Chris Glover MPP, Spadina–Fort York

Government of Ontario
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Grants and Support Programs

Ontario Senior Achievement Award

Each year, the Ontario Senior Achievement Award program recognizes extraordinary seniors who have made significant contributions to their community and/or province after the age of 65. 

To submit a nomination online, please register for the Ontario Honours and Awards Portal. Deadline for nominations is June 15, 2023. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

Free Training Program for OW Recipients

CALM is a free 8-week program for Ontario Works recipients who can use a little more help and self-confidence before they are ready to find a job. Details here. The course begins Wednesday, May 31 and each week will consist of:

  • An instructor-led training session (up to 2 hours)
  • A one-on-one coaching session with support staff (up to 1 hour)
  • Explore and identify your personal needs, skills and strategies to create a tailor-made plan for your future

To register, email [email protected] or call toll-free at 1-888-777-4982.

Free Restaurant Skills and Employment Programs

Are you 18 years or older, unemployed or working part-time and eligible to work in Ontario? Below are some free programs you may find of interest. For more information, book a Zoom call with a consultant or connect by phone at 1-888-777-4982.

Fast Track Distilled (Distillery District jobs)

Restaurant Essentials (Online)

Restaurant Ready! (In-person training)

Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Opportunities

Capital Grants

This grant is to help non-profit organizations address a community need by improving the infrastructure Ontarians need to thrive.

Application Deadline: June 14, 2023 at 5:00 pm

Details here.

 

Youth Opportunities Fund

Provides grants and capacity-building to grassroots groups and collaboratives to improve the wellbeing of youth and families with a focus on Indigenous and Black communities.

Details here.

  • System Innovations grant

Application Deadline: June 20, 2023 at 5:00 pm

  • Youth and Family Innovations Grant

Expression of interest deadline: August 23, 2023 at 5:00 pm

Application Deadline: November 1, 2023 at 5:00 pm

 

Resilient Communities Fund

Supports community-based organizations that deliver programs and services in Ontario and need funding to recover and build capacity, resilience and sustainability.

Application Deadline: October 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm

Details here.

Grants for Indigenous-Led Groups

Applications are open for the 2023 Capacity-building Grants for Indigenous Grassroots Groups and Collectives which can be used to create new projects, enhance existing programs or improve group operations. There is a total of $450,000 available for this year’s grant program. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and funds allocated in three rounds throughout the year, with deadlines to apply for each round on March 21, June 21 and September 21, 2023. Details here.

Digital Main Street Grants

Digital Main Street Grants are open again for eligible brick-and-mortar small businesses to apply. Small businesses who have previously received this grant are able to re-apply. The application portal will remain open until September 30, 2023.

Legislative Page Program

The recruitment period for the fall 2023 session of the Legislative Page Program is now open until June 15th, 2023. Each year, high-achieving, community-oriented Grade 7 and 8 students from across Ontario are chosen to serve as Legislative Pages. This unique opportunity in Toronto allows selected students to become involved in Ontario’s parliamentary process, meet key figures, and make lifelong friendships with like-minded peers. More information can be found here.

Become a GEM Mentor

The Girl E-Mentorship (GEM) program helps girls break through barriers to success by connecting them with a female mentor for a 9-month mentorship relationship. GEM mentors support mentees in navigating key personal and professional development areas including goal setting, time management and confidence building. Mentors help their mentees seek new opportunities, develop a professional network and stay committed to achieving their goals. Full details here.

Employment Support for Job Seekers with Developmental Disabilities

  • The Family Support Network for Employment (FSNE) provides support for individuals with developmental disabilities looking for paid employment. For more information, email [email protected] or visit the website here.

Professional Access into Employment Program


  • The Professional Access Into Employment (PAIE) is a 9-month program of Employment Ontario that caters to newcomers trained in the environmental sector looking to start their career. The February 2023 registration page is now open to applications from eligible residents.

Diversity Training for Employers

Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, Businesses Breaking Barriers works with employers in the skilled trades and STEM fields to strengthen their teams by introducing the practice of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Starting with a company-wide culture assessment, Times Change offers FREE tools and resources as part of an individualized DEI plan focused on increasing the recruitment, retention and advancement of underrepresented employees/candidates on your team.

Please email Larysa at [email protected].

Hospitality Youth Program

  • The Hospitality Workers Training Centre is presenting this free fast-track program for youth who are interested in working in the hospitality industry. With daily support from trainers, employment specialists, and a youth engagement and success specialist, Fast Track can help you discover a variety of hospitality career paths, and give you the opportunity to earn important industry certifications at no cost. For more information, call toll-free at 1-888-777-4982. Details here.

