The Ontario Trillium Foundation funds some 700 unique projects a year. Our investments make a difference in communities across Ontario and we are pleased to work with your organization to ensure you understand what and how we fund. We encourage organizations to review the following eligibility requirements and FAQs, as well as the Eligibility Policy.
OTF considers any one of the following organizations eligible for funding:
- A charitable organization or foundation registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency
- An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation without share capital in a Canadian jurisdiction
- A First Nation or a First Nation library
- A Metis, Inuit or other Indigenous community
- A municipality with a population of 20,000 or less, or their cultural and recreational agencies, including libraries and museums. Eligible municipalities must apply on behalf of their cultural or recreational agencies.
- Eligible municipalities or their cultural or recreational agencies, County Library Boards and Local Services Boards may only apply under the Inspired or Active People Action Areas.
- County Library Boards and Local Services Boards are eligible and are asked to register as a municipality serving populations of 20,000 or less during the Organization Registration process.
- A collaboration of two or more organizations, where the lead organization is an eligible organization
In addition, an applying organization will:
- Provide services in Ontario
- Comply with all applicable legislation
- Show evidence of its ability to generate additional resources from the community and other sectors
The following entities are not eligible for funding:
- Individuals
- For-profit organizations
- Organizations whose purpose is related to political activity as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency
- Private Foundations*
- Organizations that discriminate, or that seek to limit the legal rights and activities of people, as per OTF's Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Agencies of provincial or federal governments*
- Municipalities with populations over 20,000, and their agencies*
- Universities, colleges, schools and hospitals, and their agencies*
- Municipalities or their cultural or recreational agencies, County Library Boards and Local Services Boards that apply for the Prosperous People, Promising Young People, Green People, or Connected People Action Areas.
*unless they are part of a collaboration of two or more organizations, where the lead organization is an eligible organization
OTF’s Investment Strategy focuses on building healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario. Backed by leading research, we have identified six Action Areas to help us achieve greater impact through our investments.
Our Action Areas are:
- Active People: fostering more active lifestyles
- Connected People: building inclusive and engaged communities together
- Green People: encouraging people to support a healthy and sustainable environment
- Inspired People: enriching people’s lives through arts, culture and heritage
- Promising Young People: supporting the positive development of children and youth
- Prosperous People: enhancing people’s economic wellbeing
Along with our Action Areas, we have four Investment Streams which are designed to meet the size and need of your project. These four streams make our investments more focused so they can generate the greatest impact.
The following initiatives are not eligible for funding:
- Financing of deficits
- Purchase of alcohol or cannabis
- Political and/or advocacy activities, such as furthering the aims of a political party; promoting a political doctrine; or persuading the public to adopt a particular political view
- Religious activities, including capital renovations or repairs for facilities used for the specific purpose of religious observance
- Contributions to annual fund drives or capital campaigns
- Dollar-for-dollar replacement of government funding
- Programs or services outside Ontario
- Activities completed or costs incurred before the approval of the request to OTF
- Flow-through funding (i.e., funds that will be reallocated to a third party organization)
- Discriminatory Activities, as defined by the OTF Anti-Discrimination Policy and the Ontario Human Rights Code
We encourage all potential grant applicants to try the Self-Assessment Tool. It’s an online tool to find out if your organization is eligible and whether your project fits with one of our Investment Streams.
Please note that this tool is for the Seed, Grow and Capital Investment Streams. It does not apply to the Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) or the Local Poverty Reduction Fund (LPRF).