Advocacy

Develop an online project from the ground up, with the support of a web development agency. Typically, Digital Projects take about 2-3 years to build to achieve your vision and meet web accessibility standards.

DMC is centered on digital storytelling. Proposed projects should be developed around telling a story to a specific target audience with a tailored user experience. The story should be structured according to key messages, audience take-aways or themes. Content and collections should be selected to reinforce the chosen narrative.

Receive an investment of up to $25,000 to develop a community stories website using Digital Museum Canada’s website building platform.

The Access to Heritage component of the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) provides funding to heritage organizations for travelling exhibitions in Canada, and to promote access to heritage across different geographic regions.

The Collections Management component of the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) provides funding for projects to improve knowledge, skills and practices related to key museum functions.

OTF grants support the work of eligible non-profit organizations to help them deliver direct community-based programs and services in Ontario. Grow grants range from $100,000 to $600,000 over 2 or 3 years. Grants support established programs and services that have a proven track record of success and meet community need. Applicants can apply for funding to expand, improve or adapt an existing program or service.

OTF invests in projects that help build healthy and vibrant communities. OTF’s funding priorities focus on areas that identify the types of change OTF invests in. Select the funding priority that best meets the goal of your project:   

• Foster physically active lifestyles
• Help people build stronger connections and a deeper sense of belonging in their community 
• Enrich lives through arts, culture and heritage
• Support youth to develop stronger social, emotional and leadership skills
• Support participation in the conservation and restoration of the environment
• Enable economically vulnerable people to meet their basic needs and/or strengthen their financial stability

The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) recognizes the impact that healthy and resilient families have on the future success of young people. 

We define a parent, guardian or caregiver as someone who is responsible for the physical, emotional, and economic wellbeing of children and youth.  Our definition of parents, guardians and caregivers is inclusive and respects diverse cultural and decolonized interpretations of these roles. 

By investing in grassroots projects that are community-led and community-designed, opportunities are created for families to develop culturally anchored solutions to issues faced by people like them, and empower parents, guardians and caregivers to improve their social and economic stability. Through shared identities, culture and traditions, families can find ways to connect and create networks of support to navigate social systems and services that present obstacles to their success through a Family Innovations Grant. 

Eligible groups can apply for a Family Innovations Test grant to support a project designed With a Family Innovations Test grant, parents, guardians and caregivers can:

• Try out a new idea that has the potential to make a positive impact on the wellbeing of parents, guardians and caregivers
• Research, learn and understand more about a specific topic or issue
• Bring parents, guardians and caregivers together to discuss an issue and explore new approaches collectively

YOF prioritizes grassroots groups that are looking to address the experiences of Indigenous (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) and/or Black parents, guardians and caregivers who continue to face systemic barriers and oppression.

In addition to the prioritization of Black and Indigenous grassroots groups and parents, guardians and caregivers, YOF prioritizes investing in projects that positively impact parents, guardians and caregivers with the following intersecting lived experiences or identities:  

• Parents, guardians, and caregivers and/or their children in conflict or at risk of being in conflict with the law
• Parents, guardians, and caregivers at risk of contact or in contact with child welfare services
• Parents, guardians, and caregivers whose children are at-risk of dropping out or have dropped out of school
• Parents, guardians, and caregivers and/or their children living with disabilities or special needs
• Parents, guardians, and caregivers and/or their children who are two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+)

The Expression of Interest is the first step of a grant application and it provides OTF with the information needed to assess your proposed project. Groups with Expressions of Interest that are shortlisted will be invited to complete Step 2 of the grant application. It is due April 9, 2025.

The final grant application is due July 9, 2025, 5 PM ET.

Term length: Minimum 1 year, Maximum 3 years
Amount awarded (per year): Maximum $100,000

Successful local projects tailored to the needs of youth can resonate in ways that require a scaled-up response to continue to meet the demand created through trust and collaboration. 

YOF believes that grassroots leaders with at least two years of experience running community-based projects have the skills to expand and improve them for the communities they serve. By scaling these proven initiatives, they can further improve the social and economic well-being of youth in their communities. A Youth Innovations Scale grant is designed to help groups: 

• Enhance their existing project to create a deeper impact, or
• Expand their project to reach more youth.

YOF prioritizes grassroots groups that are looking to address the experiences of Indigenous and/ or Black youth who continue to face systemic barriers and oppression.

In addition to prioritizing Black and Indigenous grassroots groups, YOF prioritizes investing in projects that positively impact youth with the following lived experiences or identities:  

• Youth in conflict or at risk of being in conflict with the law   
• Youth in care or leaving care   
• Youth at-risk of dropping out or have dropped out of school  
• Youth living with disabilities and/or special needs between the ages of 12 to 29   
• Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth

Term length: Minimum 2 years, Maximum 3 years
Amount awarded (per year): Maximum $150,000

The Expression of Interest is the first step of a grant application and it provides OTF with the information needed to assess your proposed project. Groups with Expressions of Interest that are shortlisted will be invited to complete Step 2 of the grant application. It is due April 9, 2025.

The final grant application is due July 9, 2025, at 5 PM ET

Call for Projects
2025 – 2026

The purpose of the GLAM Incubator is to connect GLAM organizations (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) with expertise and resources from the University of Toronto and
industry partners. The Incubator is dedicated to prototyping and supporting small-scale, experimental, and innovative projects, such as cutting-edge programming, service models,
research tools, interactive experiences, knowledge media, and user interfaces. As an ethical approach to community partnerships, the Incubator is driven by the needs that GLAM
organizations identify for themselves. The Incubator prioritizes projects that have the potential to expand beyond the initiating institution to impact an area of the GLAM sector
more broadly.

