Community programs for non-profits and charities

Ranked programs

Top 36 of 49 open, ongoing or intake-based programs, best score first.

1. Canada Community Security Program (CCSP)

   Public Safety Canada

   Time-limited funding to enhance physical security at gathering spaces of communities at risk of hate-motivated incidents and crimes, such as places of worship, community...

   OpenFederalGrantsUp to $5M
   43

   Strong

2. Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF)

   Ministry of Sport

   $500 million cost-shared program to repair/upgrade existing sport and recreation facilities (Stream 1) and build new or signature facilities (Stream 2).

   OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $10M
   41

   Strong

3. FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

   FedNor

   FedNor's NODP funds community economic development, SME business growth and a municipal/First Nation economic-development-officer initiative (CIINO) in Northern Ontario...

   OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $170K
   40

   Strong

4. NOHFC Enhance Your Community Program

   Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

   Funds community infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario.

   OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $2M
   39

   Strong

5. NOHFC Rural Enhancement Program

   Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

   Funds quality-of-life projects in rural Northern Ontario communities.

   OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $500K
   39

   Strong

6. Great Lakes Local Action Fund

   Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

   Project funding for community-based action that increases climate resilience and protects or improves water quality in the Great Lakes, including wetland, shoreline and...

   OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $100K
   38

   Strong

7. FedDev Ontario - Funding for organizations that help businesses grow (Regional Innovation Ecosystems)

   FedDev Ontario

   Funding for not-for-profit and community development organizations that strengthen regional business ecosystems and support SME growth in southern Ontario.

   OpenFederalGrantsUp to $10M
   37

   Worth a look

8. Celebrate Canada Funding Program

   Canadian Heritage

   Funds community activities held on National Indigenous Peoples Day, Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Canadian Multiculturalism Day and Canada Day.

   OpenFederalGrants
   36

   Worth a look

9. Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program (CLTIP)

   Ministry of Natural Resources

   Recognizes private stewardship of provincially important natural areas by exempting eligible portions of a property from property tax.

   OngoingOntarioOther incentives
   36

   Worth a look

10. SSHRC Connection Grants

    Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

    Supports events and outreach activities for short-term, targeted knowledge mobilization, often a first step toward larger and longer-term projects.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $50K
    36

    Worth a look

11. Commemorative Partnership Program (Community Engagement and Community War Memorials)

    Veterans Affairs Canada

    Funds remembrance initiatives and the construction, restoration or expansion of community war memorials. Several streams with year-round and fixed-deadline intakes.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $25K
    35

    Worth a look

12. Enabling Accessibility Fund - Express Workplace Accessibility Grant (EWAG)

    Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)

    Funds immediate workplace accessibility updates that support hiring, retention or continued employment of persons with disabilities. Projects can remove barriers through...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $50K
    34

    Worth a look

13. Ontario Trillium Foundation: Grow Grant

    Ontario Trillium Foundation

    Multi-year funding for established non-profits to scale proven community programs.

    OpenOntarioGrantsUp to $200K
    34

    Worth a look

14. NOHFC Community Events Program

    Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)

    Funds events that promote economic development in Northern Ontario.

    OngoingOntarioGrantsUp to $15K
    32

    Worth a look

15. SSHRC Partnership Engage Grants

    Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

    Supports short-term partnered research involving a postsecondary institution and a single organization from the public, private or not-for-profit sector, so the partner...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $50K
    31

    Worth a look

16. Changing Narratives Fund

    Department of Canadian Heritage

    The Changing Narratives Fund supports diverse communities (Indigenous, Black, racialized, ethno-religious minority, people with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI+) in sharing...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    30

    Worth a look

17. FedDev Ontario - Economic Development Initiative (official language minority communities)

    FedDev Ontario

    Non-repayable funding to Francophone or bilingual not-for-profits in southern Ontario for economic growth in official language minority communities.

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $500K
    29

    Worth a look

18. Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program - Events component

    Canadian Heritage

    Funds community events that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, discuss multiculturalism and racism, or celebrate a community's history and culture such...

    OpenFederalGrants
    29

    Worth a look

19. FedNor - Build Communities Strong Fund, Local Impact Stream (Northern Ontario)

    FedNor

    Non-repayable funding for shovel-ready community projects in Northern Ontario that deliver public benefits.

    Intake-basedFederalGrantsUp to $1M
    28

    Worth a look

20. Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund for Indigenous Communities and Organizations

    Ministry of Transportation

    The Indigenous Transportation Initiatives Fund (ITIF) is an application-based funding program for Indigenous communities and organizations pursuing...

    OpenOntarioGrants
    28

    Worth a look

21. Ontario Transit Investment Fund (OTIF)

    Ministry of Transportation

    Time-limited, application-based funding for up to 5 years to support the start-up and growth of transit services, especially in smaller and rural communities.

