Grassroots Growth Initiative
The Grassroots Growth Initiative (GGI) provides funding for projects that support one or more of its objectives, such as increasing public engagement and support for agriculture, local food and rural development, and building youth leadership and involvement in the agri-food sector. Corporations, partnerships, sole proprietors and unincorporated associations, including an Indigenous community or band council, may apply.
Offered by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Amount
Up to 50% of eligible project costs
Up to 50% of eligible project costs for projects up to $100,000 in cost-share funding (targeted local marketing projects of provincial agri-food producer organizations, from $1 million allocated annually); other GGI projects: amount requested, a reduced amount or none, depending on funding availability and project assessment
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding under the GGI, an applicant must:
- be a corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, or unincorporated association, including an Indigenous community or band council
- have the authority to enter into a legal agreement
- disclose all other possible sources of funding being provided or having been requested for the project
- be in compliance with all requirements of law and agree to remain in compliance for the term of the agreement
Requirements of law means all applicable statutes, regulations, bylaws, ordinances, codes, official plans, rules, approvals, permits, licences, authorizations, orders, decrees, injunction, directions and agreements with all authorities that now or at any time hereafter may relate to the applicant, the project or both.
Project eligibility
Eligible projects must support 1 or more of the following objectives:
- increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food and rural development
- build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement in the agri-food sector
- enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector
- strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
- encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes
Financial capacity
Applicants must have a financial capacity at the time of application to successfully undertake and cash flow the proposed project, should the project be approved for funding.
Governance
Applicants must have governance and control structures in place to successfully manage and complete the project, including to manage the funds provided by the province prudently and effectively, and deliver on project objectives.
Targeted, cost-shared local marketing projects
Eligibility
Provincial agri-food producer organizations must:
- meet the general eligibility requirements
- only have 1 active targeted, cost-shared marketing project at a time
Not eligible:
Ineligible projects
do not support at least one of the GGI objectives
which as a whole or in part are eligible under an active Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) intake or a publicized regular OMAFRA funding program
are to the sole benefit of a for-profit organization
have the sole purpose of bringing the applicant’s operations into compliance with requirements of law
have activities that cannot be carried out by the applicant without the direct involvement of the Province of Ontario’s staff
involve directly influencing and/or lobbying any level of government
support normal operating costs of organizations/businesses and/or commercial expansion
are already receiving 100% in total funding from other sources towards the project, including other government and non-government sources
About the funding
Cost-share funding is strongly encouraged for all projects. It is a requirement for provincial agri-food producer organization local marketing projects.
Applicants that demonstrate financial support from other sources, particularly confirmed financial support (such as partners, industry, consortiums or other non-provincial government sources), to amplify the impact of potential funding, will receive additional merit consideration during the assessment phase.
Funding may be provided at the amount requested, at a reduced amount or not at all, depending on funding availability and project assessment.
Stacking of funding
Show all funding details
An individual project can only receive a single allocation of GGI funding. You cannot stack funding from 1 or more applicants towards the same project.
Funding from federal government programs can be used toward project costs, assuming it is permitted under applicable federal programs. Combined federal and provincial funding cannot exceed 100% of the project's eligible costs.
The applicant must declare all possible sources of funds at the time of the application, including any other government funding received and applications that have been submitted or are intended to be submitted for funding. Failure to disclose all funding or possible funding sources may result in the termination of the application or agreement.
Multi-year funding
Multi-year funding may be available. Multi-year requests must include a rationale. The applicant must clearly forecast the budget and activities for each year of the project within the application.
OMAFRA has allocated $1 million annually in funding to support provincial agri-food producer organizations with their local marketing focused projects.
Unless indicated otherwise in these guidelines, all other terms and conditions also apply to targeted, cost-shared local marketing projects.
Funding
Eligible provincial agri-food producer organizations may request up to 50% of eligible project costs for projects up to $100,000 in cost-share funding.
Projects that support more than one commodity may request additional funding, but not more than 50% of total eligible costs.
Funding may be provided at the amount requested, at a reduced amount or not at all, depending on funding availability and project assessment.
Project payment(s) set out in the agreement will be made based on project progress and reporting. No payments will be made until the agreement has been signed and all conditions have been fulfilled.
Eligible costs that are eligible for funding under the GGI are direct costs that are, in the province’s sole and absolute discretion, properly and reasonably incurred, paid or reimbursed by the applicant and are necessary for the successful completion of the project.
Costs are only eligible if they are incurred by the applicant after the project has been approved by OMAFRA and before or on the project completion date, as identified in the agreement. Any costs incurred by an applicant prior to entering into the agreement are at an applicant’s own risk as these costs may not conform to the agreement’s terms and conditions, and may accordingly be ineligible for reimbursement.
When incurring costs, applicants will be expected to follow a process that is transparent, fair and promotes the best value for money expended. When purchasing goods and services for the project, prices must be competitive and no greater than the fair market value after deducting any discounts available to the applicant. All businesses from which goods or services are purchased must be from a third-party at arm's length to the applicant as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada).
Eligible costs are incremental costs that are necessary for the implementation and completion of a project, including:
- cost for purchase or rental of goods (including equipment, machinery, supplies) and related shipping and installation costs. Capital costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis but should be minimal and rationale for why they are necessary must be provided.
- direct staff salaries and benefits (excluding severance). Costs must be pro-rated to reflect the amount of time spent working directly on the project.
- third-party service costs (for example, specific per diem fees). Third-party service costs must be pro-rated to reflect the amount of time spent working directly on the project. The applicant must set out specifically what the costs are for (for example, translation costs, cost of one web developer, printing costs).
- costs of land rental for research purposes
- costs of rental of facilities
- travel and meal costs will be considered on a case-by case basis but should be minimal and must be essential for the project to be successful. Meal costs must be for restaurant/prepared food and cannot include alcohol.
Capital costs include costs of:
- machinery, equipment and installation
- software development including implementation and customization
- information technology equipment, including:
- installation
- renovations
- site improvements
- leasehold improvements
- building improvements
- construction
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP) – Business Projects | Loan, Grant | Performance-based loan of up to a maximum of 30% of eligible project costs (forgivable portion to a maximum of 50% of the loan amount) | Open |
| Ontario Together Trade Fund | Grant, Loan | Up to $5 million | Open |
| Regional Development Program: Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness Stream | Grant, Loan | Up to 15% of eligible project costs | Open |
| Exhibition Assistance | Grant | Up to $2,000 | Open |
