and local services boards with a population of 20,000 or less, among other specific organizational types.
- For collaborative applications, the lead organization must meet all defined eligibility criteria and a formal collaborative agreement must be presented.
- Religious entities and faith-based groups are eligible if they provide community-wide services that are secular in nature.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
OTF grants are open to eligible non-profit organizations aimed at delivering direct community-based programs and services in Ontario. Eligibility criteria include several specific requirements that an organization must meet:1. Non-profit Organizations: - Must deliver programs and services in the sectors of sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, or human and social services. - Must have a primary purpose, presence, and reputation for delivering community-based programs and services within one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario. - Must demonstrate financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds according to OTF’s financial policies. - Eligible organizations must be either a registered charitable organization with the Canada Revenue Agency or a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction.2. Indigenous Communities: - First Nations, if seeking funding for libraries, must apply on behalf of the library. - Chartered Community Councils under the Métis Nation of Ontario. - Inuit communities.3. Municipalities, Libraries, and Local Services Boards: - Municipalities with populations of 20,000 or less, county library boards, and local services boards serving populations of 20,000 or less. Eligible categories include fostering physically active lifestyles or enriching lives through arts, culture, and heritage. Municipalities over 20,000 populations are ineligible.4. Collaboratives: - Two or more organizations can apply if the lead organization meets OTF’s criteria. The lead organization will be responsible for the application and administration of the grant.5. Religious Entities: - Organizations that are registered charities or not-for-profit corporations must provide community services that are not religious in nature and do not require participation in religious activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
OTF Grow Grants have specific eligibility restrictions to ensure the funds support appropriate organizations and activities. Organizations that do not align with OTF's mission or eligibility criteria are excluded.
- Municipalities with a population of over 20,000.
- Entities not primarily delivering programs and services in Ontario.
- Organizations that do not have a primary purpose of delivering direct community-based programs in Ontario.
- Entities not compliant with certain political activity requirements.
- Applicants with insufficient financial documentation or capacity to manage the grant.
- Organizations not fitting into eligible sectors such as sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant aims to enhance established community projects that have demonstrated success, fostering increased impact and benefit to the community. Eligible projects focus on expanding, improving, or adapting existing programs to meet community needs.
- Expansion of existing successful community programs or services.
- Improvement or enhancement of established services for broader reach.
- Adaptation of effective programs to better serve community demands.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is targeted at organizations delivering community-based programs and services in Ontario. Eligible areas are defined by the funding body to meet regional impact and development goals.
- Organizations must deliver services within one of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Community benefit and relevance (30%)
- Project plan and feasibility (30%)
- Project Budget (30%)
- Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%)
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
Apply to this program
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