The Ontario government is directing more than $17.5 million toward community programs delivered by 257 non-profit organizations, First Nations and small municipalities, marking the latest round of investments through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The funding, announced by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, is intended to expand youth opportunities, strengthen local services and advance arts, culture and recreation programming across the province.
Officials say this year’s allocation, delivered through OTF’s Seed grant stream, reflects the province’s broader effort to bolster the resilience of community organizations while generating economic and social benefits for families. The grants offer up to $100,000 per project for new or enhanced initiatives designed to meet emerging local needs.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho said the funding will help organizations introduce forward-looking programs at a time when community supports remain essential. “Whether it’s supporting academic achievement, promoting the arts or improving local programs, OTF Seed grants empower non-profit organizations to deliver bold new ideas that build stronger communities across Ontario,” Cho said. “Now more than ever, it is important to invest in initiatives that protect local services and strengthen the well-being of families across Ontario while helping organizations ensure they can continue making a meaningful impact where it’s needed most, today and for years to come.”
The province highlighted several examples of this year’s funded projects, each targeted at strengthening community capacity or addressing service gaps. One initiative focuses on youth employment, offering entrepreneurship training, job readiness supports, mentorship and wellness programming for economically vulnerable young people. Another project will allow a regional arts centre to expand inclusive programming intended to deepen community engagement and support long-term operational sustainability.
Additional grants include support for a youth development program that emphasizes the social, emotional and leadership skills required for long-term success. Funding has also been awarded to a pilot program designed to help young adults with developmental disabilities gain employment experience, an area where advocates have long called for targeted resources.
Katharine Bambrick, CEO of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, said the organization’s funding approach is rooted in the belief that local ideas and community-led solutions can drive wide-ranging improvements. “At OTF, we believe that a healthy and vibrant Ontario begins with community-driven ideas,” Bambrick said. “These investments give organizations and communities the tools to innovate, strengthen local connections, and engage Ontarians of all ages. We’re proud to support the creativity and commitment of this year’s Seed grant recipients as they work to build lasting, positive change across the province.”
Since 2018, OTF has distributed more than $809 million through its various granting programs to support more than 7,600 projects. According to the province, those investments have helped create more than 10,600 full-time jobs and generated over $1.3 billion in economic benefits for local communities. The government says the cumulative impact demonstrates the role of non-profit organizations as economic contributors as well as social service providers.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation operates as an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, with a mandate to strengthen the province’s non-profit sector and invest in initiatives that help build healthy, vibrant communities. Its Seed grants, introduced to support the launch or evaluation of community programs, are one of several funding streams the agency administers each year.
A full list of this year’s Seed grant recipients is available on OTF’s website.
