Funding Opportunities eNewsletter
May 2, 2023
Funding Opportunities Update
for Not-for-Profits and the Charitable Sector
The Funding Opportunities Update is created by the Region of Durham, Social Services Department.

We know that strong, well-funded not-for-profit and charitable sectors can better meet the needs of Durham’s diverse communities. We are committed to sharing information about grants and funding opportunities with our community partners.

Please share this newsletter with your own networks and contacts.

Want to sign-up for the newsletter OR want to be removed from our mailing list? Please let us know: email us at funding@durham.ca.

Visit our Funding Resources page for funding opportunities that open between Updates and for links to resources that may help in the application process.
 
Important Tip! Register your organization online at the Transfer Payment Ontario website. This site provides information about available grants, how to apply for grants and how to check the status of your application.
Granting Opportunities by Deadline
Business Advisory Centre Durham: Starter Company Plus

Application Deadline: Next cohort begins in May 2023. Apply now to be added to the wait list

Starter Company Plus Program is for existing business owners operating between 1 to 3 years (market ready/ready to sell), to expand (hiring employees, contractors or getting a location) or buying a business in Durham Region.

The Program provides:

  • The program has 3 mandatory training days over 2 weeks (9:00am – 3:00pm) covering Business Concept, Organization, Operations and Customer Relations
  • The chance to receive up to $5,000 in seed funding to kick off a new business or expand your current business
  • The experience of running a successful business that may help you obtain more traditional financing such as a bank loan if you so require in the future

This program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.


Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation: Donations Committee

Upcoming Meetings:

  • May 9, 2023 (deadline is May 2, 2023)
  • June 27, 2023 (deadline is June 20, 2023)
  • July 26, 2023 (deadline is July 19, 2023)

Following in the footsteps of the Baagwating Community Association (BCA) which dissolved in 2016, the MSIFN Donation Committee has continued to help organizations, communities, and individuals with charitable giving. The MSIFN Maada'ookii Committee aims to resume the generous work of their predecessors.

In an attempt to streamline all requests from individuals, authorized representatives, organizations, and sponsorship of organized sports, we have created four applications forms. Each form consists of a checklist and guidelines of what the MSIFN Maada'ookii Committee would like to review when considering a request for assistance.

Please note that if your request is approved by the MSIFN Maada'ookii Committee, those funds must be used within three (3) months of the approval date for the purpose intended, or returned to the Committee for redistribution.
Please choose the appropriate form, based on the following categories, for your request:

  • Financial Hardship: Form for individuals with a need derived from harsh and unforeseen circumstances.
  • Medical: Form for authorized representatives, i.e. Occupational Therapists, Social/Case Workers, Support Personnel, etc.,
  • Organizations: Form for representatives of charitable organizations/events, not-for-profits, businesses, etc.,
  • Sponsorships: Forms for sports teams or individual participants in organized sports.

The MSIFN Maada'ookii Committee plans to meet once a month to review requests. Please send in requests at least three working days prior to the next scheduled meeting for inclusion.


Farm Credit Canada: FCC Agrispirit Fund

Deadline: May 15, 2023

Do you have a capital project that will enrich lives in your rural community? The FCC AgriSpirit Fund supports projects by charities, non-profit groups, First Nations bands and Metis settlements in communities of less than 150,000 people.

Types of projects we consider:

  • Refrigeration and equipment to support food waste reduction and recovery
  • Construction of or upgrades to community buildings
  • Renovations or upgrades that reduce a building’s energy footprint
  • Initiatives that support agriculture and food


Trillium Mutual Insurance Company: Roots Community Fund

Deadline: May 25, 2023

At Trillium Mutual we are proud of our strong legacy of community support over many years. We are committed to the sustainability of rural Ontario and we realize we have an opportunity to support programs that will foster the success of this responsibility. Trillium ROOTS Community Fund focus areas include:

Agriculture: Agriculture applications must benefit sustainability and development of the agriculture industry in Ontario.

Mental Wellness: Mental Wellness is single-time projects/programs that do not receive government funding.

Healthcare: Healthcare applications must be capital in nature.

Emergency Response: Applications must be capital in nature.

Environmental/Sustainability: Applications must be capital in nature.

Requests for funding are reviewed quarterly. We appreciate as much lead time as possible. The greater the advance notice we are given, the better decisions we can make regarding your application.


Government of Canada: Local Food Infrastructure Fund

Coming Soon: The next application intake period for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund is expected to open in May 2023

The Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF) is a five-year, $60 million initiative ending March 31, 2024. It was created as part of the Government of Canada's Food Policy for a healthier and more sustainable food system in Canada. The LFIF is aimed at community-based, not-for-profit organizations with a mission to reduce food insecurity by establishing and strengthening their local food system.