    OpenOntarioGrants
    28

    Worth a look

22. Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    A community-based program funding projects that prevent and reduce homelessness in urban, Indigenous, territorial and rural and remote communities, with decisions made...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    28

    Worth a look

23. Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada

    The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) supports the recovery and protection of aquatic species at risk. It funds multi-species, place-based and...

    OpenFederalGrants
    27

    Worth a look

24. Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program

    Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)

    Cost-share for rural economic development: plans, diversification, workforce, events, community infrastructure and rural small business.

    Intake-basedOntarioGrantsUp to $250K
    26

    Worth a look

25. Ontario Trillium Foundation: Capital Grant

    Ontario Trillium Foundation

    Funding for equipment, renovation and capital projects of non-profits.

    Intake-basedOntarioGrantsUp to $200K
    24

    Long shot

26. Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage - Local Festivals

    Canadian Heritage

    Funds local festivals that celebrate local arts and heritage and encourage community engagement.

    Intake-basedFederalGrantsUp to $200K
    23

    Long shot

27. Kitchener LoveMyHood Matching Grant

    City of Kitchener (Neighbourhood Development Office)

    Matching grants for resident-led neighbourhood projects, including capital projects and events, across Kitchener.

    Intake-basedOntarioGrantsUp to $30K
    22

    Long shot

28. Ontario Trillium Foundation: Youth Opportunities Fund - Youth Innovations (Test and Scale)

    Ontario Trillium Foundation

    Grassroots funding for youth-led groups and youth-adult partnerships to pilot (Test) or grow (Scale) projects that improve youth wellbeing, prioritizing Indigenous and...

    Intake-basedOntarioGrantsUp to $150K
    22

    Long shot

29. Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative

    Canada Water Agency

    Supports local action to restore Great Lakes Areas of Concern, prevent toxic and nuisance algae, protect coastal wetlands, reduce harmful chemicals and increase...

    OpenFederalGrants
    21

    Long shot

30. Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF)

    Canadian Heritage

    Supports improving physical conditions for arts, heritage and creative innovation, including renovation projects and the acquisition of specialized equipment for...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    20

    Long shot

31. FedNor - Economic Development Initiative (EDI), Northern Ontario

    FedNor

    Funds projects that encourage economic growth in Northern Ontario's Francophone communities and that capitalize on economic opportunities made possible through the use...

    OngoingFederalGrants
    20

    Long shot

32. National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places

    Parks Canada

    Cost-shares conservation and presentation work at national historic sites, heritage lighthouses and heritage railway stations through annual calls for project proposals.

    OpenFederalGrants
    20

    Long shot

33. NSERC Alliance Society grants

    NSERC

    Funds university-led collaborative research with partner organizations focused on societal outcomes.

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $500K
    20

    Long shot

34. Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability: Disability Benefits Navigation

    Employment and Social Development Canada

    Funds not-for-profits to help persons with disabilities and their families access federal, provincial and territorial disability benefits, including the Disability Tax...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $1M
    20

    Long shot

35. Toronto Heritage Grant Program

    City of Toronto (Heritage Planning)

    Matching grants since 1986 for eligible heritage conservation work on Toronto properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Helps owners repair masonry, windows...

    Intake-basedOntarioGrantsUp to $20K
    20

    Long shot

36. Kitchener Community Grants (Tier 2)

    City of Kitchener

    Operating and program grants to organizations in arts and culture, special events, community support and development, and minor sports or recreation serving Kitchener...

    Intake-basedOntarioGrants
    19

    Long shot

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Questions

How many community programs for non-profits and charities are open right now?

Of the 114 community programs for non-profits and charities in our database, 31 are open or ongoing and 18 take applications only in intake windows. The rest are closed, paused or of unknown status, so they are not ranked on this page. Counts reflect our last check on Nov 4, 2026; programs can change without notice.

What is the largest published amount among these programs?

Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) publishes the largest figure on this page, shown as "Up to $10M". Published figures are program maximums, caps or limits, not what an applicant should expect to receive; many programs pay a share of eligible costs and amounts depend on your project and eligibility.

Which community programs for non-profits and charities rank highest?

Right now the top three by our score are Canada Community Security Program (43, Strong), Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (41, Strong), FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (40, Strong). The score combines the size of the published amount, how much work an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify.

Do I have to pay this money back?

It depends on the program. Grants and incentives are generally not repaid, loans always are, and some contribution agreements are partly or fully repayable, so read the terms of each program. Among the 31 open or ongoing programs here, 30 are in our Grants category, 0 are loans and 1 are other incentives such as tax credits and rebates.

Are these federal or Ontario programs?

22 of the 31 open or ongoing programs here come from the federal government and 9 from the Ontario government. Both levels can usually be combined, but many programs have stacking rules that cap total government funding for the same costs, so check them before you apply.

Is this an official government website?

No. Grants & Loans Finder is an independent research tool. Each program page links to the official source, and applications are always made with the government agency or lender that runs the program.