Funding Resources

Community organizations work hard to respond to the needs of the community and funding initiatives to help to support this work are available from many sources, including the federal and provincial governments, business and other funding organizations. This page will post funding opportunities that may be of interest to local organizations and other resources that can help in the application process.

Questions? A series of frequently asked questions and answers is at the bottom of the page.

Find Tips for Writing Grant Applications and helpful Data Sources for Grant Applications. 

Funding Opportunities Update e-Newsletter

The Funding Opportunities Update is a bi-monthly e-newsletter that provides information about upcoming grants, funders and funding deadlines. You can find links to the most current issues below.

The updates are not exhaustive lists of funding opportunities and should not preclude you investigating funding opportunities on your own. If you find a grant that you think should be added to the list, please let us know by emailing funding@durham.ca.

Current Issue

Funding Opportunities Update: January 2025: This update includes upcoming funding opportunities with deadlines for applications.

Sign up to receive the Funding Opportunities Update by emailing funding@durham.ca.

Local Funders and Community Organizations

Current Funding Opportunities

The current funding opportunities listed below opened after the most current Funding Opportunities Update was released and so were not included in the e-newsletter.

Clarington Community Funding Program

The Clarington Community Funding Program provides financial support to eligible organizations who align with Clarington’s 2024-27 Strategic Plan priorities:

1. Lead: Setting an example through exceptional services and governance
2. Connect: Creating a safe, diverse, inclusive and vibrant community
3. Grow Responsibly: Encouraging resilient, sustainable and complete community practices

Quick Facts

• NEW for 2025: The Community Funding Program applications have moved to Service Clarington for improved accessibility and service delivery. 
• Up to a maximum of $5,000 can be awarded per application.
• Once you've reached a total of $20,000 received, you must wait three years before your organization can apply again.
• Funding decisions are made by a committee of Municipal staff and members of the community.
• In-kind support is available to eligible organizations on an on-going basis

Applications for the 2025 Community Funding Program are now open. Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025. 

Learn More

Government of Ontario: Seniors Community Grants

The Seniors Community Grant Program helps local not-for-profit community groups and organizations deliver projects, supports and resources that help older adults (aged 55+):

• live independently
• live with safety and security
• stay connected to their community
• avoid isolation
• achieve greater financial security and social connections

 Programming can be delivered either:

• remotely
• virtually
• in-person

Grants range from $1,000 to up to $25,000.

Download the fact sheet (PDF).

Veterans Program Stream

Building on the government’s priority to improve the quality of life for Ontario’s veterans, the 2025–26 Seniors Community Grant Program will include a program stream focused on funding projects that will positively impact senior veterans.

Eligibility

Applicants may be:

• incorporated organizations that can apply for up to $25,000
• individuals representing local, unincorporated seniors’ groups that can apply for a maximum of $10,000

Projects must involve older adults and meet at least one of the ministry’s key priorities outlined in the program guidelines.

Approved projects are anticipated to start by June 2025 and must be completed by March 31, 2026.

Deadline: January 16, 2025

Learn More

Government of Canada: Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative

The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative supports workforce planning and skills training in communities significantly impacted by a mass layoff. It provides funding for community-based projects that help workers develop the skills they need to transition to new jobs.

Mass layoffs can have long-term effects on local employment in a community. A variety of services and programs exist that can be accessed quickly to help workers affected by a layoff (e.g., Employment Insurance, training and re-employment transition supports, etc.). The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative can be accessed when additional supports are needed within the community. This funding will help communities to identify growth industries and will help transition laid-off workers to new jobs.

Application period: Eligible organizations can apply to this continuous call for expression of interest from October 16, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The call may close earlier if funding has been fully committed.

Who can apply: Not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, municipal governments, Indigenous organizations or governments, and educational institutions.

Deadline: March 31, 2025 (The call may close earlier if funding has been fully committed)

Learn More

Government of Canada: Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program - Call for Concepts

The Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program (PSWRSIP) will provide funding to eligible initial recipients that are able to provide retirement savings incentives through tax-assisted private savings vehicles to personal support workers (PSWs) without workplace retirement security coverage.

The Department is accepting applications from organizations interested in receiving funding from the new Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program (PSW-RSIP). Eligible organizations can apply for funding between $1 million and $30 million. Projects must operate for 24 months over the 2026 and 2027 calendar years.

The process involves two steps. This first step is a competitive call for concepts (CFC). Your concept should provide high-level information on the proposed administration of the pilot project, the structure and parameters of the incentives to be provided, the PSWs expected to participate in your pilot project, and how you will meet the objective of providing services in both official languages. If you successfully complete step 1 you will be invited to step 2 to develop a comprehensive project proposal. In step 2, you will be asked to provide additional information about your project, including detailed projections for PSW participation, savings and incentives paid, and of administrative costs. You will also need to outline your strategies for meeting the program's performance data requirements, ensuring the eligibility of participating PSWs, ensuring accurate incentive payments, and marketing the pilot project to reach PSWs. Additionally, you will need to explain which of your own resources will support the pilot project, whether the project is scalable or could continue after the federal contribution ends and outline contingency plans in case of oversubscription.

Deadline: If your proposal is fully developed and believe you can demonstrate how it meets the requirements of step 2 by January 24, 2025, contact us immediately at edsc.pssp-psw.esdc@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca to receive additional information. The assessment of such proposals could be fast-tracked and, if successful, the project(s) could be launched before January 2026.

Learn More

Ontario Trillium Foundation: Capital Grants

Through Capital Grants, the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) helps non-profits undertake essential projects that directly benefit Ontarians by improving community facilities and spaces. Grants can be used to purchase equipment and complete renovations, retrofits, or repairs.

Grant applicants need to demonstrate how their project responds to a community need or opportunity and aligns with one of the following Capital grant objectives:

• Maintain or increase access to a program or service
• Extend the life of a facility or space
• Improve a facility or space to make it more accessible

Applicants must select an objective and explain how their project will help achieve one of OTF’s Funding Priorities, as outlined in the Grant Investment Framework. 

The grant application period is from February 5, 2025, to March 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Learn More

Ontario Trillium Foundation: Attend a Youth Opportunities Fund information session

Starting in January, grassroots groups are invited to attend various information sessions to learn about the Youth Innovations and Family Innovations grant streams. Conversation topics include:

• Eligibility requirements for core groups
• Priority Outcomes available for each grant stream
• Eligible Primary Beneficiaries for projects

Information sessions will run January 14 through February 12, 2025. 

Deadline to submit Expressions of Interest: April 9, 2025

Register for a session today

Town of Whitby Mayor's Community Development Fund

Community Grants

The Town of Whitby is providing funds through the Mayor’s Community Development Fund (MCDF), which provides financial assistance to local community groups, events and initiatives that help contribute to Whitby as a vibrant and caring community. The criteria has been expanded to focus on local organizations working to help the Whitby community during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis for community grants of up to $5,000. 

Lead Cause Grants

Applications for Lead Cause Grants of up to $25,000 are accepted once per year, with a deadline of March 31.

Deadline: End of October for the Mayor's Fundraiser and end of March for the Mayor's Golf Tournament

Frequently Asked Questions