The next application intake period for the Local Food Infrastructure Fund is expected to open in May 2023.


Ontario Trillium Foundation: Community Investment - Capital Grant

Coming Soon: Application available May 17, 2023 - Deadline: June 14, 2023

Apply for a Capital grant to help your non-profit organization address a community need by improving the infrastructure Ontarians need to thrive. Whether it’s purchasing equipment, building a new space, or completing renovations, retrofits or repairs, Capital grants support projects that will have a positive impact in your community.

We support projects that:

  • Improve access to community spaces, facilities, programs, activities and services, and facilitate community members’ full participation in the life of the community
  • Improve and build community spaces
  • Make programs and services better and more efficient
  • Make better use of technology

Organizations can request funding for multiple capital improvements within one facility, e.g., touchless entry and widening of doorways at local community centre, or they can request funding for the same capital improvements at multiple facilities, e.g., HVAC retrofits at 3 municipal arenas.


Ontario Trillium Foundation: Youth Opportunities Fund - Systems Innovation Grant

Deadline: June 20, 2023

YOF provides grants and capacity-building to grassroots groups and collaboratives to improve the wellbeing of youth and families with a focus on Indigenous and Black communities.

With a System Innovations grant, collaboratives can help create meaningful, innovative change by delivering projects that benefit youth, while prioritizing Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) and Black youth.

This grant supports collaboratives as they:

  • Examine and understand how youth access and experience the services within a system
  • Engage a group of partners within the system to work together toward a shared strategic vision
  • Explore potential models and best practices
  • Invest in capacity building to shift outdated behaviours  
  • Design and/or implement strategies for system change

We support two types of system change projects: 
 
  • Groundwork: Laying the groundwork needed to strengthen a system of services or opportunities for young people benefitting from the work
  • Implementation: Implementing strategies to strengthen a system of services or opportunities for young people benefitting from the work  

Telus Friendly Future Foundation: Innovation Grants

Deadline for Letters of Intent: June 23, 2023

Funding is available to registered charities that offer programming that promotes the well-being of youth and provides them with opportunities to succeed, both today and in the future. In particular, we are interested in supporting initiatives that advance some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); specifically, good health and well-being, quality education and climate action. Programs must focus on reaching youth experiencing obstacles to reaching their full potential and incorporate the innovative use of technology.

As one of our goals is to support as many registered charities as possible, charities may only apply once per calendar year and must choose between the Innovation Grants channel or the Community Board Grants channel. Applications may not be submitted to both grant channels in the same calendar year.

For many of the most pressing social and environmental problems we now face, the solutions require a new way of thinking. Our intention is to offer funding for those “moonshot” ideas that will enable charitable organizations to create breakthrough change in their communities.

In 2023, our Innovation Grants will focus on two areas of interest:

Youth mental health

The percentage of children and youth experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety has doubled during the pandemic. Eating disorders and substance use have been on the rise. Young people across the country have been impacted by school closures and the lack of in-person connection with friends, mentors and loved ones. Charities offering innovative solutions to promote youth mental health and build community will help to meet the needs facing young people today and build their capacity to thrive in the future.

Environmental education or climate action programs for youth

Today’s youth have come of age during a time of rapid climate change, and they have the most at stake in how society responds to it. Climate change brings economic and environmental challenges as well as opportunities, and youth who understand the issues will be better prepared to act and respond with innovative solutions. Charities offering creative approaches to climate education and action will help youth to build skills and knowledge and to be inspired to address the urgency of the climate crisis. 

Government of Canada: Grant for Hosting Free Tax Clinics

Deadline: June 30, 2023

Volunteers from community organizations across Canada help eligible people do their taxes for free through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), or the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec. The ITAVP is jointly administered by the CRA and Revenu Québec.

The CVITP Grant is a three-year pilot program that began in February 2021. The grant helps community organizations offset the cost of hosting free tax clinics and provides funding to organizations based on the number of federal income tax returns filed.


Canadian Tire Jumpstart: Community Development Grants

Coming Soon: Applications open June 12, 2023 - Deadline: July 7, 2023

The Community Development Grant has two funding streams. Qualified organizations may apply for either stream or both within each period, however, the requests must be clearly justified, and funding will be dependent on overall demand.

Operational Support: Assists organizations to build capacity or to cover increased expenses to provide inclusive, safe sport participant experiences, such as but not limited to:

  • Build human resource capacity (program staff, coaches, volunteers), including hiring and training;
  • Hire subject matter expert for EDI training;
  • Increased rental costs or facility updates;
  • Organization development, including fundraising/revenue generation strategies and operational efficiencies; and
  • Rebuilding, expanding or starting a new organization.

