Did you know that nearly 15% of people in Ontario living with disabilities face daily struggles just to get to a doctor or visit a friend? It’s a heavy weight to carry when your organization wants to help your community, but feels stuck because you can’t find funding for a vehicle to get to them.
You might feel worried that people in places like Barrie or Sudbury are missing out on care because they lack transportation. This gap between needing help and actually reaching it can feel like a wall that never moves. If this barrier stays up, people lose their dignity and stay isolated from the world. But imagine a day where every person in your community has a safe way to reach their goals. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is a key partner that helps turn that dream into a reality.
At MoveMobility, we’ve spent over 20 years helping organizations like yours find the right path to reach people. We are proud to be part of the Ford Pro Upfitter program and hold the Stellantis QPro certification. Every vehicle we build carries the National Safety Mark because your safety matters. We believe compassionate care should be easy to reach for everyone. Our mission is to support your mission by creating tools that foster freedom.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What the Ontario Trillium Foundation does
- The types of funding they offer for
- How to get funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation
What is the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and what do they do?
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For over 40 years, it’s been one of the largest granting foundations in all of Canada. It’s a group that works hard to build healthy and vibrant communities from the shores of Lake Erie all the way up to Hudson Bay.
They don’t just hand out money for the sake of it. Instead, they invest in local non-profits and charities that have a clear plan to make life better for the people living right next door. Every year, they invest over $100 million into hundreds of community projects. This funding helps small local groups and big provincial teams alike.
How does the foundation help local organizations grow?
When we discuss what they do, it’s all about strengthening the capacity of the nonprofit sector. In simple words, it means they give organizations the tools, space, and staff they need to do their jobs well. If a food bank in London needs a better way to track its deliveries, or a youth centre in Ottawa needs to fix a roof, this foundation is often the first place they look for help. They act as a spark that starts a fire. When they’re the first ones to support a project, they help other people see that the project is worth their time and money too.
The foundation follows a very specific roadmap called a Grant Investment Framework. This framework makes sure every dollar goes toward things that actually help people feel happier and healthier.
They focus on six main action areas:
- Active people: They fund projects that get people moving, like a new sports league in Windsor.
- Connected people: This is about making sure nobody feels left out or experiences isolation.
- Inspired people: They support the arts and culture that make our province feel alive.
- Prosperity: This area focuses on helping people find good jobs and feel stable.
- Promising young people: They fund programs that help kids grow up feeling safe and supported.
- Green people: They support projects that protect our water, air, and land.
Local voices making local choices
One of the best things about how they work is that they don’t just make decisions from a tall office building in Toronto. They use local volunteers who live right in your community. These volunteers know the local streets and the local problems better than anyone else. They sit on review teams and look at every application to see which ones will have the biggest impact. This means if you’re a nonprofit in the Kawarthas, your application is being read by people who actually understand what life is like there. It makes the whole process feel much more human and fair.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation also places a massive focus on equity and inclusion. They recognize that some groups of people have faced more barriers than others. They have specific funds designed to help grassroots groups that are led by the people they serve. It’s about giving a hand to those who have been held back for too long. They want to make sure every person in Ontario, regardless of their background or ability, has a chance to thrive and feel a sense of belonging.
Building a stronger province through investment
To sum it up, they’re the engine behind many of the community services you see every day. They provide the capital to buy equipment or fix buildings. They provide the seed money to try out a brand-new idea. They also provide the growth funding to take a successful program and make it even bigger. They believe that when our local charities are strong, our whole province is strong. When you remove financial barriers, it allows these organizations to focus on what they do best. They help you care for your neighbours and save lives in your own unique ways.
What types of funding does the Ontario Trillium Foundation provide?
The Ontario Trillium Foundation has a few different ways it gives out funding to help organizations like yours. They understand that sometimes you need a small amount to start a new idea, and other times you require a larger boost to purchase a vehicle or repair a building. Because they want to ensure the money is used effectively, they have different “grant streams” based on the project’s needs. Each stream has its own set of rules, but they all aim to make Ontario a better place for everyone to live.
1. Capital grants for big tools or spaces
The Capital grant stream is one of the most exciting ones for organizations that need a physical boost. This funding is for purchasing fixed and non-fixed equipment, or for fixing up community spaces to make them more accessible. If you’re looking to bring a wheelchair van or a mobile medical unit to your town, this is likely where you’ll look. You can apply for anywhere from $10,000 to $200,000 to help with these costs.
