Applying for a grant: what you need to know
This call is now open.
The Law Foundation of Ontario’s Catalyst program provides established nonprofit organizations that are working to advance access to justice in Ontario with core operating (organizational and program) funding to improve their ability to deliver programs and services, and to respond to emerging needs. Through this open call, the Foundation will select a group of grantees to receive 3-year grants.
In selecting grantees, the Foundation is looking to support a mix of activities, e.g. research, services, and programs that serve the interests and needs of diverse communities across the province.
Before applying, please review the criteria and the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below.
The Foundation is unable to support the cost of legal fees related to the litigation of a specific legal matter or the costs directly related to lobbying, advocating, or promoting a particular position on a legal or public policy issue to any level of government. When considering if the costs of an activity are eligible, we focus on the primary purpose of the activity: will the activity advance or challenge a particular legal position, e.g. a position in a legal dispute or regarding the validity of a specific law, or a particular policy or decision of a government? If yes, then the expenses related to that activity are not eligible for support from The Law Foundation of Ontario.
Essential organization criteria:
- The applicant’s vision, mission, and values must substantially align with the Foundation’s vision, mission, and values (including a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion).
- The applicant’s core work must advance access to justice for the people of Ontario through information or services that help people understand the law and use it to improve their lives.
- The applicant must have appropriate legal expertise and experience working in the area(s) for which funding is being requested.
- The applicant should have knowledge of and demonstrated experience working with other leading organizations in the nonprofit justice sector.
- The applicant must be governed by a Board of Directors with the required skills and expertise to oversee the organization.
- The applicant must demonstrate sound fiscal management (as reflected in audited financial statements).
- The applicant should have, or plan to have, diverse revenue sources.
Essential application criteria:
- Application should explain how funded activities respond to community legal needs and priorities, and identify appropriate community support and involvement.
- Application should demonstrate how results will be measured to determine impact.
- Application should clearly outline how grant funds will be used.
Additional considerations:
- Whether the applicant has successfully completed a prior grant funded by the Foundation.
- Whether the proposed activities support a group or groups that have experienced injustice or inequity, e.g. exclusion or barriers in society, past or current.
- Whether the proposed activities are delivered in both official languages, and in other languages relevant to the population being served.
Grants are available for up to $1,000,000 to be spent over a period of 3 years, covering the period from September 2025 to August 2028.
Grant funding should not exceed 80% of an organization’s annual operating budget. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a persuasive business case for the amount of funding requested.
All interested organizations are invited to complete the following eligibility screening. The due date to submit the Eligibility Screening is February 28, 2025, by 5 p.m. EST. Please send your completed Eligibility Screening form to grants@lawfoundation.on.ca
Only those deemed eligible by Foundation staff will then be invited to submit an application by late April 2025. In the application, applicants will be asked to provide details regarding:
- The activities, programs and/or services that would be supported by a grant over the next 3 years
- The legal needs your work would address
- How you would use the funding
- The intended impact of your work
Each application will be carefully considered. As part of our review process, Foundation staff will contact applicants to discuss the details of the application. Final granting decisions will be made by mid-2025.
- Review the program criteria.
- Read the FAQ below.
- Read the Eligibility Screening.
For more information, please email grants@lawfoundation.on.ca.
Frequently asked questions
Eligibility to apply
Any group may apply for a grant, but only a registered charity, a nonprofit, a university or community college, or an Indigenous organization can receive a grant.
Eligible organizations must be governed by an independent board of directors and meet the additional eligibility set out in the Catalyst call for applications.
A project can benefit either a single geographic community or several – what matters is that a benefit is provided somewhere in the province.
No. An organization can serve a particular community or group or the general public.
Yes. Organizations based outside Ontario can apply to the Foundation for a grant if it benefits people in Ontario.
LAO funded clinics are not eligible to apply for this current Catalyst call.
All Ontario law schools receive significant funding through The Law Foundation of Ontario’s Comprehensive grants program. Law schools and/or programs that are associated with law faculties should contact the Foundation to discuss their ideas early in the process. While we are open to receiving these applications, we will consider them in light of the funding the Foundation already provides to the law schools.
Funding available
Yes, applications should be for a maximum of $1,000,000, and should be spread over a 3-year period.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a persuasive business case for the funding requested: it should support known or projected costs that are not otherwise funded, and include annual increases, if applicable.
Grant funding should not exceed 80% of an organization’s annual operating budget.
No. Applications from any area of the province are welcome.
No.
Yes, current Responsive grantees can apply if they meet the eligibility requirements, however a Responsive grant and Catalyst grant cannot run concurrently. Therefore, your Responsive grant will need to be converted into a Catalyst grant, if appropriate, or it must end before a new Catalyst grant begins. We encourage you to speak with your Grants Manager to determine how best to proceed.
Eligible activities and expenses
Yes. Catalyst funding may be used to cover program costs and a portion of those core operating costs related to the access to justice activities of your organization.
Yes, but the Foundation’s funds cannot be used for these activities since the Foundation does not fund costs directly related to lobbying, advocating, or promoting a particular position on a legal or public policy issue. When considering if the costs of an activity are eligible, we focus on the specific purpose of the activity: is the purpose of the activity to advance or challenge a particular legal position, e.g. a position in a legal case or regarding the validity of a specific law, or a particular policy or decision of a government? If yes, then the expenses related to that activity are not eligible for support from The Law Foundation of Ontario.
Catalyst provides core funding. As such, funding may be used to purchase capital expenditures, such as computers and furniture. The cost of these purchases should be reasonable and directly connected to the access to justice activities. We will not fund capital expenditures for immoveable assets (i.e. buildings).
The budget you submit with your application should include the time period aligned with the Catalyst program’s funding schedule.
After submitting your application
Once you submit an Eligibility Screening, your application will be assigned to staff for review. If deemed eligible, you will then be invited to submit an application. Upon reviewing this, a Grants Manager will contact you within 30 business days to discuss your application, and may ask questions including requests for additional information or clarifications.
It is the responsibility of applicants to respond to all inquiries by Foundation staff in a timely manner. Please ensure that if, for whatever reason, the primary contact responsible for the application is unavailable, that an alternative contact is available to respond.
All grant applications must be thoroughly reviewed by staff before being considered by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The time required for this may vary based on the number and complexity of applications we receive. We aim to provide all applicants with a decision by mid-2025.
After a grant is approved
You will be asked to provide the Foundation with banking information and to review and sign a standard Letter of Agreement (LOA), which may also have special conditions attached that are specific to your grant. Grants are paid in instalments, normally by direct deposit. In general, the first instalment of your grant will be paid within one month after we receive your signed LOA. Subsequent payments are conditional on satisfactory reporting. The LOA will contain a schedule of agreed upon dates for reporting and payments. Grantees will receive reporting guidelines well ahead of the due date for reports.
If your grant is approved, a payment schedule is developed taking into consideration the information you provided in the workplan submitted as part of the grant application. In general, the Foundation makes payments in advance, in accordance with each grantee’s needs, and subject to any special conditions being met.