Programming Support: Assists organizations with the costs of delivering sport and recreational programming, including but not limited to:

  • Program supervisors, instructors, coaches;
  • Facility costs;
  • Equipment costs; and
  • Transportation costs.

Catherine Donnelly Foundation

Coming Soon: Next letter of inquiry deadline: July 7, 2023

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation operates with a two-stage application review process:

  • Letter of Inquiry (pre-proposal inquiry)
  • Invited Applicant (full application process)

A Review Committee will evaluate Letters of Inquiry for their adherence with CDF objectives and criteria. If you are successful with the Letter of Inquiry submission you will be invited to submit a full application through our on-line application portal.

The Catherine Donnelly Foundation Board currently reviews grant application requests twice yearly, in February and August, to determine successful applications based on the recommendations of its committees
.
Please note that the grant application process takes approximately eight weeks from the invited application deadline until board review and approval for all areas of focus:

Housing

We prioritize the prevention and elimination of homelessness as well as the provision of safe and affordable housing. We advocate a shift from an emergency-response model to a rights-based approach that removes systemic barriers preventing marginalized and low-income populations from accessing housing.

Adult Education

We support projects that use adult education processes to assist marginalized people to collectively name the racism, poverty, violence or other forms of exclusion and oppression they experience.

Environment

We seek to mobilize public opinion to build up “just” industries and livelihoods that generate green jobs as part of a low-carbon economy. These efforts should support well-being economies that eradicate poverty, distribute wealth equitably, and uphold human rights.

Impact Investing

We engage with our capital and fully understanding its power is a matter of ethical integrity; there is an inherent contradiction in granting for a healthier environment and a more equitable and just society with funds from the proceeds of ‘dirty’ and unethical investments.

All applicants are encouraged to review our Application Guidelines and to contact the Foundation office prior to submitting a Letter of Inquiry.

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

Coming Soon: Summer submission deadline: July 15, 2023

Founded by TD Bank Group in 1990, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is a national charity that funds environmental projects across Canada. The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs.

Eligible projects include schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, park programming and citizen science initiatives. For a full list, please see the Common Questions.

Submission Deadlines: January 15 and July 15

Ontario Trillium Foundation: Youth Opportunities Fund - Youth Innovations and Family Innovations Grants

Coming Soon: Application available May 31, 2023 - Deadline: August 23, 2023

YOF provides grants and capacity-building to grassroots groups and collaboratives to improve the wellbeing of youth and families with a focus on Indigenous and Black communities.

Youth Innovations Test Grant: Are you a youth-led grassroots group or a youth-adult partnership? Apply for a Youth Innovations Test grant for a project designed to support other youth in your community in one of these three areas:

  • Research a new concept or issue
  • Strategize around an issue(s) affecting people you want to support
  • Test a new project idea

Youth Innovations Scale Grant: Are you a youth-led grassroots group or a youth-adult partnership with over two years of experience delivering a community project? Apply for a Youth Innovations Scale grant to enhance your existing project for a deeper impact on youth or to expand your project to reach more youth. A project that you want to enhance or expand should:
 
  • Consist of a program model that responds to the needs of the youth identified as your primary beneficiaries
  • Have core program activities that have been successfully delivered for at least two years
  • Demonstrate that the positive impact experienced by youth are attributed to your program model.
  • Be sustainable through ongoing engagement and collaboration with youth and community, as a result of your proven success.
  • Align with and advance one of the Youth Innovations Priority Outcomes

Family Innovations Test Grant: Are you a grassroots group led by parents, guardians, and caregivers? Apply for a Family Innovations Test grant for a project designed to support other parents, guardians, and caregivers in your community in one of three areas:

  • Research a new concept or issue
  • Strategize around issue(s) affecting people you want to support
  • Test a new project idea

Family Innovations Scale Grant: Are you a grassroots group led by parents, guardians, and caregivers with over two years of experience delivering a community project? Apply for a Family Innovations Scale grant to enhance your existing project for a deeper impact on parents, guardians, and caregivers or to expand your project to reach more parents, guardians, and caregivers. A project that you want to enhance or expand should: 
 
  • Consist of a program model that responds to the needs of the parents, guardians and caregivers identified as your primary beneficiaries 
  • Have core program activities that have been successfully delivered for at least two years
  • Demonstrate that the positive impact experienced by parents, guardians and caregivers are attributed to your program model
  • Be sustainable through ongoing engagement and collaboration with parents, guardians and caregivers and community, as a result of your proven success 
  • Align with and advance one of the Family Innovations Priority Outcomes

