Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grants Program 2026

Ontario Trillium Foundation is currently accepting applications for its System Innovations Grants Program 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to click here to learn more about this grants and apply with it.

About Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grants Program

Opportunity Details

Date Published: November 12, 2025
Application Deadline: February 11, 2026
Category: Entrepreneurs Grants
Oppotunity Locations: Canada

The System Innovations Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is designed to support collaborative projects that aim to improve how systems—like education, justice, child welfare, social services, and employment—serve youth in Ontario.

Sponsor Organisation: Ontario Trillium Foundation

Benefits of Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grants Program

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.

Ontario Trillium Foundation System Innovations Grants Program Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

Lead Organizations Must:

Be Ontario-based, incorporated as a not-for-profit for at least 5 years.
Have a strong 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 defined roles.
Reflect the communities served in leadership and staffing.
Show readiness for systems change work and youth engagement.

Application Date and Process

1. Prepare your application

Understand the eligibility requirements for lead organizations and collaborative members. This is a critical step to ensure you are eligible for funding.
Read the System Innovations grant application questions.
Discover how we define Black and Indigenous groups and organizations.
Learn how to create a collaborative agreement.

2. Book a required pre-application coaching call

Collaboratives are required to complete a pre-application coaching call before accessing the grant application.
During this call, we discuss key eligibility requirements, the details of your project and the readiness of your collaborative.
We recommend that all collaborative members join the call.

3. Create an OTF account

Lead organizations need to have an OTF account to access grant applications through OTF’s Granting Portal.
Once the pre-application coaching call is complete, create an account to begin the application.
- If the lead organization is new to OTF, create a new account.
- If the lead organization is already registered with OTF, reach out to [email protected]. We will verify if the organization’s information is up to date.

4. Complete the Organization Information

Review the application questions in the Organization Information section.
Once you submit this information, the eligibility of the lead organization is assessed.
Only lead organizations that meet funding requirements will be invited to complete the grant application.

5. Complete the grant application

Review the grant application questions. Ensure that you have answered all the questions clearly and that the application is complete.

6. Review and application assessment

Our experienced staff and volunteers review and assess your application against the assessment criteria for System Innovations grants.

7. Recommendation and selection

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

8. Notification

All applicants will receive news on the status of their grant application approximately four months after the grant application deadline.

9. After approval

Start date: Grantees can choose project start dates as early as September 1, 2026.
Reporting & monitoring: In addition to scheduled touch points twice a year, grantees track activities, spending, and learning to complete the annual report and a final report.
Evaluation: Grantees are required to work with an external evaluation partner provided by OTF. Grantees will be given resources and further information once their projects start. The evaluation partner will measure the engagement of youth in the project and the collaborative’s work to advance the system change work and the selected YOF Priority Outcome.
Knowledge sharing: If your project is approved for funding, YOF requires all System Innovations grantees to host one knowledge sharing event before the end of the grant.
Completion: After OTF staff approve a final report, the grant hold-back funds are released and the grant is closed.
Grantee compliance: A random sample of grants are subject to a Grantee Compliance Audit. Grants can be audited for compliance at any point within the grant's life, or after the grant has been closed.