Women Breaking Barriers Program

  • Women Breaking Barriers works to strengthen company practices around recruitment, retention, and advancement using free tools and resources with the goal to help small to medium-sized employers find qualified candidates for their open positions and help women find sustainable, high-paying employment. More information on their programs can be found here.

Income Tax Assistance from CRA

  • Tax filing may be more challenging for some people this year because of COVID-19. Filing a tax return is very important as it will let the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determine if someone is eligible for certain benefit and credit payments, such as the Canada Child Benefit and the GST/HST credit. To help, the CRA will offer extra support to eligible individuals who have previously received support through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). Individuals who need help completing their income tax return can call 1-833-995-2341. Visit Canada.ca/tax-filing-assistance.

Ukrainian Relief in Ontario

The Ontario government is launching a suite of supports for Ukrainian families arriving under the new emergency travel authorization to connect new arrivals with job search supports and local employers in the community.

Ukrainian Canadian Congress-National (UCC)

The UCC is working with Canadian government officials at all levels to learn what programs and assistance will be provided for displaced persons coming to Canada from Ukraine. 

If you want to help a new arrival, complete the survey at ucc.ca

Education Funding Opportunities

  • Annual Studentship for Mental Health Program

Mental Health Research Canada is providing funding opportunities for university and college students. Click here for more information.

  • Tuition Programs for Foster Kids

Are you a current or former foster kid? Did you always want to go to college or university but money got in the way? Click here for participating schools.

Ontario Arts Council Grants

  • For more than 55 years, the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has provided vital support to the professional arts community in Ontario. The OAC is financed through an annual grant from the Ontario government’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Visit the website here for information on the grants available or email [email protected].

Toronto Arts Council Grants

  • Supporting the city’s artists and arts organizations through an established and effective granting program since 1974. Visit the website.

Art and Creative Skills Collective

An arts-based non-profit organization that offers free arts programming including story-writing, photography and film-making. Each program is designed to:

  • Provide a safe space for youth to express themselves
  • Build 21st-century skills among youth
  • Give youth a platform to voice their opinion, artistically
  • Deconstruct the stigma around mental illness
  • Facilitate the development of positive and peer-learning support
  • Help participants explore new career options and push their artistic inclination
  • Support participants to work in a group setting and learn as a collective, fostering a deep sense of community

Visit the website.

Pathways to Success Program for Indigenous Youth

  • The Indigenous Professional Association of Canada’s Pathways to Success Program creates new opportunities for internships and summer work experiences for Indigenous youth (17-29) in Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton. They are currently looking for employers and Indigenous youth to participate in the program. For more information, visit the Pathways to Success website and signup page.

Private Refugee Support Network Ontario

  • The Private Refugee Sponsor Network Ontario (The Network) is a volunteer-driven organization with 260 sponsors working together in response to community need, offering information, education, problem solving, and networking opportunities to enable private sponsors to better support refugee families. The Network is playing a significant role in resolving post-arrival issues, addressing potential sponsorship breakdown and creating relationships with settlement agencies that will lead to more effective service delivery in the sector. To learn more about the Private Refugee Sponsor Network Ontario, email [email protected], or visit the website at www.refugeesponsornet.ca.

Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program

  • Do you need help around your home? This program enables older adults and individuals with disabilities to continue to live independently and safely in their own homes with support from brokered home maintenance workers. Services at reasonable prices include: lawn and garden maintenance, snow shovelling, light housekeeping, odd jobs around the house. For more information, visit www.tigp.org, email [email protected] or call 416-676-5993.

Toronto Rent Bank Program

Toronto Rent Bank Program is currently offering grants of up to $4,000 or 3 months of rent to eligible low-income households who are facing eviction. Toronto residents may be eligible for an interest-free rental arrears or rental deposit grant if they:

  • Live in Toronto

  • Pay market rent for a rental unit covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA)

  • Fall within the low-income household eligibility requirement

  • Are not currently in receipt of social assistance such as Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program  (ODSP)*

  • Can satisfy other Toronto Rent Bank Program requirements, as required

Please call 416-397-RENT (7368) for more information on how to apply. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This program is offered by Neighbourhood Information Post and funded by the City of Toronto. Visit www.torontorentbank.ca for more details.

*Residents in receipt of social assistance should contact their Ontario Works or ODSP  office as they may qualify for the Housing Stabilization Fund.

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