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. 

Event: Funding Opportunities Forum

Friday, March 21, 2025, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The bi-annual Funding Opportunities Forum is an in-person, half-day event for community and service provider organizations to enhance their grant-writing skills and learn about available funding and grant opportunities in the community by meeting with representatives of funding organizations.

The event agenda and confirmed list of speakers and funders will be available shortly.

Register to attend the Funding Opportunities Forum: Funding Opportunities Forum Tickets, Fri, Mar 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM | Eventbrite

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.

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

Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund: Food Sovereignty Bundles

Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) is now accepting applications for the Food Sovereignty Bundles. Eligible organizations and groups can apply for $5,000 to $100,000 for projects centered on food sovereignty, food security, and nutritional health and wellness, while embedding Indigenous knowledge and practices to achieve community resilience.

Should you wish to apply in French or Inuktitut, please check the website for more information.

Deadline: March 28, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET 

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: Youth Opportunities Fund 

The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) invests in community-led projects that play an essential role in creating safe spaces, empowering youth and families, supporting career pathways and addressing issues faced by our communities.

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

Supporting grassroots groups and community-based collaboratives led by people who share identities, lived experiences and who face the same systemic barriers as those who will benefit from their projects is integral to YOF’s funding priorities. Projects led by and for communities play a key role in developing solutions that are tailored to the needs of communities and providing appropriate support for those with similar experiences.

Investments made through YOF extend beyond project funding. Grant recipients receive capacity building support to learn and grow through specialized coaching and mentorship.

Whether your group wants to pilot a new project or expand an existing one, YOF offers a range of grants that may be the right fit for your group.

Deadline to submit Expressions of Interest: April 9, 2025

Learn More

Peter Gilgan Foundation: GTA Community Grants

For the third year, we are excited to support small grassroots and community-led organizations in the Greater Toronto Area who are creating solutions for their communities. Grants of up to $15,000 are available for organizations delivering projects aligned with our Focus Areas: Food Security & Systems, and Education & Economic Opportunities

Food Security and Systems

We are inviting proposals from grassroots organizations committed to enhancing equitable access to food in their communities. Examples: 

• Community gardens and urban farming projects 
• Public food markets that offer fresh, local food to the community 
• Nutrition education and community kitchens 

Education and Economic Opportunities

We are inviting proposals from grassroots organizations actively addressing education disparities and fostering economic empowerment for youth within their communities. Examples: 

• Projects that leverage partnerships with local schools to support children and youth improve education outcomes 
• Projects that leverage partnerships with local businesses and industry professionals to provide meaningful employment connections for youth 

Deadline: March 7, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions