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OTF — Seed Grant

Supports community-based program development

Offered by
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
Official source: otf.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 100,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Non-profit organizations
See full eligibility

Overview

Seed Grant supports eligible non-profit organizations in Ontario to strengthen community-based programs and services. Funded projects can include strategic planning, digital technology improvements, training for staff or volunteers, and piloting innovative services.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$100,000
Minimum funding
$10,000
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop a new program or service
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
Legal structures
Non-profit
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
Target groups
Nonprofits / charities
Scope
Local, Municipal, Regional, Provincial

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

Seed Grant process details updated

OTF published post-submission guidance for the Seed Grant, including the review process, mandatory orientation meeting, and contract activation steps.

See more

OTF has added official post-submission guidance for the Seed Grant. The new material explains that applicants are reviewed by a Program Manager, that final decisions are typically issued about 4–5 months after the deadline, and that successful applicants must complete a mandatory orientation meeting before the grant can be activated. The guidance also says the grant contract must be signed and returned within 60 days of receipt, and that payments are made by EFT once the grant becomes active. The application questions page was also updated to reference OTF’s Digital Services and Data Policy, Access to Information Policy, and Privacy Statement.

Official source: otf.ca
September 20, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Non-profit organizations
  • First Nations
  • Municipalities with 20,000 or fewer residents
  • Libraries and local service boards serving 20,000 or fewer residents
  • Collaborative groups and eligible faith-based organizations

Who is not eligible

  • Municipalities with more than 20,000 residents
  • Organizations that do not meet OTF’s eligibility requirements
  • Faith-based groups providing religious activities or requiring participation in faith dimensions

Eligible expenses

  • Purchase of Ontario or Canadian goods and services, where feasible
  • Goods and services valued above $5,000 require at least one quote or estimate
  • Multiple purchases from the same supplier must be combined and treated as one if the total exceeds $5,000

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Operational costs that arise from the ongoing operation of an organization
  • Incremental new overhead and administration costs that are not generated by the project
  • Personal one-on-one professional services, including direct therapy, counselling, legal, and accounting advice
  • Projects that primarily focus on capital costs, including updating buildings, enhancing physical spaces, purchasing large equipment and vehicles

Eligible geographic areas

  • Ontario
  • One of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas

Activities funded

  • Strategic planning, governance and organizational planning, assessing current delivery, and developing new approaches for a specific program or service
  • Developing or adapting digital technology to deliver programs and services, including online booking systems, mobile apps, virtual meeting tools, and service digitization
  • Training, workshops, or mentorship opportunities that build skills for staff and volunteers
  • Designing or piloting innovative programs or services to address a community need

How to apply

  • Step 1: Review eligibility and application requirements
    • Check the eligibility criteria and application questions before starting.
  • Step 2: Prepare organization documents
    • Gather organization details, financial statements, and governance information.
  • Step 3: Prepare project documents
    • Define project objectives, build the project plan, and collect quotes or estimates if needed.
    • Include a collaborative agreement and photos of non-fixed equipment if applicable.
  • Step 4: Submit through the Granting Portal
    • Create or sign in to an OTF account and complete the online application.
    • Upload the required information and submit before the deadline.
Open application portal

Documents Needed

  • Organization incorporation or registration details
  • Recent financial statements
  • Board of directors list and bylaws
  • Quotes or estimates for goods and services over $5,000
  • Collaborative agreement, if applicable

Selection criteria

  • Projects are assessed for how they will lead to direct community impact.
  • Applicants must explain how technological improvements will affect a specific program or service rather than meet organizational needs.
  • The focus is on innovation, responsiveness, learning, and the potential to scale successful initiatives in the future.

Processing and Agreement

  • After submission, an OTF Program Manager reviews the application for eligibility, and Grant Review Team members and OTF staff score applications independently using the assessment criteria.
  • Applications are ranked by the average of the Program Manager and volunteers’ scores, then the Grant Review Team recommends applications to OTF’s Board of Directors for approval.
  • All applicants are notified of the final decision approximately 4-5 months from the deadline date.
  • Successful applicants must attend a mandatory orientation meeting before activation; the Signatory Contact then receives the Grant Contract by email and must sign and return it within 60 days of receipt.
  • Grants are activated when contracts are returned electronically; payments are made by electronic funds transfer, grantees submit a final report when the project is complete, hold-back funds are released after approval, and grants may be subject to a Grantee Compliance Audit.

Additional information

  • Free support resources are available, including webinars, project-specific coaching calls, and a Support Centre for general inquiries or technical assistance.

Official sources

Seed Grant

Program guide

Seed Grant Application QuestionsSeed Grant Application ResourcesWhat Happens After You Submit an Application

Application form

Sector Grant Application Resources

Application portal

OTF’s Granting Portal
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Frequently Asked Questions about the OTF — Seed Grant Program

What is the OTF — Seed Grant?

Seed Grant supports eligible non-profit organizations in Ontario to strengthen community-based programs and services. Funded projects can include strategic planning, digital technology improvements, training for staff or volunteers, and piloting innovative services.

How much funding can be received?

OTF — Seed Grant Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the OTF — Seed Grant program?

To be eligible for the OTF — Seed Grant program, you must: Eligible non-profit organizations delivering direct community-based programs and services in Ontario One main project objective must be selected The project must fit one of the four listed objectives

What expenses are eligible under OTF — Seed Grant?

Purchase of Ontario or Canadian goods and services, where feasible Goods and services valued above $5,000 require at least one quote or estimate Multiple purchases from the same supplier must be combined and treated as one if the total exceeds $5,000

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

You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

Where is the OTF — Seed Grant available?

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

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

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