2022 Call for Proposals Now Open.

Important Deadline: September 21, 2022

Our Funding Program

Ontario’s Greenbelt and its unique landscapes include near-urban agricultural lands and Ontario’s only two specialty crop areas with fertile soils and unique climate—the Holland Marsh and Niagara Tender Fruit and Grape Area, the Niagara Escarpment, Oak Ridges Moraine, and important regional water systems, including 21 urban river valleys. The Greenbelt receives consistent support from a large majority of the public, inspiring excellence in how we live, plan and grow.

The Greenbelt Foundation champions Ontario’s Greenbelt. Our Prosperous Greenbelt and Resilient Greenbelt funding streams invest in projects that protect the Greenbelt and increase environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits, enhance the health of the Greenbelt’s natural and agricultural systems, support farmers, and foster a sustainable rural economy.  

Call for Proposals

We are accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for our 2022 Fall Grant Round. LOIs are due by 5 p.m. on September 21, 2022. We encourage you to contact the Foundation staff to discuss your proposal prior to submitting a funding request. Contact information is included below. Our funding guidelines outline objectives for the Prosperous and Resilient Greenbelt grant streams. Below, we have also highlighted current priorities that address key challenges facing the region and local communities:

• Pandemic recovery through supporting tourism industry partnerships, collaborations and training that create and enrich Greenbelt outdoor recreation, and agri-food, culinary and Indigenous-led experiences that boost the rural economy and support rural jobs.
• Strengthening Greenbelt agricultural and its local food systems with a focus on the fruit and vegetable sector to promote jobs and rural vitality.
• Engaging community members to increase awareness and understanding of Greenbelt benefits to the region while inspiring actions that steward the Greenbelt and engage community leaders, including reducing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change.

Building Relationships

The Greenbelt Foundation values the efforts of a broad range of stakeholders and community partners to enhance the Greenbelt. Collaborations across the Greenbelt geography are encouraged to strengthen the impact and reach of projects across the landscape and in communities within and adjacent to the Greenbelt.

The Foundation is committed to strengthening our relationships with local Indigenous Peoples and acknowledge and respect the strong cultural ties to the Greenbelt’s agriculture, water and natural landscapes. The Foundation supports providing capacity to honour Indigenous Knowledge Systems and the building of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations to protect and enhance the Greenbelt and its rural economies.

We also encourage projects that support the interests and engagement of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities. Cross-sector collaborations are encouraged and diversity, equity and inclusion goals for projects should be clearly stated. The Foundation also supports collaborative learning-frameworks and strategies that advance efforts to create meaningful equity.

Public Health Precautions

The Foundation will continue to want to ensure that appropriate COVID-19 public health precautions are in place for any funded in-person engagement and events into 2023. Any in-person events will be dependent on COVID-19 health and safety restrictions.

Funding Streams and 2022 Grant Round Deadlines

Prosperous Greenbelt supports sustainable agricultural and rural vitality in the Greenbelt.

Supporting pandemic recovery and the rural economy through tourism sector partnerships and training opportunities to create enhanced Greenbelt experiences, including hiking, biking, agri-food and culinary experiences, and Indigenous cultural and learning experiences. Projects also support greater access to nature, boosting rural, agricultural and Indigenous economies, and increasing public awareness of the Greenbelt and its benefits. Projects should focus on: enhancing Greenbelt tourism experiences through collaborations or training, enhancing authentic Indigenous experiences; increasing promotions, reaching new audiences including Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities; and offering experiences during off-peak hours, days of the week or seasons.

Promoting greater understanding of the Greenbelt’s agriculture economy and its unique advantages and benefits is vital to the region’s rural economies. Including the Greenbelt’s designated Speciality Crop Areas, projects preserve and strengthen the sustainability of local fruit and vegetable growers and the local food system, and consider opportunities to increase protection and production. Projects also increase understanding and address trends that will prepare Greenbelt farmers for the future, such as climate resilient varieties and soil health. Projects should focus on: strategies to sustain and increase fruit and vegetable growers and production, building and maintaining relationships with farmers to recognize their needs and economic opportunities in the Greenbelt, and increasing understanding of Greenbelt farmland productivity trends.

Resilient Greenbelt works with nature to increase regional resilience and the public benefits provided by the Greenbelt.

The Greenbelt is one of our greatest resources in shaping sustainable, resilient and vibrant communities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Increasing awareness about the benefits provided by the Greenbelt, and supporting Indigenous and community engagement activities to inspire ideas and actions to steward the Greenbelt and lead change to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to climate change. Projects should focus on: education, community engagement, cultural practices, and building connections with local decision-makers, including online engagements through podcasts, webinars, blogs, social media forums and other digital tools.

Restoring and enhancing the health of Greenbelt’s natural assets, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, healthy soils, rivers and lakes can enhance public greenspace, increase the region’s resilience to climate change and support adaptation. Major risks to manage include reducing stormwater runoff and flooding, protecting water quality/quantity and enhancing cooling effects. Projects should focus on: designing natural infrastructure projects, including modelling to determine restoration actions and adaption impacts, and planning to identify and quantify co-benefits. Further recognition will be given to projects that support water resource systems, including the Oak Ridges Moraine, Indigenous cultural practices, and biodiversity by increasing ecological connectivity and reducing habitat fragmentation. For project examples, visit The Economic Case for Natural Infrastructure.

Submission Process

STEP 1: Review our Grant Guidelines and FAQs.

STEP 2: Complete an eligibility quiz on the grant portal to be able to register.

STEP 3: Register your organization on the grant portal.

STEP 4: You will receive a confirmation of your registration and invitation to submit an application within 2 business days.

STEP 5: Submit your application through the grant portal.

STEP 6: Foundation staff will contact you with the decision regarding your proposal.