Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grants Program 2026

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is currently accepting applications for its System Innovations Grants Program 2026. This grant is designed to support collaborative projects aimed at improving how systems—such as education, justice, child welfare, social services, and employment—serve youth in Ontario.

📖 About the Program

The System Innovations Grant supports collaborative efforts to create meaningful changes in systems that impact youth aged 12–29 in Ontario. The program focuses on fostering innovation and improving outcomes for youth through systemic change.

💰 Benefits

• Funding Amount: Up to $250,000 per year, with a maximum of $1.25 million over 5 years.
• Covers expenses such as:
  • Personnel
  • Services
  • Equipment
  • Meetings
  • Travel
  • Evaluation
• 15% cap on overhead/administrative costs.
• 10% holdback until the final report is approved.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Lead Organizations Must:

• Be Ontario-based and incorporated as a not-for-profit for at least 5 years.
• Have a proven track record of serving youth aged 12–29.
• Demonstrate financial capacity and community credibility.
• Be Indigenous or Black-led, if applying under those priority categories.

Collaboratives Must:

• Include two or more organizations with clearly defined roles.
• Reflect the communities served in leadership and staffing.
• Show readiness for systems change work and youth engagement.

📝 Application Process

1. Prepare Your Application

• Understand the eligibility requirements for lead organizations and collaborative members.
• Review the System Innovations grant application questions.
• Learn about the definitions of Black and Indigenous groups and organizations.
• Familiarize yourself with creating a collaborative agreement.

2. Book a Required Pre-Application Coaching Call

• Collaboratives must complete a pre-application coaching call before accessing the grant application.
• Discuss key eligibility requirements, project details, and collaborative readiness during the call.
• All collaborative members are encouraged to join the call.

3. Create an OTF Account

• Lead organizations must have an OTF account to access grant applications through the OTF Granting Portal.
• If the organization is new to OTF, create a new account.
• If already registered, contact yof@otf.ca to verify and update the organization's information.

4. Complete the Organization Information

• Review the application questions in the Organization Information section.
• Submit the information to assess the eligibility of the lead organization.
• Only eligible organizations will be invited to complete the grant application.

5. Complete the Grant Application

• Answer all questions clearly and ensure the application is complete.

6. Review and Application Assessment

• Applications are reviewed and assessed by experienced staff and volunteers based on the program's criteria.

7. Recommendation and Selection

• The Grant Review Committee makes funding recommendations, and OTF’s Board of Directors approves projects for funding.

8. Notification

• Applicants will be notified about the status of their grant application approximately four months after the application deadline.

9. After Approval

• Start Date: Projects can begin as early as September 1, 2026.
• Reporting & Monitoring: Grantees must track activities, spending, and learning to complete annual and final reports.
• Evaluation: Grantees will work with an external evaluation partner provided by OTF.
• Knowledge Sharing: Grantees are required to host one knowledge-sharing event before the end of the grant.
• Completion: After the final report is approved, the grant hold-back funds are released, and the grant is closed.
• Compliance: Grants may be subject to a compliance audit at any point during or after the grant's lifecycle.

📅 Application Deadline

11 February, 2026

🔗 Additional Information

• View details of the Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grants Program.
• Apply for the program here.

For further inquiries, contact yof@otf.ca.

• Up to $250,000 per year, max $1.25 million over 5 years.
• Covers personnel, services, equipment, meetings, travel, evaluation, and more.
• 15% cap on overhead/admin costs; 10% holdback until final report approval.