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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
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