Ontario Trillium Foundation
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and Canada’s largest granting foundation. Over $110 million is awarded annually to some 1000 nonprofit and charitable organizations across the province.
Each year, more than 3,000 applications are reviewed by hundreds of volunteers. Supported by professional and experienced staff, volunteers bring knowledge of local needs and a wide range of expertise to the decision-making process. In 2013, OTF celebrated its 30th anniversary as a grantmaker and thought leader.
OTF grants are made across 16 catchments, which cover the province of Ontario. The Foundation awards grants in six distinct Action Areas: Active People, Inspired People, Green People, Promising Young People, Prosperous People, Connected People. The Foundation makes four different types of grants, which are described as Investment Streams: seed (for projects at the conceptual stage), grow (building on the success of a proven initiative), capital (for community infrastructure) and collective impact (working collaboratively to tackle complex problems).
OTF's investment strategy is based on a theory of change that identifies the changes that need to happen in Ontario over the next decade, so the Foundation can fulfill its mandate of building healthy and vibrant communities. This theory of change is rooted in the Canadian Index of Wellbeing.
