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OTF — System Innovations Grant
Collaborative systems-change funding for youth
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 250,000
Timeline
- Open Date : October 15, 2025
- Closing date : March 11, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Supports collaborative systems-change projects for youth in Ontario. Funding can reach $250,000 per year for groundwork or implementation focused on improving services, reducing barriers, and strengthening youth outcomes.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : October 15, 2025
- Closing date : March 11, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Rural or Northern Residents
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Other Education
- Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
- Law and Legal Services
- Social Services
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Groundwork to prepare a systems-change strategy
- Implementation of a systems-change action plan
- Both groundwork and implementation within one project
Documents Needed
- Organization information
- Most recent financial statements
- Board of directors list
- By-laws
- Signed collaborative agreement
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Charitable organizations and public foundations
- Not-for-profit corporations
- First Nations
- Small municipalities and their cultural or recreational agencies
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- For-profit businesses
- Newly formed nonprofits under 5 years
- Municipalities above the small-municipality threshold
- Universities, colleges, schools, hospitals, and affiliated agencies
- Religious organizations or institutions
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs directly tied to the project
- Purchased services, equipment, supplies, and materials
- Meetings, convenings, travel, and knowledge-sharing event costs
- Honorariums and evaluation costs
- Project-related overhead and administration up to 15%
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Extended service or program delivery
- Ongoing operating costs of the lead organization
- Direct therapy, counseling, legal, or accounting services
- Capital renovations and infrastructure projects
- Political, religious, fundraising, bursary, scholarship, and contingency costs
- Taxes eligible for rebate
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Application is reviewed by OTF staff and volunteers.
- Funding recommendations are made by the Grant Review Committee.
- OTF’s Board of Directors reviews and approves selected projects.
- Applicants are notified about four months after the deadline.
- If approved, grantees must report, be evaluated, and host one knowledge-sharing event.
- Final payment is released after the final report is approved.
Additional information
- Projects require a formal, signed collaborative agreement.
- OTF may request updated organization information during the grant period.
- Knowledge sharing is required before the grant ends.
- Selected grantees must work with an external evaluation partner provided by OTF.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OTF — System Innovations Grant Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the OTF — System Innovations Grant. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the OTF — System Innovations Grant?
Supports collaborative systems-change projects for youth in Ontario. Funding can reach $250,000 per year for groundwork or implementation focused on improving services, reducing barriers, and strengthening youth outcomes.
How much funding can be received?
OTF — System Innovations Grant Funds up to $250,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 11, 2026.
Who is eligible for the OTF — System Innovations Grant program?
To be eligible for the OTF — System Innovations Grant program, you must:
Ontario-based lead organization
Collaborative with youth involvement
At least 5 years as a nonprofit
What expenses are eligible under OTF — System Innovations Grant?
Groundwork to prepare a systems-change strategy
Implementation of a systems-change action plan
Both groundwork and implementation within one project
Who can I contact for more information about the OTF — System Innovations Grant?
You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at yof@otf.ca or by phone at 1 800 263-2887.
Where is the OTF — System Innovations Grant available?
The OTF — System Innovations Grant program is available Ontario, Ontario.