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The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants

Improve physical spaces for community use

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

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 200,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Organizations, including Métis and Inuit organizations, that have been registered or incorporated and actively operating for at least 12 months may be eligible for funding.
See full eligibility

Overview

The Capital Grant supports Ontario non-profit organizations, First Nations, municipalities, libraries and local services boards, and religious entities to improve physical spaces for community use. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $200,000 for projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed or non-fixed equipment.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$200,000
Minimum funding
$10,000
Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Implement environmental initiatives
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Renovate or expand facilities
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

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, Social Services, Environment
Target groups
Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
100% donations / grants
Scope
Municipal

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

OTF post-application steps updated

The OTF guidance on what happens after submission now describes eligibility review, scoring, orientation, contract return within 60 days, and grant activation steps.

See more

The OTF guide What Happens After You Submit an Application now explains how submissions are reviewed for applicant and project eligibility, completeness, and independent scoring before recommendations are made. It also adds a mandatory orientation meeting for successful applicants, requires the signed Grant Contract to be returned electronically within 60 days of receipt, and explains that grants are activated by electronic signing and paid by EFT. The same guide also newly describes final reporting, grant recognition, and compliance-audit expectations during the life of the grant.

Official source: otf.ca
September 21, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Organizations, including Métis and Inuit organizations, that have been registered or incorporated and actively operating for at least 12 months may be eligible for funding.
  • All First Nations are eligible for funding.
  • A municipality with a population of 20,000 or less is eligible to apply.
  • County Library Boards and Local Services Boards serving populations of 20,000 or less are eligible to apply.
  • Organizations that are religious entities or faith-based groups and are registered charities or not-for-profit corporations may be eligible if they provide direct program and services to the community at large that are not religious activities and do not include a requirement to participate in any dimensions of faith.

Who is not eligible

  • A person applying as an individual.
  • Municipalities with populations over 20,000 and their affiliated agencies; universities, colleges, schools and hospitals, and their affiliated agencies.
  • Organizations with a primary healthcare mandate or a primary education mandate; for-profit organizations.
  • Private or corporate foundations and their affiliated agencies; agencies of the provincial or federal government; organizations with less than one year (twelve months) of incorporation, operating and financial history.
  • Collaboratives; organizations engaged in political activity supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office; organizations with a primary purpose of bringing about change in law or government policy; organizations with a primary purpose to support and benefit other organizations or ineligible organizations financially or operationally.

Eligible expenses

  • Construction and renovation costs, including materials and/or contractor costs.
  • Equipment costs, including fixed and non-fixed equipment.
  • Developmental costs associated with construction, such as engineering plans, legal fees, or survey costs, up to 20% of the total project budget.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Taxes such as GST and HST that are eligible for a tax rebate, and all other costs eligible for rebates.
  • Contingency costs and unspecified miscellaneous expenses; costs incurred before the start date specified in an OTF grant contract.
  • General contributions to fundraising drives or capital campaigns; the financing of deficits.
  • Core operational funding, including operational costs that arise from the ongoing operation of an organization, overhead and administration costs directly related to the project that are more than 15% of the total project budget, and incremental overhead and administration costs that are not generated by the project.
  • Virtual spaces, activities that are religious or include a requirement to participate in any dimensions of faith, purchase of land and / or construction of a new building, and gambling and gambling-related activities.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Ontario

Activities funded

  • Purchase equipment.
  • Repair, renovate and/or retrofit a facility or indoor space.
  • Enhance or improve an outdoor structure or space.

How to apply

  • Create an OTF account to access the portal, or sign in to the Granting Portal if you already have an account.
  • Complete the short questionnaire to ensure you are a fit for this grant stream.
  • Submit all grant applications through the Granting Portal.
Open application portal

Documents Needed

  • Most recent completed financial statements
  • Board list and bylaws, if required
  • Proof of ownership or lease agreement, if required
  • Photos and diagrams of the project area
  • Quotes or estimates for goods and services over $5,000

Selection criteria

  • Grant Review Teams members and OTF staff are assigned to applications to review the project and provide a score independently, using the assessment criteria for that grant.
  • Applications are ranked according to the average of the Program Manager and the volunteers scores.
  • At the Grant Review Team meeting, the ranking is reviewed and, as a group, the Grant Review Team recommends a list of applications to be approved by OTF’s Board of Directors.

Processing and Agreement

  • Once submitted, an application is reviewed by an OTF Program Manager to ensure the applicant and its project are eligible for funding.
  • Grant Review Teams members and OTF staff are assigned to applications to review the project and provide a score independently, using the assessment criteria for that grant.
  • Applications are ranked according to the average of the Program Manager and the volunteers scores, and the Grant Review Team recommends a list of applications to be approved by OTF’s Board of Directors.
  • All applicants are then notified of the final decision, approximately 4-5 months from the deadline date, and all OTF decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
  • Successful applicants take part in a mandatory orientation meeting, and the Signatory Contact must review the Grant Contract, sign it, and submit it back to OTF within 60 days of receipt to remain valid; grant payments are made through electronic funds transfer (EFT) once a grant becomes active; grantees submit a final report when the project is complete; after OTF staff approve the final report, grant hold-back funds are released and the grant is closed.

Contacts

otf@otf.ca
1 800 263-2887 x.423

Official sources

Capital Grant

Program guide

Capital Grant Application QuestionsEligibility PolicyFinancial Need and Health of Applicants Policy

Application form

Most Common Application Mistakes

Application portal

Registration

Supporting document

Financial Position CalculatorFinancial Statement RequirementsLease Agreement Requirements
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Frequently Asked Questions about the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants Program

What is the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants?

The Capital Grant supports Ontario non-profit organizations, First Nations, municipalities, libraries and local services boards, and religious entities to improve physical spaces for community use. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $200,000 for projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed or non-fixed equipment.

How much funding can be received?

The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants Funds up to $200,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants program?

To be eligible for the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants program, you must: Deliver programs and services in sports and recreation, arts and culture, environment, or 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 financial and organizational capacity to manage OTF funds and complete the proposed project.

What expenses are eligible under The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants?

Construction and renovation costs, including materials and/or contractor costs. Equipment costs, including fixed and non-fixed equipment. Developmental costs associated with construction, such as engineering plans, legal fees, or survey costs, up to 20% of the total project budget.

Who can I contact for more information about the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants?

You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at otf@otf.ca or by phone at 1 800 263-2887 x.423.

Where is the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants available?

The The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?

The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants is a Grant and Funding