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OTF — Grow Grant - Ontario - Canada
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OTF — Grow Grant

Empower proven community projects in Ontario to increase their impact with substantial funding over multiple years
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 600,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : October 9, 2024
  • Closing date : November 6, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada

Overview

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.

/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 600,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 50,000 $
Timeline
  • Open Date : October 9, 2024
  • Closing date : November 6, 2024

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Health care and social assistance
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
  • Other services (except public administration)
  • Public administration
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Culture and Arts
  • Sports
  • Other Recreation and Social Clubs
  • Social Services
  • Environment
  • Economic, Social and Community Development
  • Children and Youth Organizations
  • Diversity and Inclusion
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
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • Local
  • Municipal
  • Regional
  • Provincial

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

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.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

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.

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

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.

Additional information

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about the OTF — Grow Grant Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the OTF — Grow Grant. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the OTF — Grow Grant?

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.

How much funding can be received?

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

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was November 6, 2024.

Who is eligible for the OTF — Grow Grant program?

To be eligible for the OTF — Grow Grant program, you must: The applicant must be a non-profit organization, Indigenous community, or a municipality, library, or local services board with a population of 20,000 or less. Programs and services must be delivered in Ontario within one of OTF's 16 geographic catchment areas. The applicant must demonstrate the financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds and complete the proposed project.

What expenses are eligible under OTF — Grow Grant?

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.

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

You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

Where is the OTF — Grow Grant available?

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

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