Canada Post Awards for Indigenous Students

Deadline: August 31, 2023

Canada Post gives $2,000 grants to Indigenous Peoples who have renewed their educational learning. You’re eligible to apply if you:

  • Are a Canadian and a member of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community
  • Have been out of school for 1 year or more and are returning
  • Have already returned to school and completed 1 full year of studies
  • Have never received this award in the past (you can apply as many times as you want, but you can only receive the award once)

ScotiaRISE

Deadline: Applications are reviewed throughout the year

ScotiaRISE is our 10-year, $500 million initiative to promote economic resilience among disadvantaged groups. By working together to remove barriers to advancement and increase access to opportunities, we can create a more inclusive and resilient world for everyone. And for every future.
Scotiabank will consider funding for:

  • Organizations that are either registered charities or non-profit organizations in their jurisdictions
  • Organizations that operate in countries where Scotiabank does business
  • Organizations with a sustained record of achievement
  • Programs that have measurable impact

Your application must include:

  • A brief description of the organization, including goals and achievements
  • A full description of the project for which you are requesting funding, including budget, expected outcome, benefits to end users, defined metrics and recognition plan
  • Complete list of Board of Directors, Executive Management and Campaign Cabinet if applicable
  • Current financial statements


CIBC

Deadline: CIBC Foundation requests are accepted year-round, but are reviewed annually between March and October.

Built on our longstanding history of supporting our communities, the CIBC Foundation serves our commitment to creating a world without limits to ambition. Focus areas and funding guidelines:

Supporting cancer initiatives

Our ambition: To create a future where no one has to fear a cancer diagnosis.

We invest in:
  • Cancer research, treatment, screening and diagnosis
  • Wellness, survivorship and patient support programs

Championing inclusive communities

Our ambition: To create social and economic opportunities for all.

We invest in:
  • Projects increasing access to education and employment outcomes for underserved communities, with a focus on reskilling, upskilling, and addressing the digital divide
  • Healthy active living, education & enrichment, and help for high needs kids supporting children 13 and under

Investing in financial education

Our ambition: To ensure everyone has the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of financial wellbeing

We invest in:
  • Financial education resources and learning opportunities


CMHC/SCHL: National Housing Co-Investment Fund - Black-Led Organizations

Application Deadline: No posted deadline

This option of the National Housing Co-Investment Contribution Fund increases access to housing funding for Black-led organizations. The contribution funding supports Black-led* organizations to build housing benefiting Black households. The Fund prioritizes partnerships between Black-led organizations and other partners like governments, non-profits and other such organizations.

Contribution Funding through the Co-Investment Fund supports organizations that have already partnered and secured funding but require more capital. It can be used to:

  • top-up funding – when you have most of your project funding secured and require top-up funding to close a funding gap
  • leverage other funding sources – get funding confirmation within 30 days of being prioritized that can then be used to secure funding from other sources

Contribution Funding provides:

  • an unsecured contribution that facilitates seamless integration into project financing structures. This can make it easier for you to attract other sources of funding.
  • more certainty on funding amounts* Please refer to the Viability Assessment Spreadsheet for more details.

* The Co-Investment’s Contribution funding amounts are based on lesser of per unit calculation, project needs or percentage of costs (Non-profits/coops = 40%.)


Government of Canada: Community Economic Development and Diversification

Deadline: No deadline posted

FedDev Ontario is looking for:

  • Businesses or not-for-profit organizations in small communities who are working to develop, diversify and transform their local economies.
  • Rural partners to help address the unique economic conditions in small towns and rural communities.

Applications can be submitted for:

  • Non-repayable contributions from $250,000 up to $5 million per project for not-for-profit organizations.
  • No interest, repayable contributions from $250,000 up to $5 million per project for incorporated businesses, including Indigenous businesses.

Funding is available to:

  • Enhance business attraction, investment, retention and employment opportunities in southern Ontario communities.
  • Develop and expand collaborative efforts that strengthen regional competitiveness.
  • Support regional businesses, hubs and communities with the goal of economic diversification, integration and transformation.

Examples of projects include:

  • Creating financing opportunities to reduce risk and enable businesses to make investments in innovative technologies.
  • Integrating local businesses into national or global supply chains.


Government of Ontario: Summer Jobs for Students Program

Application Deadline: Various dates

Need a job this summer?

The Ontario government — and its partners — offers many programs to help students find summer jobs. You need to apply for most programs. In some cases, the government can connect you to people who can help you with your job search.

