Capital Grants Policy
Type: Granting
Target audience: Applicants, Grantees
1.0 Rationale
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an important funder of capital infrastructure in communities across Ontario.
2.0 Purpose
OTF funding helps to support the capital infrastructure needs required for eligible not-for-profit organizations to thrive.
3.0 Policy
3.1 Eligibility
OTF awards capital grants to renovate, repair, expand, or retrofit buildings or facilities, construct outdoor installations and procure fixed or non-fixed equipment.
Up to 20% of the total grant request can be for developmental costs associated with construction, such as the development of engineering plans, legal fees or survey costs.
General capital fundraising drives and/or capital campaigns are not eligible for OTF funding. OTF supports defined capital projects with clear and detailed expenses as provided within the application’s financial workbook.
OTF does not fund the purchase of buildings or land.
3.2 Conditions Required
For renovations, repairs, expansions, or retrofits of buildings or facilities, the addition of outdoor installations, and installation of fixed equipment, grantees are required to demonstrate the community will benefit from the improvements created by OTF funding for at least 5 years. Proof of ownership or a five-year lease agreement is required. If an existing lease expires prior to the end of the five-year term required by OTF, a letter from the lessor documenting the commitment to renew the existing lease is required.
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to complete the project are not secured in full within one year of the signing of the Grant Contract, the grant will be rescinded.
4.0 Definitions
Capital infrastructure: Assets such as a building, facility, fixed or non-fixed equipment, etc., that has a useful life of more than one year and is subject to depreciation over its useful life.