How much funding can be received?

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

Yes, there are several eligible projects and activities for this grant that focus on building community resilience and capacity. These projects include strategic planning, program innovation, and capacity enhancement tailored to foster local development.

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.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for this grant, organizations must deliver community-based programs in specific sectors and demonstrate their capacity to manage funds and complete projects. Eligible applicants must also be non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, or specific municipalities.

Deliver programs and services in one of four sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.
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.
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.
Demonstrate that it is the appropriate organization or community to carry out the proposed project.
Be one of the following:
A charitable organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency
An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
A First Nation
A Chartered Community Council, operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario
An Inuit community
A municipality with a population of 20,000 or less, county library boards and local services boards serving populations of 20,000 or less in specified funding priorities
For collaborative applications: the lead organization must meet eligibility requirements, and include a formal, signed collaborative agreement.
For religious entities: Must be a registered charity or not-for-profit corporation providing direct programs and services to the community at large that are not religious activities and do not require participation in any dimensions of faith.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The grant is intended for eligible non-profit organizations in Ontario that deliver direct community-based programs and services. These organizations must operate in sectors such as sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, and human and social services.

Charitable organizations registered with the Canada Revenue Agency
Organizations incorporated as not-for-profit corporations without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Chartered Community Councils under the Métis Nation of Ontario, and Inuit communities
Municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less and their cultural or recreation agencies
Collaboratives where the lead organization meets eligibility criteria
Religious entities that provide non-religious community programs and services

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Certain types of companies are not eligible for the grant. In particular, any organization that does not meet the mission and mandate criteria, and organizations that do not operate in Ontario, are typically ineligible.

Organizations that do not clearly demonstrate a primary purpose of delivering community-based programs in Ontario.
Organizations operating at province-wide or national levels rather than focusing on a specific Ontario community catchment area.
Entities that cannot demonstrate financial and organizational capacity to manage funds as per guidelines.
Municipalities with populations over 20,000 (except under specific priorities).

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for the Seed Grant include costs that enable the delivery of the project, with specific guidelines for personnel and non-personnel costs. The project budget must range from $10,000 to $100,000, and must be aligned with the project plan's key tasks and deliverables.

Direct Personnel Costs: Salaries, mandatory employment-related costs, and benefits for project-specific staff positions.
Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Purchased Service
Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Workshops/Meetings
Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Supplies and Materials
Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Non-Fixed Equipment
Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Travel
Overhead and Administration Costs related to the project, up to 15% of the total budget.
Quotes and estimates must be provided for each goods and services valued above $5,000.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Eligible geographic zones for this grant are based on OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas within Ontario. These zones cover regions where organizations must deliver direct community-based programs and services.

OTF's 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario
Organizations must deliver community-based programs and services in these areas

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, the grant includes evaluation and selection criteria which assess the eligibility of applicants and projects, as well as the clarity and strength of proposals to ensure they effectively benefit the community. Applications are evaluated based on community benefit, project feasibility, budget alignment, and inclusion of populations experiencing barriers.

Eligibility of applicants: Fit with funding criteria, financial capacity, organizational structure, compliance with political activity requirements.
Eligibility of projects: Alignment with funding priorities, compliance with OTF policies, and capacity to deliver the project.
Community benefit and relevance (30%): Fit with funding priority, response to community need, anticipated local benefits.
Project plan and feasibility (30%): Clear implementation plan, deliverables, tasks, timelines, and likelihood of success.
Project budget (30%): Clarity, appropriateness, alignment with project plan, and all funds secured or with a plan to secure them.
Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%): Impact on populations facing socio-economic, geographic, cultural, gender, abilities, or racial barriers.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Gather your organization information and assess your eligibility
Collect details such as incorporation number, charitable registration number, business number, and financial statements for the 2 recent fiscal years.
Ensure compliance with governance information requirements: list of current board of directors, senior staff, and by-laws.
If not eligible, the application will not proceed for a full review.
Step 2: Gather your project information and documentation
Identify your project objective and prepare your project plan.
Align budget items to your project plan and obtain quotes for goods and services above $5,000.
If applicable, provide photos of non-fixed equipment.
For collaborative applications, obtain a formal signed Collaborative Agreement.
Step 3: Complete and submit your application
Use the OTF Granting Portal to start your application.
Ensure the application is finalized and submitted before the deadline.
Applications are final upon submission and cannot be changed.