The deadlines and what you need to apply depend on the program. Click on the link for each program for more detailed information.

Not a student?

Learn about government job funds, programs and online tools available to help people under 30 build skills, find a job or start businesses all year round.


Government of Ontario: Reconnect Ontario - Marquee Event Fund

Application Deadline: Ongoing

The Reconnect Ontario Marquee Event Fund supports costs related to hosting:

  • major one-time events in Ontario
  • events that do not recur annually or biannually in Ontario
  • national or international events in Ontario

Eligible organizations must:

  • be legal entities
  • have been in existence for one year or longer, as of the date of submission of the application
  • have a bank account at a Canadian financial institution that conducts business in Ontario
  • not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario (for example, Ontario Trillium Foundation)
  • demonstrate proven organizational ability, technical capacity and fiscal prudence to successfully host a marquee event. This includes national and/or international event management experience and tourism business expertise

Events supported by the Reconnect Ontario Marquee Event Fund must have cash operating expenses totaling $1 million or more.

We will accept applications on an ongoing basis, however you must submit your application at least four months before your event start date.

Government of Ontario: Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF)

Application Deadline: Ongoing

OCAF has three specific aims:

  • to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario cultural organizations to promote, market and present one-off or first-time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events;
  • increase the earned revenue capacity of the applicant organization; and
  • support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation.

OCAF has a two-stage application process which ensures that organizations do not dedicate significant time, effort and resources to an ineligible project. Please refer to “Important Dates” for a current list of stage 2 application deadlines.

  • First time applicants, and those requiring further information or assistance with the application, should contact OCAF staff prior to submitting a Stage 1 application.
  • Organizations must start the application process approximately eight months prior to an event.
  • OCAF has a two-stage application process which ensures that organizations do not dedicate significant time, effort and resources to an ineligible project.
  • Stage 2 applications should be assessed by the OCAF Board approximately six months prior to an event.
  • We are open to relaxing these timelines in light of the challenges presented by the Covid-19 health crisis. 
  • Please contact Thomas Vaughan at tvaughan@ocaf.ca to discuss the eligibility of your event.

Town of Whitby - Mayor's Community Development Fund

Application Deadline: Ongoing

The Mayor's Community Development Fund (MCDF) is a community development fund offered by the Town of Whitby to support local community groups, events, and initiatives that will benefit the community, including applications for COVID-19 support. The MCDF offers funding to local initiatives in our community through lead grants up to $25,000 and community grants up to $5,000.

The funding is raised through two events, The Mayor's Gala and the Mayor's Golf Tournament. Up to 50% of the proceeds raised by the Mayor's Golf Tournament and Mayor's Fundraiser will be awarded to a lead cause or charity. The balance will be awarded in smaller community grants.

If you apply, you can also request one of the following silent auction item packages:

  • Whitby/Brooklin Retailer Gift Basket ($150 value)
  • Whitby Recreation Gift Certificate ($250 value)

Funding Portals and Lists
Canada Council for the Arts

All program area grants are accessible through their portal and registration must be complete at least 30 days before you wish to apply.

Canada Council grants are now organized into six programs:

1.   Explore and Create;
2.   Engage and Sustain;
3.   Creating, Knowing and Sharing: The Arts and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples
4.   Supporting Artistic Practice;
5.   Arts Across Canada;
6.   Arts Abroad.

Government of Canada: Culture, History and Sport Funding

The Government of Canada offers a wide array of granting opportunities around culture, history and sport. See an alphabetical listing of grants available here.

Government of Canada: Employment and Social Development Canada

See a list of funding programs for jobs, training and social development projects.

Government of Canada: Public Health Agency of Canada

Grant and Contribution Funding Opportunities for programs under the Public Health Agency of Canada. See an alphabetical listing of grants available here.

Innovation Canada

Innovation Canada offers an online search tool that allows companies to search for relevant funding. 

Invest Durham

Find links to business loans and financing. 

Ontario Arts Council

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups/collectives and organizations. Grants support a range of arts activities and disciplines.

The OAC offers two types of grant programs:

Project grants – one-time grants for specific projects, available to individual artists, ad hoc groups/collectives and organizations

Operating grants – ongoing support for Ontario-based, not-for-profit arts organizations and for-profit book and magazine publishers

Parks and Recreation Ontario

A list of various funding opportunities, both governmental and non-governmental

The Funding Portal

The Funding Portal is a subscription-based national bilingual e-commerce platform and gateway to improve access to government funding. The Portal aggregates thousands of sources of funding within a searchable database.

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Telephone: 905-668-7711, Toll free: 1-800-372-1102
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