Closed
Source verified August 10, 2026
The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Grants
Funding for established programs to grow
Offered by
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Latest source updateLast Update: July 9, 2026Latest change: The Grow Grant page appears to have been replaced with a general support page, and the previously visible grant details are no longer available.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 9, 2026
Latest change: The Grow Grant page appears to have been replaced with a general support page, and the previously visible grant details are no longer available.
Grow Grant details updated
The Grow Grant page now appears to have been reduced to a general support destination, and the grant information that was previously visible is no longer available there. The earlier content showed a November 4, 2026 deadline, a 2 or 3 year term, and funding of $50,000 to $200,000 per year, with total Grow grants ranging from $100,000 to $600,000 over 2 or 3 years. Eligibility, project scope, application steps, and funding conditions that were previously shown for eligible organizations, community-based programs in Ontario, and the Grow Grant application process are no longer visible on the changed page.
Funding available
$ 100,000 - $ 600,000
Deadline
November 4, 2026
Opened October 7, 2026
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
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.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
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
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?
- Organizations, including Métis and Inuit organizations, that have been registered or incorporated and actively operating for at least 12 months
- All First Nations
- Municipalities, libraries and local services boards serving populations of 20,000 or less
- Collaboratives of two or more organizations where the lead organization meets OTF’s eligibility criteria
- Organizations which are religious entities or faith-based groups and are registered charities or not-for-profit corporations
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
- the duplication or replacement of existing government funding, government-mandated services, positions, or activities
- core operational funding
- general contributions to fundraising drives or capital campaigns; costs incurred before the approval of the OTF grant
- Contingency costs: Funds that are reserved or set aside for an emergency
- Taxes, such as GST and HST, for which the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate, and all other costs eligible for rebates
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.