How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 100000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the OTF — Seed Grant?

OTF — Seed Grant is funded by Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

What are OTF — Seed Grant's eligibility criterias?

Applicants must deliver programs and services in sectors such as sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, or human and social services within Ontario. Applicants must demonstrate financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds and successfully deliver the proposed project. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and certain municipalities with populations of 20,000 or less.

OTF — Seed Grant

Last Update: July 22, 2025

ON, Canada

Build capacity and resilience for delivering impactful community programs and services

OTF — Seed Grant at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $10,000 to $100,000

Timeline

Open Date : May 29, 2024
Closing date : June 26, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the OTF — Seed Grant program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides comprehensive financial support to help organizations enhance their ability to deliver beneficial community services in Ontario. The funding is designed to cover a range of eligible costs and ensure projects meet their objectives.

Minimum funding amount of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000 per project, per year.
Funding is available for both 6 or 12-month project terms.
Funds can be used to support Direct Personnel Costs including salaries, employment-related costs, and benefits.
Direct Non-Personnel Costs supported include purchased services, workshop and meeting costs, supplies and materials, non-fixed equipment, and travel.
Overhead and administrative costs directly tied to the project are covered up to 15% of the total budget.
Applicants must provide at least one quote or estimate for goods and services valued above $5,000. Multiple sub-contracts with a single supplier are considered cumulatively in this regard.
Funding does not cover taxes eligible for rebates, contingency funds, costs incurred prior to grant approval, fundraising or capital campaigns, or certain fixed equipment costs.
Grants can only be activated and funds released once the project is fully funded and project contracts are signed.

Eligible projects & activities

This grant supports projects that focus on building organizational capacity and resilience to enhance service delivery in communities. The eligible activities align with strategic planning, new program piloting, and skill development to address community needs.

Create or adapt organizational strategy to build resilience and capacity to deliver programs and services.
Prepare for the future by developing or adapting digital technology to deliver programs and services.
Enhance staff and/or volunteer skills to deliver programs and services.
Design and/or pilot an innovative program or service to address a community need.

Eligibility criteria of the OTF — Seed Grant program

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.

Who is eligible?

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.

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant supports the work of eligible non-profit organizations delivering community-based programs in specific areas of Ontario. The following geographical areas are eligible for companies to apply for this grant.

Organizations operating within one of Ontario Trillium Foundation's 16 geographic catchment areas.
Non-profit groups with a primary presence in the specified regions of Ontario.
Municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less within Ontario.

Eligibility criteria of the OTF — Seed Grant program

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.

How to apply to the OTF — Seed Grant program

Evaluate Eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria to ensure your organization fits the requirements.

Gather Organization Information

Compile your organization's incorporation or registration numbers, financial statements, governance documents, and a list of board members.

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.

Use Application Checklist

Review the application checklist to ensure all required information and documents are prepared.

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.

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.

Confirmation of Submission

Once submitted, receive a confirmation notification for record-keeping.

Additional information

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.

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