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The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants

Funding for established programs to grow

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

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 600,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
A charitable organization or foundation registered with the Canada Revenue Agency for at least two years
See full eligibility

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.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$600,000
Minimum funding
$100,000
Financing goals
  • Develop a new program or service
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Enhance an existing program
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Renovate or expand facilities
  • Ensure financial sustainability
  • Renovate or adapt facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Culture and Arts, Sports, Social Services, Environment
Revenue structures
Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
Provincial

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

Grow Grant timeline and application access updated

OTF updated the Grow Grant application guidance to extend the permitted project start-date window to March 10–September 10, 2027, and added an Apply now link to the granting portal.

See more

The Grow Grant application questions now show a permitted project start-date window of March 10 to September 10, 2027, replacing the previous 2026 window. This changes the application guidance for when projects may begin. The Grow Grant page also adds an Apply now link to the OTF granting portal and repeats that applications are being accepted until November 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Official source: otf.ca
October 12, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • A charitable organization or foundation registered with the Canada Revenue Agency for at least two years
  • An organization incorporated for at least two years as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in Ontario or Federally
  • A Chartered Community Council, operating under the Métis Nation of Ontario Secretariat, and a First Nation
  • A municipality with a population of 20,000 or less, County Library Boards and Local Services Boards serving populations of 20,000 or less
  • A collaboration of two or more organizations where the lead organization meets OTF eligibility requirements; and religious entities or faith-based groups that are registered charities or not-for-profit corporations and deliver direct programs or services to the community at large that are non-religious in nature and do not require participation in any aspect of faith

Who is not eligible

  • Individuals
  • For-profit organizations
  • Private or corporate foundations and their affiliated agencies
  • 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; and organizations that are set up to support other organizations
  • Agencies of the municipal, provincial or federal government; universities, colleges, schools and hospitals and their affiliated agencies, organizations whose principal purpose is primary healthcare or school-based curriculum, and organizations with a primary purpose to own or operate residences that provide long-term housing and/or care for individuals

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

  • The duplication or replacement of existing government funding, government-mandated services, positions, or activities
  • Core operational funding, 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
  • Political activities supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office, and political activities for the purpose of bringing about a change in law or government policy
  • Activities completed, or costs incurred, before the start date specified in an OTF grant contract; contingency costs and unspecified miscellaneous expenses; and taxes such as GST and HST for which the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate, and all other costs eligible for rebates
  • The purchase or sale of alcohol or cannabis, financing related licenses or permits, capital renovations or repairs to facilities or spaces used for the purpose of selling alcohol or cannabis, and the purchase of firearms or ammunition or financing of related licenses or permits

Eligible geographic areas

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

Activities funded

  • Expand an existing program or service
  • Improve an existing program or service
  • Adapt an existing program or service

How to apply

  • Determine if you are eligible for OTF funding
  • Gather your organization information
  • Gather your project information
  • Apply online

Documents Needed

  • 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

Selection criteria

  • Overall strength and clarity

Processing and Agreement

  • 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 approximately 4-5 months from the deadline date.
  • All OTF 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.

Additional information

  • 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.

Contacts

otf@otf.ca

Official sources

Grant Investment Framework

Program guide

Eligibility PolicyGrow GrantGrow Grant Application Questions

Application form

Grow Grant Application Resources

Supporting document

Collaborative AgreementExamples of internally prepared financial statementsFinancial Position CalculatorFinancial Statement RequirementsFind your Catchment Area
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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 $600,000 of admissible expenses.

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: 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, deliver and complete the proposed project, and generate additional resources from the community and other sources

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

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

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

You can contact Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) by email at otf@otf.ca.

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 Grant and Funding