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Source verified August 10, 2026
The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants
Funding for established programs to grow
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Latest source updateLast Update: October 1, 2026Latest change: OTF’s Eligibility Policy now sets new applicant rules, expands eligible applicant categories, and revises ineligible activities and costs.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 1, 2026
Latest change: OTF’s Eligibility Policy now sets new applicant rules, expands eligible applicant categories, and revises ineligible activities and costs.
Eligibility policy updated
OTF’s Eligibility Policy was revised to change applicant eligibility rules and project restrictions. The operating or incorporation history for eligible charities and nonprofits increased from 12 months to two years, and the policy now adds or clarifies categories such as small municipalities, county library boards, local services boards, First Nations, and religious entities. The policy also strengthens applicant capacity expectations, including governance, financial stability, good standing, and project-budget experience, while revising the list of ineligible activities and costs. New or clarified exclusions include personal one-on-one professional services, direct personal or individual material benefits, and firearms or ammunition, alongside other restrictions on religious, political, rebate-eligible, and overhead costs.
Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 600,000
Deadline
November 4, 2026
Opened October 7, 2026
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.
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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 : 600,000 $
- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
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
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 3
Activities funded
- Expand an existing program or service
- Improve an existing program or service
- Adapt an existing program or service
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
Official resources
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
Selection criteria
- Overall strength and clarity
How to apply
- Gather your organization information and assess your eligibility
- Gather your project information and documentation
- Complete and submit your application
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
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.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will open on October 7, 2026.
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?
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) 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.