The Resilient Communities Fund supports the non-profit sector recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 so they can effectively meet the needs of communities across Ontario. 

OTF is investing in projects of eligible non-profit organizations to aid their medium to longer-term recovery efforts, help with their stabilization and build their capacity and resiliency in the aftermath of COVID-19. 

This fund is providing a flexible range of activities over two deadlines to address the diverse needs of organizations and to support them where they are at in their recovery and rebuilding.  

Request amount: From $5,000 to $150,000 
Grant term: up to 1 year
Application Deadlines*: 

• September 2, 2020 at 5 pm ET. CLOSED
• December 9, 2020 at 5 pm ET. 

* Due to the expected high demand and in our efforts to support as many organizations as possible, only one grant per eligible organization will be awarded. Organizations that receive a grant from the September 2nd deadline will not be eligible to apply for the December 2nd deadline.

Why has OTF created the Resilient Communities Fund?

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the non-profit sector and its ability to support and serve communities across Ontario.

We recognize that post COVID-19 recovery support will be essential to ready non-profit organizations to deal with new and emerging needs for both them and their communities by building their organizational capacity and their ability to deliver programs and services.

OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund investments to the non-profit sector will work to complement existing emergency response funding already in place by local, provincial, and federal funders by addressing medium to longer-term impacts to organizations. 

This fund aligns with OTF’s mandate to support the capacity of non-profit organizations and build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario

Who is eligible to apply?

• Community-based or provincial non-profits delivering services and programs in Ontario that are looking ahead to recovery planning with the aim of rebuilding their capacity.  Organizations need to have:
  • a presence and reputation in Ontario with a primary purpose of delivering community programs and services to benefit people in Ontario and 
  • experienced disruptions to their operations and program and service delivery due to the impacts of COVID-19.
• Review our eligibility requirements and policies to ensure your organization and project are eligible for funding and meet the following criteria:
  • Eligibility Policy
  • Capital Grants Policy
  • Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Financial Need Health of Applicants Policy (OTF requires at least one fiscal year of financial statements to consider an organization’s eligibility. Organizations with less than twelve months of financial history reflected in their financial statements will not be eligible to apply to OTF for funding)
  • Resilient Communities Fund: Financial Statement Requirements UPDATED
• OTF invests in six Action Areas and applicants are required to identify one that their organization’s mission/mandate is most aligned with: 
  • Active People: Fostering more active lifestyles
  • Connected People: Building inclusive and engaged communities together
  • Green People: Encouraging people to support a healthy and sustainable environment
  • Inspired People: Enriching people’s lives through arts, culture and heritage
  • Promising Young People: Supporting the positive development of children and youth
  • Prosperous People: Enhancing people’s economic wellbeing

What is Eligible? 

OTF is funding community-based projects and activities that will support rebuilding the capacity of eligible non-profit organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19. Projects and programs/services funded need to take place in Ontario and benefit people in Ontario communities.

Organizations can apply for one or more of the following, to: 

• Equip board members and employees with supports to implement new approaches, prepare for change and build resiliency (e.g. organizational training and coaching, strategic planning and implementation, research & development; mental and physical health and wellbeing supports)
• Improve and increase ability to access financial resources and develop new and/or alternative sources of revenues (e.g. develop fundraising plans, identify fundraising and financial technology resources, seek opportunities for public-private partnerships and social finance)
• Adapt or re-imagine the delivery of programs and services to meet the needs of the community, employees and volunteers (e.g. identify new health and safety processes and required personal protective equipment; technology supports; staffing and volunteer recruitment and training)
• Procure equipment or renovate spaces to meet the needs of the organization to be able to safely deliver its programs and services, and/or to adapt to new ways of working (e.g. equipment and/or renovations to meet changing technology, health and safety, and service delivery requirements)
• Create and/or adopt new approaches for organizations to work together to meet the needs of communities (e.g. peer learning, professional development, networking, resource, knowledge and data sharing)

How to Apply

To apply for a Resilient Communities Fund grant, you will need to apply online through OTF’s granting portal.

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Source: Ontario Trillium Foundation