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: November 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.

Peter Gilgan Foundation: GTA Communities Fund

We support grassroots organizations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that are building stronger, more inclusive communities.

We recognize that meaningful solutions come from those who know their communities best. Through the GTA Communities stream, we support initiatives that elevate local leadership, respond to community priorities, and build stronger, more connected neighbourhoods across the GTA. 

Focus Areas

Education & 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 partner with schools to close learning gaps and nurture career and post-secondary readiness 
• Projects that partner with local businesses and industry professionals to provide meaningful employment connections for youth  

Food Security & Systems: We are inviting proposals from grassroots organizations supporting their communities in building and maintaining equitable, locally driven food systems. Examples:  

• Community gardens and urban farming projects 
• Public food markets that offer fresh, local food to the community 
• Community food rescue and redistribution 

To be eligible to apply for funding, your organization must be one of the following:   

• An incorporated nonprofit  
• A registered charity 
• A nonprofit applying with a charitable trustee 

With a well-defined governance framework and good financial standing, supported by procedures for monitoring both revenue and expenses, and a clear charitable mandate. 

Other Key Eligibility Criteria  

• Based in the Greater Toronto Area   
• Focused on working with children, youth, and families  
• Based within the community being served, with a history of working with the community   
• Able to identify the specific team members who will deliver the proposed initiative   
• Have an annual operating budget of less than $500,000  

To ensure our granting reaches grassroots, community-driven initiatives, we are supporting organizations with annual revenues at or below $500,000.  

Applicants may request up to 10% of their organization’s annual revenue, to a maximum of $15,000.  

Applications close: December 17, 2025.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions