The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants

• Most recent completed financial statements prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations (ASNPO, Part III of the CPA Canada Handbook)
• If your organization has an accumulated surplus greater than 12 months or an accumulated deficit greater than 10%, upload a separate explanation, a deficit reduction plan, and your current year’s operating budget
• Proof of ownership or a 5 year lease agreement for fixed equipment, outdoor installations, renovations, repairs, or retrofits
• A letter from the Lessor documenting the commitment to renew the lease for a minimum of 5 years, if an existing lease does not have at least 5 years remaining at the time of the grant application deadline date

Who is eligible?

• A charitable organization or public foundation registered as a charity by the Canada Revenue Agency
• An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
• A First Nation
• A municipality with a population 20,000 or less, or their cultural and recreational agencies, including public libraries and museums

Who is not eligible

• Municipalities with populations over 20,000 and their affiliated agencies
• Universities, colleges, schools and hospitals, and their affiliated agencies
• Organizations with less than one year (twelve months) of incorporation, operating and financial history

Eligible expenses

• Direct Personnel Costs: salaries, mandatory employment-related costs, and employee benefits for staff positions funded specifically to carry out the project
• Direct Non-Personnel Costs: purchased services, workshops and meetings, supplies and materials, and travel
• Overhead and Administration Costs directly associated with the project, up to 15% of the Budget before applicable Capital costs
• Construction and Renovation Costs, including materials and/or contractor costs
• Developmental Costs, including engineering plans, legal fees, or survey costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Activities and items listed as ineligible for funding under OTF’s Ineligible costs section

Eligible geographic areas

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

• Community benefit and relevance: 30%
• Project plan and feasibility: 30%
• Project budget: 30%
• Program participation for populations experiencing barriers: 10%

• Use the grant application questions to understand all requirements
• Identify your project objective
• Prepare your Project Plan
• Prepare your Project Budget
• Obtain quotes and estimates for goods and services valued above $5,000
• Gather required documentation for financial statements, governance, and other project information

• Applicants who do not meet the criteria outlined above will not advance to the second stage of the assessment process, and their grant applications will not be fully reviewed
• All applicants are notified of the final decision
• All decisions are final and there is no appeal process
• Successful applicants may be required to update their Organization Information before OTF Grant Contracts are issued or at any time while the grant is active
• Financial statements not prepared in accordance with Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations (ASNPO, Part III of the CPA Canada Handbook) may prevent OTF from completing the required calculations to determine eligibility, and the grant application may not proceed to the assessment stage

• 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.