FAQs
Is my organization eligible to apply for a grant?
Answer
Begin by completing the online Self-Assessment Tool. All the information you need can be found on the Apply for a grant page. Please note out of fairness to all applicants, our Support Centre does not provide one-on-one counselling.
Why do grantees need to report on specific grant results and metrics?
Answer
Every grant OTF makes contributes to the achievement of its Investment Strategy. OTF has identified specific grant results and metrics that it believes will drive towards achieving its Priority Outcomes. To be able to measure, quantify and aggregate the total impact of all OTF investments, each grantee makes a commitment to achieve specific grant results. For the Seed stream, funded projects must broadly align with a grant result but metrics are not required.
Learn about the Priority Outcomes, Grant Results and Metrics associated with all the OTF Action Areas.
What do I do if I forgot my password?
Answer
If you enter an incorrect password three times, you will get locked out on the third attempt. Please use the “forgot password” option to reset it.
Where can I find application questions on the OTF website?
Answer
Please visit our "Apply for a Grant" page for the application templates.
Does OTF fund municipal libraries?
Answer
Municipal libraries in a small municipality (defined as having a population of 20,000 or less) are eligible to apply for OTF grants under the Inspired or Active People Action Areas only. The municipality must apply on behalf of the library.
County Library Boards and Local Services Boards should register as a municipality serving populations under 20,000.
Municipal libraries where the population exceeds 20,000 people are not eligible to apply for OTF grants.
Who is not eligible to apply for an OTF grant?
Answer
OTF will not support individuals; for-profit organizations; organizations whose purpose is related to political activity (as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency); agencies of provincial or federal governments*; municipalities with populations over 20,000 and their agencies*, universities, colleges, hospitals, schools, and their agencies*; private foundations* or organizations that discriminate, or seek to limit the legal rights and activities of people, as per OTF’s Anti-Discrimination Policy. Try the Self-Assessment Tool to see if your organization is eligible.
Unincorporated branches/chapters of a parent organization may apply, with the parent organization or other organization eligible for OTF funding, acting as the lead for the collaborative. Please see OTF’s Eligibility Policy for more details.
*Unless they are part of a collaborative application where the lead is an eligible organization.
What if our organization is not eligible?
Answer
If, following the self-assessment, you find your organization is not eligible, you may consider partnering with another organization that is eligible. Read the OTF policy on Collaborative Applicants. You may also wish to check out our Other Funders page.
What does OTF mean by evidence-based?
Answer
OTF considers evidence as strong indication that something works. The evidence you provide OTF can come from your organization or from an external source. Examples of evidence must:
- Provide reasoning that speaks to the potential positive change being proposed in a project
- Include documented research and/or evaluations (the applicant’s own or those of others) where measured results demonstrate that the approach being proposed will produce the Grant Result selected in the Grow grant application.
I get an ‘error’ message when I try to submit our application that says ‘the amount requested does not match the total amount on the budget.’ What does that mean?
Answer
The dollar amounts you enter must be consistent with each other. Under the General Information Tab, the amount entered for the question 'How much money are you requesting from OTF?' must match the amount entered for the "Total Project Cost" under the Project Budget section of the Application Form.
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