For example, LOFT Community Services received $91,700 to buy an accessible van. This van helps seniors with mental and physical challenges in their community get to where they need to go safely. Another great example is Community Reach North Simcoe, which used a grant to add a new accessible van to its fleet. This vehicle helps residents in rural areas get to medical appointments and grocery stores.
2. Seed and Grow grants for new ideas
Sometimes you don’t need a wheelchair van right away. Maybe you need to test a new way of delivering care first. That’s where Seed grants come in. These are smaller grants, usually up to $100,000 for one year. They help you seed a new idea or pilot a project to see if it works. It’s like testing the soil before you plant a whole garden.
- Seed grants: These help you build your team’s skills or try out a brand-new service for a year.
- Grow grants: If you already have a program that’s working great, a Grow grant can help you make it even bigger. These can go up to $600,000 over two or three years.
- Resilient Communities Fund: This special fund helps groups adapt to big changes or challenges so they can keep serving their neighbours.
3. Supporting youth and grassroots groups
The Ontario Trillium Foundation also cares deeply about young people. They have a special program called the Youth Opportunities Fund. This isn’t suitable for every organization, but it’s ideal for grassroots teams led by young people who want to address systemic problems in their own lives. It’s all about giving power back to the community so they can lead the way.
Whether you’re in a big city like Toronto or a smaller area like Thunder Bay, these grants are designed to remove the financial barriers that stop good things from happening. By providing this funding, the foundation allows you to focus on the human side of your work. You get to focus on the smiles of the people who finally have a way to leave their house and the relief of a patient who can finally see a doctor in a mobile clinic.
How do you get funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation?
Now that you know what the Ontario Trillium Foundation can do, you might be wondering how to get the ball rolling. It’s like planning a big road trip. You need a map, a packed bag, and a clear goal before you turn the key. Getting funding is a journey, but it’s one that can lead to more freedom and better health for your target communities.
1. Registering your organization first
The very first step is to register your organization on their online portal. You can’t just jump straight into the application. The foundation needs to make sure your group is eligible before they look at your project. This part can take a little time, so don’t wait until the last minute.
- Check your status: You usually need to be a registered charity or a nonprofit that has been around for at least a year.
- Gather your papers: You’ll need things like your financial statements and a list of your board members.
- Get authorized: Make sure the person in charge of your group is ready to sign off on everything.
2. Planning a winning project
Once you’re registered, it’s time to talk about your dream. If your goal is a mobile medical unit to reach rural towns near North Bay, you need to show why that matters. The foundation loves to see that you’ve talked to the community and know exactly what they need. They want to hear about the people whose lives will change because they finally have a ride to their appointments.
When you fill out the application, remember that local volunteers will be reading it. They want to see a clear budget and a solid plan. If you’re buying a vehicle over $5,000, it’s a great idea to get a couple of quotes from manufacturers. This shows you’ve done your homework and are ready to spend the money wisely to help the most people.
3. Submitting and waiting for the news
After you hit submit, the review process usually takes about four to five months. It’s a bit of a wait, but it’s worth it. If you get the green light, you’ll have an orientation meeting to go over the rules. If you don’t get it this time, don’t worry! You can often book a call to learn how to make your next try even stronger. Every step you take brings you closer to removing those barriers and bringing dignity to your community.
Got any questions about the Ontario Trillium Foundation?
You probably found this article because you feel the weight of a growing gap in your community. It’s frustrating to see people lose their independence because they cannot reach the care or connection they need to thrive.
In this guide, you learned:
- How the Ontario Trillium Foundation invests in local organizations like yours to build healthier towns.
- The steps to apply for capital grants that can bring a life-changing vehicle to your fleet.
At MoveMobility, we believe that every person deserves a dignified way to move through the world. Our team has spent over two decades crafting vehicles that act as bridges to health and freedom for thousands of Canadians.
We partner with organizations like yours to make sure your outreach program is safe, reliable, and ready to save lives. It’s our honour to support the leaders who are on the front lines of care every single day. If you have any questions about how a specialized vehicle can help your specific program, please click the button below to talk to a mobility expert.
If you’re not ready to talk to a mobility expert yet, we have a few other resources you should check out to learn more.
Recommended next reads
- How to get more funding for your wheelchair van: This article gives you even more ideas on where to find the money you need to help your community.
- Grants for wheelchair vans: How to apply in 6 steps: Read this to get a simple, step-by-step plan for making your next grant application a total success.
- How to choose a wheelchair van (11 steps): This guide helps you choose the right type of wheelchair van for your program.
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