The GLAM Incubator has previously supported projects at the Archives of Ontario, Deyohahá:ge: Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Fredericton Public Library, Toronto Public Library, Uxbridge Historical Society, The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBT2Q+ Archive, Macquarie University History Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Museum, and Myseum of Toronto.

To be eligible for the GLAM Incubator, project proposals must:

• Apply on behalf of a GLAM organization (i.e. the applicant must work within the organization or have a demonstrated history of partnership with the organization)
• Be “small-scale” with a well-bounded project design
• Have an experimental or innovative approach that addresses a specific challenge or timed opportunity
• Be short-term (max. 1 year duration)

The Incubator will use its resources and infrastructure to run multiple projects concurrently. Successful projects will be matched with a faculty member(s) from the
University of Toronto whose expertise can help the project to achieve its goals. The Incubator will lend, purchase, or assist with the acquisition of technological equipment and software required for the project. It will also assist with project tasks such as event facilitation, graphic design, social media, research expertise, knowledge mobilization activities, project management, and other supports as necessary. The Incubator will help project leads secure external funding to sustain projects after incubation.

TO APPLY
Applications are open to a wide range of GLAM organizations. Applicants must apply on behalf of a GLAM organization or network of organizations.
Projects must address a challenge or opportunity that benefits a GLAM organization and demonstrate potential impact on an area of the GLAM sector more broadly.

Please submit the following to [email protected] no later than August 1, 2025:

• Two-page description of the project;
• Resume(s) of the lead applicant(s);
• A list of potential equipment, space, expertise, administrative, and funding needs.
  

Any questions about applicant eligibility or the application process can be directed to Cate Cleo Alexander at [email protected]. We welcome inquiries from potential applicants.

Building Communities through Arts and Heritage — Local Festivals component provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists; local artisans; local heritage performers or specialists; and local First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultural carriers. This includes the celebration of LGBTQ2+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations.

The fund component assists museums with the costs related to the hosting of travelling exhibitions originating from another museum or from a federal heritage institution and the borrowing of artifacts from any of the National museums of Canada. Read the Application Guidelines for more information.

OCAF has three specific aims: to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario cultural organizations to promote, market and present one-off or first-time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events; increase the earned revenue capacity of the applicant organization; and support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation.

The fund supports the improvement of physical conditions for arts, heritage culture and creative innovation. The fund supports renovation and construction projects, the acquisition of specialized equipment and feasibility studies related to cultural spaces.

The program is designed to help build strong and resilient Northern communities through infrastructure investments, to upgrade / repair existing assets to improve community quality of life, economic development infrastructure and strategic economic development initiatives. It has three streams; Enhance Your Community Program, Rural Enhancement Funding Stream and Broadband and Cellular Expansion Projects.

The stream supports organizations that host events that increase community profile and promote economic development in Northern Ontario. Municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations, and Local Services Boards located in Northern Ontario are eligible to apply.

The program is designed to attract, retain and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce. It has 2 streams: Indigenous Workforce Development Stream, and Workforce Development Stream.

The program provides funding to community-based events that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination, or celebrate a community’s history and culture such as heritage months recognized by Parliament. Read the Application Guidelines for more information.

The grant helps designated organizations acquire cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance to Canada, as outlined in the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. Designated organizations are located in Canada and demonstrate the ability to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural property. Grants can be used to purchase cultural property for which an export permit has been denied; or that is important to Canada’s national heritage and available for purchase outside the country.

Provides funding for community-initiated capital projects, intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. 

FedDev Ontario delivers $800,000 annually through EDI to support projects encouraging economic diversification, business development, innovation, partnerships and increased support for small- and medium-sized enterprises in Francophone communities in Southern Ontario. 

Through the program, the Government of Canada assumes the financial responsibility for loss or damage to objects and appurtenances in eligible travelling exhibitions. The Program has two objectives: first, to increase access for Canadians to Canada’s and the world’s heritage through the exchange of artifacts and exhibitions in Canada; and second, to provide Canadian art galleries, museums, archives, and libraries with a competitive advantage when competing for the loan of prestigious international exhibitions.

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario.

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario.

The Public Outreach component of Arts Across Canada supports activities of Canadian groups and organizations, as well as professionals in architecture, that contribute to the public appreciation and enjoyment of the arts. Grants fund a wide range of live events, publications and other initiatives that build connections between artists and diverse audiences.

The purpose of this program is to provide approximately $ 1.5 million in funding each year to local organizations in support of Canada’s documentary heritage. The term “documentary heritage” refers to records and publications (written or audio-visual) that reflect Canada’s history. Some examples include:

• photographs
• audio or visual recordings
• treaties
• dictionaries and lexicons
• portraits
• diaries
• maps

OCAF has three aims: (1) to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario organizations to develop, promote and present one- off or first time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events; (2) increase the earned revenue capability of the applicant organization; and (3) support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation. It achieves this by providing up front working capital directed towards the applicant’s marketing and promotional costs, with the investment taking the form of a partially repayable loan. Eligible recipients of the fund include Ontario-based, not-for-profit and/or charitable professional arts, heritage or cultural organization, or an Ontario municipality / municipal agency, or First Nation, Band Council, Metis, Inuit community that is undertaking a major project in the arts or heritage sector.

This fund assists professional arts organizations that are facing the prospect of closure.

In specific circumstances, funding is available for the restructuring of an arts organization, so it can continue to contribute to the community it is serving. This component was established for those rare instances where a professional arts organization faces the prospect of closure, yet there is a high degree of support for its continuation and a viable business/restructuring plan.

A restructuring project proposal must include:

• a viable debt elimination plan;
• a viable restructuring plan; and
• a repayment proposal approved by creditors.