OTF — Seed Grant
ON, Canada
Build capacity and resilience for delivering impactful community programs and services
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 29, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateJune 26, 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 Seed Grant program provides funding to help organizations build resilience and enhance their ability to deliver programs and services that benefit community members in Ontario. Eligible activities include organizational planning, piloting a new program, and capacity building for future programs, with funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for 6 to 12 months. Applicants must be non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, or certain municipalities and collaboratives, focusing on sectors like sports and recreation, arts and culture, the environment, and human and social services.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to eligible non-profit organizations located within specific geographic catchment areas in Ontario. Ensuring alignment with local community needs, applications must focus their primary activities in one of the designated zones.
- Catchment areas 1-16 in Ontario as designated by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant must deliver programs and services in one of the following sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.
- The applicant must 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.
- The applicant must demonstrate the financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds, and deliver and complete the proposed project as per OTF’s Financial Need and Health of Applicants policy.
- The applicant must be one of the following: a registered charitable organization, an incorporated not-for-profit corporation without share capital, a First Nation, a Chartered Community Council under the Métis Nation of Ontario, an Inuit community, or a municipality with a population of 20,000 or less.
- Collaboratives must have a lead organization that meets OTF eligibility requirements and include a formal, signed collaborative agreement.
- For religious entities or faith-based groups, they must be a registered charity or not-for-profit corporation providing non-religious community services.
- Ineligible applicants include municipalities with populations over 20,000.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Seed Grant include non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, municipalities (under 20,000 population), libraries, local services boards, collaboratives, and religious entities in Ontario delivering community-based programs in sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services. They should have a reputation for delivering such programs with direct community benefits and demonstrate the capacity to manage funds effectively.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific restrictions on the types of companies and industries eligible for this grant. The guidelines focus on ensuring that only organizations aligned with the community-focused objectives of the grant can apply.
- Municipalities with populations over 20,000.
- Organizations that do not operate as non-profit entities.
- Companies primarily engaged in religious activities that require participation in dimensions of faith.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Seed Grant provides funding to help organizations build resilience and enhance their program delivery capacity. Eligible projects are focused on planning, innovation, and capacity-building to benefit Ontario communities.
- Creation or adaptation of organizational strategies to strengthen resilience and capacity for delivering services.
- Development or adaptation of digital technology to support future program and service delivery.
- Enhancement of staff and volunteer skills to improve program delivery.
- Designing and piloting innovative programs or services that address community needs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses directly tied to delivering and implementing the project.
- Salaries, mandatory employment-related costs, and employee benefits for staff funded specifically to carry out the project.
- Purchased services necessary for project implementation.
- Costs associated with workshops and meetings directly related to the project.
- Supplies and materials required for project execution.
- Non-fixed equipment needed to deliver the project.
- Travel costs associated with the project.
- Overhead and administrative costs associated with the funded project, up to a maximum of 15% of the total budget.
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%): The application must clearly demonstrate how the project fits with the selected funding priority and objective, responds to a community need, and provides realistic and achievable local benefits.
- Project plan and feasibility (30%): The project plan should detail implementation steps, deliverables, key tasks, and timelines. It must be feasible, ready-to-go, and show a high likelihood of success. Collaboratives should have a suitable agreement in place.
- Project budget (30%): A clear and aligned budget to the project plan, deliverables, and key tasks. The costs should be appropriate, reasonable, and valid for the activities outlined.
- Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%): Projects should engage populations facing barriers like socio-economic, geographic, cultural, gender, abilities, or racial challenges to enhance program participation.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Evaluate Eligibility
- Review the eligibility criteria to ensure your organization fits the requirements.
- Step 2: Gather Organization Information
- Compile your organization's incorporation or registration numbers, financial statements, governance documents, and a list of board members.
- Step 3: Gather Project Information
- Define the project objectives and prepare a detailed project plan.
- Identify and document budget items and obtain quotes for goods and services valued over $5,000.
- Step 4: Use Application Checklist
- Review the application checklist to ensure all required information and documents are prepared.
- Step 5: Create or Sign In to Granting Portal
- If new, create an OTF account on the Granting Portal. If returning, sign in to your existing account.
- Step 6: Complete and Submit Application
- Complete the online application form on the Granting Portal.
- Upload all required documents and verify for accuracy.
- Submit the application by the deadline.
- Step 7: Confirmation of Submission
- Once submitted, receive a confirmation notification for record-keeping.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
There are a few other miscellaneous details about the grant.
- Grant application period is closed, and decisions will be communicated to applicants.
- OTF reserves the right to ask successful applicants for updated organization information at any time throughout the life of the grant.
Apply to this program
Strengthening Non-Profit Capacity with OTF Seed Grants
The Ontario Trillium Foundation's Seed Grant offers an excellent opportunity for non-profit organizations focused on delivering community programs and services in sectors like arts, sports, environment, and human services to enhance their operational capabilities. With funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the grant aims to build organizational resilience and support the development of new initiatives that address community needs.
Detailed Insights into the OTF Seed Grant Application Process and Benefits
The Seed Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is strategically designed to empower non-profit organizations across Ontario by bolstering their capacity to deliver impactful community programs and services. Eligible entities, including registered charities, not-for-profit corporations, Indigenous communities, and small municipalities, can leverage this grant to initiate or pilot novel programs that stimulate community engagement and address specific local needs. Applicants should operate within one of OTF’s 16 designated geographic catchment areas and focus on sectors such as arts and culture, sports and recreation, environmental conservation, and human and social services.
The grant encourages organizations to strategically plan and execute projects that are aligned with one or more of OTF's funding priorities. These priorities include fostering physically active lifestyles, enhancing social connections, enriching cultural heritage, supporting youth development, and enabling economically vulnerable populations to achieve financial stability. By aligning with these objectives, organizations increase their chances of securing funding that can be transformational in scale.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate robust organizational capacity and provide evidence of their financial health to confidently manage grant funds. This includes submitting detailed financial statements from recent fiscal years, as well as governance documents such as bylaws and lists of board members. A clear and strategic project plan is also required, outlining objectives, project phases, budget items, and potential impacts. Organizations must tailor their budgets to cover eligible costs associated with personnel, supplies, and administrative overhead, not exceeding the $100,000 cap.
The impact of the OTF Seed Grant extends beyond financial assistance. Successful applicants benefit from participating in an orientation session with program managers, who guide them through the process of activating the grant and meeting compliance requirements. They are also required to publicly acknowledge the support received from OTF and the Government of Ontario, thereby enhancing their visibility and credibility within the community.
For organizations aiming to enhance community involvement and services, the Seed Grant provides an essential platform to innovate and adapt to changing community landscapes. Through a rigorous assessment process that evaluates community relevance, clarity of project execution, feasibility, and potential impact, OTF ensures that its grants drive meaningful improvements in Ontario's communities. The grant not only provides a financial boost but also incentivizes strategic planning and sustainable growth among Ontario's non-profits, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of local quality of life.
