Open
The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants
Funding for established programs to grow
Last Update: May 27, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 200,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Funding supports established programs and services that need to expand, improve, or adapt. Grow grants range from $100,000 to $600,000 over 2 or 3 years.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Sports
- Social Services
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Children and Youth Organizations
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Expand an existing program or service
- Improve an existing program or service
- Adapt an existing program or service
Documents Needed
- Most recent financial statements with comparative prior-year information
- Business number
- Board of directors list and senior staff list
- By-laws
- Quotes or estimates for goods and services over $5,000
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations
- First Nations
- Municipalities, libraries and local services boards
- Collaboratives
- Religious entities
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations
- Private or corporate foundations
- Universities, colleges, schools and hospitals
- Provincial or federal government agencies
- Organizations with less than 12 months of operating history
Eligible expenses
- Personnel salaries, mandatory employment-related costs, and employee benefits
- Purchased services, workshops and meetings, supplies and materials, and travel
- Overhead and administration directly related to the project, up to 15%
- Capital costs such as equipment, renovations, repairs, retrofits, and related development costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before grant approval
- General fundraising drives or capital campaigns
- Contingency and miscellaneous expenses
- Taxes eligible for rebates
- Flow-through funding to third parties
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
- One of OTF’s 16 geographic catchment areas in Ontario
Selection criteria
- Community benefit and relevance: 30%
- Project plan and feasibility: 30%
- Project budget: 30%
- Participation for populations experiencing barriers: 10%
How to apply
- Step 1: Check eligibility
- Review the grant requirements and complete the short fit questionnaire in the Granting Portal.
- Gather organization information, financial statements, and governance details.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Describe the existing program, project objective, project plan, and budget.
- Collect supporting documents such as quotes, proof of ownership or lease, and a Collaborative Agreement if applicable.
- Step 3: Submit through the portal
- Sign in or create an OTF account in the Granting Portal.
- Complete the online application and upload required documents.
- Submit before the deadline; the application is final once submitted.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by OTF staff for eligibility and completeness
- Eligible projects are scored by staff and local volunteers against assessment criteria
- Local Grant Review Team volunteers make funding recommendations to the Board of Directors
- Applicants receive a final decision about 4 to 5 months after the deadline
- Successful applicants complete an orientation meeting and sign a Grant Contract before activation
Additional information
- Applications are submitted through OTF’s Granting Portal.
- A collaborative application requires a formal, signed Collaborative Agreement.
- Successful applicants must attend a mandatory orientation meeting before activation.
- OTF decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
Frequently Asked Questions about the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants Program
What is the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants?
Funding supports established programs and services that need to expand, improve, or adapt. Grow grants range from $100,000 to $600,000 over 2 or 3 years.
How much funding can be received?
The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants Funds up to 20% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants program?
To be eligible for the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants program, you must:
Established community-based service
Direct community benefit in Ontario
Fits an OTF funding priority
What expenses are eligible under The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants?
Expand an existing program or service
Improve an existing program or service
Adapt an existing program or service
Who can I contact for more information about the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants?
You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
Where is the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants available?
The The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants is a Other Support