Funding and Grants

Current Funding Opportunities January to March 2026

View the Ottawa Sport Council webinar and Writing Strong Grant Applications for Community Sport slide deck provided by Tais McNeill held on January 28th, 2026.

For further guidance or questions on grant writing and applications contact OSC Executive Director Frances Mercer – [email protected]

Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant – Amount awarded Minimum $10,000 Maximum $200,000 to Improve Community Spaces – In the Capital grant stream, OTF funds projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment so people and communities can thrive. The grant application period is February 5, 2026, to March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Ottawa Community Foundation Community Initiative Grants (CIGs) Applications will be accepted from January 23 to March 9, 2026. The CIGs fund initiatives in the following broad areas: social services, arts and culture, education, environment, health, heritage, and animal welfare. In addition to program and project funding, the OCF encourages and may prioritize applications that advance more systemic and collaborative approaches to issues of concern. Applicants can request up to $25,000; however, the average grant is between $15,000 and $20,000.

City of Ottawa Community partnership minor capital program Applications will be accepted until May 1 and then September 1 each year. The program is an initiative available for minor capital improvements to city-owned parks, recreation, and cultural facilities on a cost-sharing basis with community groups. Examples include play equipment, basketball courts, park furniture, tree planting, landscape improvements, minor community facility improvements, etc. The City matches the community contribution for projects on City property to a maximum of $15,000 or 50% of the total cost of the project.

Canada Post Community Foundation Grant provides grants to Canadian schools, charities and community organizations that make a difference in the lives of children and youth (up to age 21). Since 2012, the Foundation has granted $16.4 million to more than 1,400 projects across Canada. Grants are available for projects that support three areas:
Health – Projects that support the health and physical activity of children from vulnerable communities, or those with disabilities or illnesses.
Community – Projects that help foster a better future for children, including social services, arts and culture.
Education – Projects that offer education, therapeutic and rehabilitative programs.
February 9, 2026: Application is available to February 27, 2026 (2:00 pm ET): Application deadline

	The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is Canada’s leading charitable grant making foundation. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF awards approximately 1,500 grants each year to community-based not-for-profits and charitable organizations in the arts, recreation, environment and human and social services sectors from across the province. OTF’s investments in community-based initiatives strengthen the capacity of organizations and the voluntary sector.
	For academic purposes, the SPRI allocates funding for qualified researchers to conduct research related to enhancing participation in sport in Canada. The SPRI’s target areas for research include: participant development, system performance, values and ethics, major games and events, and economic and social development.
	KidSport Ottawa helps Ottawa children and youth from low-income families participate in organized sport by providing grants for sport registration fees and equipment. Currently, KidSport Ottawa offers three different types of grant programs: funding for sport registration fees and/or equipment, donated sport team placements, and donated sport camp placements.
	The Quest for Gold Athlete Assistance Program provides support to Ontario’s amateur high performance athletes. The funding helps athletes to continue their pursuit of athletic excellence at the highest levels of national and international competition.
	Jumpstart helps youth become involved in sports by assisting costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation for sports and physical activity programming. The charity works across Canada, linking up with local organizations to run events aimed at increasing participation in sport.