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

Seed Grant Overview

The Seed Grant is a funding opportunity aimed at helping eligible non-profit organizations in Ontario build capacity and resilience to better deliver community-focused programs and services. Organizations can apply for funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to support planning, pilot a new program, or enhance digital and organizational capabilities for future sustainability.

Understanding the Seed Grant: Enhancing Community-based Program Delivery in Ontario

The Seed Grant is a vital initiative designed to empower non-profit organizations in Ontario by providing crucial funding that supports their operational resilience and capacity to deliver impactful programs and services. Whether it's building organizational strategy, enhancing digital capabilities, or piloting innovative programs, the Seed Grant is a flexible tool aimed at fostering community benefit through targeted financial assistance. The Seed Grant, administered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), is a strategic funding pathway dedicated to building healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. Focusing on direct community benefit, OTF has crafted this grant to address specific needs within indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, and certain municipalities, enhancing their ability to deliver sustained social, cultural, and environmental benefits. To begin with, let's explore the eligibility criteria for this grant. OTF’s funding focuses on organizations that operate in specific sectors: sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, as well as human and social services. It's essential for applicants to demonstrate a strong presence, purpose, and reputation for delivering these community-based programs within OTF’s defined catchment areas in Ontario. The applicant organizations must show sound financial health and organizational capacity, underscoring their ability to effectively manage and complete the proposed project in line with OTF’s financial need and health policies. Notably, eligible organizations include registered Canadian charitable organizations, not-for-profits incorporated without share capital, First Nations, Chartered Community Councils under the Métis Nation of Ontario, and Inuit communities. Additionally, municipalities with a population of 20,000 or fewer can apply under certain funding priorities, such as fostering physically active lifestyles or enriching lives through arts, culture, and heritage. The application process is comprehensive, with a structured checklist to guide applicants through gathering organizational information, assessing eligibility, compiling project details, and assembling essential documents. Applicants must identify clear project objectives that align with the grant’s goals, such as creating or adapting organizational strategies, enhancing staff and volunteer skills, preparing for digital transformation, or designing/piloting innovative community programs and services. Part of preparing a successful application involves creating a well-defined project budget and identifying eligible costs. Applicants can seek funding to cover both personnel and non-personnel costs, including salaries, mandatory employment-related costs, and various operational expenses tied directly to the project. It's crucial to ensure that budget items are properly aligned with the project plan and objectives, and that they offer a realistic and feasible approach to achieving the identified community benefits. When evaluating applications, OTF places a strong emphasis on the clarity, relevance, and potential impact of proposed projects. Applications are assessed by experienced staff along with local volunteers, ensuring that projects are not only administratively feasible but also genuinely beneficial to the community. Scoring criteria include community benefit and relevance, project feasibility, clarity of project budget, and the potential for engaging populations experiencing barriers to participation. Successful applicants will engage in an orientation meeting with an OTF Program Manager, receiving detailed information about grant requirements and expectations. Once approved, grant payments are made via electronic funds transfer, facilitating prompt project initiation and implementation. Given the importance of community impact, the Seed Grant program encourages organizations to think strategically about their projects, ensuring they are not merely short-term fixes but sustainable solutions that enhance community resilience over time. The flexibility in selecting project objectives allows organizations to tailor their initiatives to specific community needs, whether it's through technological adoption, skill development, or new program pilots. Moreover, applicants are encouraged to explore collaborative opportunities that can amplify project success through combined expertise and resources. A formal, signed collaborative agreement is required for such applications, ensuring clear roles and accountability between participating organizations. For those considering applying, it is imperative to avoid common application pitfalls such as incomplete documentation, misalignment of budget and project plan, and insufficient explanation of community benefits. Each application is an opportunity to showcase a visionary approach toward addressing local needs in innovative and impactful ways. In conclusion, the Seed Grant is a dynamic resource available to non-profits and community organizations in Ontario. It underscores the commitment of the Ontario Trillium Foundation to prioritize impactful, community-centric projects that empower organizations to improve their delivery of essential services, ultimately building a stronger, inclusive society. By supporting digital transformation, capacity building, and innovative program design, the Seed Grant significantly contributes to fostering economically resilient and socially connected communities throughout Ontario.

OTF — Seed Grant

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single_labels|preview