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OTF — Organizational Mentors
Supports organizations mentoring grassroots groups to deliver funded projects
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program supports Organizational Mentors to partner with grassroots groups by providing administrative and project mentorship support, with 15% of the grant budget retained for overhead and administrative costs. It includes the requirement to sign an OM–Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement, with a 10% holdback released after OTF staff approve the final report.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- $ 250,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Language Minorities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Providing administrative support to a Grassroots Group delivering a funded Youth Opportunities Fund project.
- Providing project mentorship support to a Grassroots Group delivering a funded Youth Opportunities Fund project.
- Managing project funds and financial accountability for the funded project as the OTF grantee.
Documents Needed
- Signed OM–Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement
- Corporate registration details (e.g., business number and year of incorporation) where applicable
- Registered charity number and year of registration where applicable
- Financial statements meeting OTF requirements (most recent fiscal year, with comparative prior year)
- Governance information (e.g., board member list and bylaws)
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered charities
- Incorporated non-profit organizations (without share capital) in Canada
- First Nations
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations or businesses
- Individuals applying in their personal capacity
- Municipalities and their cultural or recreational agencies (including municipal libraries and museums)
- Universities, colleges, schools, hospitals, and their affiliated agencies
- Religious institutions or organizations
Eligible expenses
- Overhead and administrative costs (15% of the grant budget retained by the Organizational Mentor)
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred prior to being notified of grant approval
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- OTF reviews and assesses eligibility based on the submitted “Organization Information.”
- Eligible organizations are invited to complete the Organizational Mentor application.
- If the grant application is approved, the Organizational Mentor must enter into a formal, legally binding grant agreement with OTF.
- Final report is reviewed by OTF staff; once approved, holdback funds are released and the grant is closed.
Additional information
- Organizational Mentors (OMs) assume legal and financial responsibility for project deliverables and funds as the OTF grantee.
- Intellectual property developed through the project by the Grassroots Group remains the property of the Grassroots Group.
- If the OM–Grassroots Group relationship ends during the grant term, the grant may be rescinded and cannot automatically be transferred to a new OM.
- Grassroots groups must choose an OM; each OM may have its own partnership selection process.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OTF — Organizational Mentors Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the OTF — Organizational Mentors. 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 — Organizational Mentors?
This program supports Organizational Mentors to partner with grassroots groups by providing administrative and project mentorship support, with 15% of the grant budget retained for overhead and administrative costs. It includes the requirement to sign an OM–Grassroots Group Collaborative Agreement, with a 10% holdback released after OTF staff approve the final report.
How much funding can be received?
OTF — Organizational Mentors Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the OTF — Organizational Mentors program?
To be eligible for the OTF — Organizational Mentors program, you must:
Registered charity, incorporated non-profit, or First Nation
Minimum $250,000 annual revenue (last two fiscal years)
Capacity and infrastructure to mentor grassroots groups
What expenses are eligible under OTF — Organizational Mentors?
Providing administrative support to a Grassroots Group delivering a funded Youth Opportunities Fund project.
Providing project mentorship support to a Grassroots Group delivering a funded Youth Opportunities Fund project.
Managing project funds and financial accountability for the funded project as the OTF grantee.
Who can I contact for more information about the OTF — Organizational Mentors?
You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at yof@otf.ca.
Where is the OTF — Organizational Mentors available?
The OTF — Organizational Mentors program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OTF — Organizational Mentors a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OTF — Organizational Mentors is a Grant and Funding