An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Opens Oct 7, 2026

OTF Grow Grant

by Ontario Trillium Foundation

Also known as: Grow Grants

OTF Grow Grants fund $100,000-$600,000 over 2-3 years ($50,000-$200,000 per year) to scale proven community programs in sports/recreation, arts/culture, environment, or human and social services. Nonprofits operating 12+ months, First Nations, and municipalities under 20,000 population are eligible across Northern Ontario. The 2026 application window is October 7 to November 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET, with decisions about 4-5 months later.

Amount
$50,000 – $200,000 $50,000 to $200,000 per year Total $100,000-$600,000 over a 2- or 3-year term. Overhead/admin capped at 15% of budget; capital components capped at 20% of budget. This award range, $50,000 to $200,000, against every tracked amount from $1,000 to $500,000,000, on a logarithmic scale.

Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.

otf.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Amount awarded and grant term $50,000 to $200,000 per year, for 2 or 3 years

Instrument
Grant (non-repayable)
Status
Opens Oct 7, 2026
Who qualifies
Nonprofits and charities Indigenous organizations and communities Municipalities and local boards Groups and collectives Operating history: 12 months
  • nonprofit organizations (incorporated/registered and operating 12+ months)
  • registered charities
  • First Nations
  • Metis and Inuit organizations
  • municipalities with population of 20,000 or less (on behalf of cultural or recreation agencies)
  • county library boards and local services boards serving 20,000 or less
  • collaboratives (lead organization must qualify)
  • religious entities delivering non-religious community programs
  • Project must benefit one of OTF's 16 geographic catchment areas at a community level - province-wide or national impact projects are declined
  • Municipalities over 20,000 population are not eligible
  • Small municipalities/library boards/LSBs limited to two funding priorities: physically active lifestyles or arts/culture/heritage
  • Non-profits need 3+ active board members with 50% at arm's length
  • Proof of ownership or 5-year lease required if improving facilities

otf.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Where
Algoma District · Cochrane District · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Kenora District · Manitoulin District · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District · Rainy River District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Thunder Bay District · Timiskaming District · District Municipality of Muskoka11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program.Algoma District: eligibleCochrane District: eligibleGreater Sudbury (single-tier census division): eligibleKenora District: eligibleManitoulin District: eligibleNipissing District: eligibleParry Sound District: eligibleRainy River District: eligibleSudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury): eligibleThunder Bay District: eligibleTimiskaming District: eligible

11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.

Built for
Nonprofits & charities Municipalities & Local Services Boards Indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses

When can you apply?

All applicants notified approximately 4-5 months after the deadline; decisions are final with no appeal process

Window opens Oct 7, 2026 and closes Nov 4, 2026, 34 days from today.
2026: opened Oct 7, 2026, closes Nov 4, 2026 at 17:00
CycleOpensClosesStatusVerified
2026
NEW SLUG (program not yet in dataset; obvious kebab: otf-grow). Cross-confirmed on the Grow grant program page (otf.ca/our-grants/community-investments-grants/grow-grant): prior Nov 5, 2025 deadline passed, next application period Oct 7 - Nov 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET. $100k-$600k over 2-3 years.
 Oct 7, 2026 Nov 4, 2026 17:00 Opens Oct 7, 2026

otf.ca · Unconfirmed as of Aug 24, 2026; confirm with funder · Auto-checked against official source

How do you apply?

  1. Create/sign in to OTF Granting Portal and complete pre-application fit questionnaire
  2. Submit during the application window (2026: October 7 to November 4, 5:00 p.m. ET)
  3. Stage 1: organization eligibility review
  4. Stage 2: project eligibility review
  5. Stage 3: scored assessment - community benefit 30%, project plan 30%, budget 30%, participation of populations facing barriers 10% - by OTF staff and local Grant Review Team volunteers, recommendations to OTF Board
  6. Mandatory orientation meeting, then Grant Contract signed and returned within 60 days

otf.ca · Last verified Oct 1, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Common questions

When is the next OTF Grow Grant deadline?

The application window runs October 7 to November 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET, through the OTF Granting Portal. Decisions come approximately 4-5 months after the deadline, and all decisions are final with no appeal process.

What's the difference between an OTF Seed and Grow grant?

Grow grants ($100,000-$600,000 over 2-3 years) are for established programs with a proven track record that you want to expand, improve, or adapt. Seed grants fund newer ideas at lower amounts. Grow applications must document the track record and include proof of ownership or a 5-year lease if facilities are involved.

Can a municipality apply for a Grow grant?

Only municipalities with a population of 20,000 or less, applying on behalf of their cultural or recreation agencies (libraries, museums), and only under two priorities: fostering physically active lifestyles or enriching lives through arts, culture and heritage. Larger municipalities are not eligible.

Can Grow grant funds cover equipment or renovations?

Yes - up to 20% of the budget can be capital costs (equipment, renovations, repairs, retrofits) directly tied to the project. Quotes are required for goods and services over $5,000, dated within 6 months of the deadline.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

Guides that cover this program

Notes on this record

Page fetched 2026-08-17. Eligible sectors and catchment rules are OTF-wide; Northern Ontario applicants compete within their own catchment areas. 15% overhead cap and 20% capital cap verified from the official page.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

otf.ca