Grow Grant

OTF invests in projects that help build healthy and vibrant communities. OTF’s funding priorities focus on areas that identify the types of change OTF invests in. Select the funding priority that best meets the goal of your project:   

• Foster physically active lifestyles
• Help people build stronger connections and a deeper sense of belonging in their community 
• Enrich lives through arts, culture and heritage
• Support youth to develop stronger social, emotional and leadership skills
• Support participation in the conservation and restoration of the environment
• Enable economically vulnerable people to meet their basic needs and/or strengthen their financial stability

Explore these priorities as part of OTF’s Grant Investment Framework. If projects do not fit with the Funding Priority selected in the grant application, the application will be declined.

As you plan your application, choose the main objective for your project:

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

When selecting your objective, think about what you want to achieve with your project and how it will directly impact your community.

Grow grants range from $100,000 to $600,000. You can request between $50,000 and $200,000 per year, for 2 or 3 years.

Prepare a clear Project Budget and ensure that the identified costs correspond with the deliverables and key tasks of your Project Plan. The costs must also be appropriate, reasonable and valid for the activities outlined in the Project Plan. All funds needed for the project need to be secured, or there must be a reasonable plan to secure the remaining funds.

Eligible Budget Categories

You can apply for funding to cover project costs across the following categories:

• Direct Personnel Costs: OTF will support salaries, mandatory employment-related costs and employee benefits for staff positions funded specifically to carry out the project.
• Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Purchased Service
• Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Workshops/Meetings
• Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Supplies and Materials
• Direct Non-Personnel Costs – Travel
• Overhead and Administration Costs:
  • OTF will support Overhead and Administration Costs directly associated with the project up to  15% of the Budget before applicable Capital costs.
  • These do not include the direct costs to run or deliver the project, including the staff or equipment associated with the project. It does include a portion of regular operational expenses that can be attributed specifically to this project. For more information, refer to the Eligibility Policy.

You can have up to 5 budget items for each Direct Personnel Costs and Direct Non-Personnel Costs.

Eligible capital costs (if applicable) 

Up to 20% of your Budget can include capital-related costs that directly relate to your project objective. This can include the purchase of equipment (fixed and non-fixed) and/or the completion of renovations, repairs or retrofits. Eligible Capital Costs include:

• Construction and Renovation Costs: This includes materials and/or contractor costs. 
• Developmental Costs: If you have Developmental Costs, they cannot exceed 20% of your total Construction and Renovation Costs. Costs can include the development of engineering plans, legal fees, or survey costs. 
• Equipment Costs: This includes fixed and non-fixed equipment.

Review a sample budget entry that includes word counts and cost breakdowns.

Quotes and estimates

For each goods and services valued above $5,000, a minimum of one quote or estimate is required. However, OTF prefers to receive two or more quotes or estimates to help your organization establish accurate budget amounts and demonstrate the best value for money.

Multiple sub-contracts with a supplier on the same project:

• Multiple sub-contracts with a supplier on the same project will be considered as a cumulative total. This means if the total of these goods and/or services exceeds $5,000, a minimum of one itemized quote or estimate (preferably two or more from different suppliers) needs to be uploaded. 
• An itemized quote or estimate breaks down the cost of each good and service into line items.

All documentation needs to be:

• Prepared by a third-party professional
  • For municipalities, documentation can be prepared by a specialized department within the municipality.
• Dated and obtained within 6 months prior to the application deadline
• Completed with information about the vendor or supplier

Ineligible costs

Certain activities and items are not eligible for funding. These include:    

• Taxes, such as GST and HST, for which the recipient is eligible for a tax rebate, and all other costs eligible for rebates.
• Contingency costs: Funds that are reserved or set aside for an emergency 
• Costs incurred before the approval of the OTF grant   
• General capital fundraising drives and/or capital campaigns
  • Where OTF funding represents a component of a larger project, applicants must demonstrate either that the OTF funded components can be completed independently or that other funding sources have been secured, before OTF releases any funds to the grantee. If the funds to complete the project are not secured in full within one year of the signing of the Grant Contract, the grant will be rescinded.

Read the full list of what is not eligible for funding.

Assessment criteria: Eligibility of applicants

All applicants need to: 

• Fit with who we fund.
• Demonstrate a primary purpose, presence, and reputation for delivering programs and services with direct community benefit in Ontario.
• Comply with requirements around certain political activities.
• Have the right type of complete financial statements based on its total revenues and fiscal year-end date. If needed, the application also includes required documentation for accumulated surplus and deficit. 
• Have a minimum of 3 active board members as of the application deadline.
• Provide a clear organizational structure and have proper oversight for effective management of conflict of interest and accountability.
• Demonstrate strong financial capacity and the ability to manage the grant (if applicable, based on past OTF grants).

Note:

• Applicants that do not meet eligibility criteria will not have their applications proceed to a full review.
• OTF reserves the right to ask successful applicants for updated organization information at any time throughout the life of the grant.

Assessment criteria: Eligibility of projects

OTF reviews the eligibility of projects based on the following areas:

• The project complies with eligibility requirements outlined in OTF policies and on the grant page.
• The project fits with the Funding Priority selected.
• The project fits with the purpose of the grant and the selected project objective.
• The necessary documentation meets requirements.
• The applicant has the capacity to deliver the project as outlined.

Assessment criteria: Clarity and strength of projects

Projects are evaluated and scored based on the following criteria:

Community benefit and relevance (30%)

• The application clearly explains the fit with the selected funding priority and the selected project objective. 
• The project responds to a community need or opportunity. 
• The anticipated local benefits are realistic and achievable.
• The project budget is appropriate to achieve the anticipated impact.
• The size and scope of the Project Plan, Project Budget and success measures are realistic, clear, and aligned.

Project plan and feasibility (30%)

• The Project Plan is clear and provides details about how the project will be implemented including the deliverables, key tasks, and timelines for the project.
• The Project Plan is feasible, ready-to-go, can be completed within reasonable timelines and it demonstrates a high likelihood of success.
• If it is a collaborative project, the collaborative is suitable to support the project’s success and the collaborative agreement clearly outlines all necessary details.
• The project has a proven track record of success.
• If the project includes a capital component, there is a clear link to the overall project, programs and services.

Project Budget (30%)

• The Project Budget is clear and the identified costs correspond with the Project Plan, deliverables and key tasks.
• The costs are appropriate, reasonable and valid for the activities outlined in the Project Plan.
• All funds needed for the project are secured or there is a reasonable plan to secure the remaining funds.

Program participation for populations experiencing barriers (10%)

• The project will help populations experiencing barriers (e.g., socio-economic, geographic, cultural, gender, abilities and/or racial) to participate in the program.