Planting the Seeds for Growth: Why the OTF Seed Grant Could Be the Perfect Fit for Your Organization

Jul 16, 2025

 

If you’re an Ontario-based nonprofit with big ideas and limited capacity, this could be the golden ticket to deepening your impact. 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Seed Grant opens on July 23rd and is one of the most flexible and capacity-focused funding streams available to nonprofit organizations in Ontario.

Here’s everything you need to know about this funding opportunity – and how to tell if it’s right for your organization.

What is the OTF Seed Grant?

The OTF Seed Grant help...

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10 Summer Reads from the Fundraising Lab's Resident Book Dragon

Jul 02, 2025
 
Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

As the Fundraising Lab’s resident librarian and book dragon (yes, I voraciously consume and hoard books in equal measure), I thought I’d pop in to share a few of my recent reads. Whether you're soaking up the sun on your patio, escaping the heat with a chilled drink indoors, or sneaking in a few chapters between Zoom calls (I won’t tell), this summer's book stack is packed with stories that move, challenge, and charm. 

From heart-wrenching tr...

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3 Smart Data Moves to Boost Your Fundraising This Summer

Jun 16, 2025

What savvy nonprofits are doing now to win fall fundraising. 

Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

Summer might feel slower than your usual year-end sprint (if “slow” even exists in nonprofit life), but smart fundraising teams know it’s the perfect time to get organized, make strategic updates, and set themselves up for success. With a bit of focus now, you can build cleaner systems, improve your reporting, and strengthen donor relationships - all before the fall rush begins.  

...
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Outgrowing Your CRM? Here's How to Switch Without the Stress

Jun 09, 2025

If you're a nonprofit leader or fundraiser feeling like your current donor database just isn't cutting it anymore, you're not alone.

Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

It's the never-ending story for fundraisers and Executive Directors - systems that once seemed like a good fit now feel clunky, limited, or just plain frustrating.

But here's the good news: transitioning to a new donor management system doesn't have to be overwhelming.

Why Consider Moving On?

Most nonprofits sta...

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This Valentine’s Day it's time to swap out the candy hearts...

Feb 13, 2025

If your donor database is more “it’s complicated” than “true love,” you’re not alone.  

Many organizations struggle with poorly configured systems that prevent them from accessing the valuable insights hidden within. 

But here’s the good news: you can improve your relationship with your data. With a little attention and the right strategy, you can ensure your database is serving you in the best way possible.  

Here are five ways to get back on track and build a stronger connection with your...

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Is Your Donor Data Safe? What You Need to Know About Cloud Storage and Compliance 

Jan 20, 2025

 Written by Erin Boyce: Data and Digital Director

Canadian charities often store sensitive donor information in databases, and many of these databases are cloud-based. But not all cloud systems store this data on Canadian servers. So, do you know where your donor data is being stored? 

What Is the Cloud? 

The “cloud” means storing data on remote servers that can be accessed through the internet. Cloud computing helps Canadian charities by making it easier and cheaper to store and access d...

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The Capital Grant Application: building value for your organization.

Jan 15, 2025

 

Now that the visions of sugarplums have subsided your thoughts have likely turned to this new leaf of 2025. And if you are an Ontario based charity your thoughts are likely drifting to the OTF Capital Grant and assessing if you can pull an award-worthy application together.  

Before we look at best practices for a capital funds application it might be a good idea to define 'capital funding'. A capital campaign, capital grant, or capital funding is a way for organizations, typically nonpr...

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OTF Capital Grant opens Feb 5th - Hands Up for help!

Dec 16, 2024

 

If you’re like me, you are probably half-way checked out for the holiday season. But it is definitely not too early to be thinking about your Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital Grant strategy. (NOTE: this is for Ontario-based charities only.)

The OTF Capital Grant fund opens Feb 5 - March 5th   

In the Capital grant stream, OTF funds projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment so people and communities can thrive.

The Fundraisin...
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It's 'THAT' Time of the Year

Dec 12, 2024
 
 
Can you believe it’s almost the end of 2024? Year-end receipting will be at the top of the “to-do” list before we know it! Here’s some receipting reminders - 

3 Important Facts about Year-End receipting for Canadian Charities: 

  1. The date of donation is the date the charity receives the gift. In the case of mailed donations, the date of the postmark on the envelope is considered the date of the donation. Keep stamped envelopes at year end for you...
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If you are serious about fundraising a database isn't optional – it's essential.

Nov 18, 2024

The most valuable asset any fund development operation has is the accuracy of its data and the ability to analyze it. A well-configured database can be used to help analyze past fundraising campaigns, calculate benchmarks and metrics, track comprehensive donor history and issue financial reports (including reports to reconcile with your financial system) and issue charitable tax receipts.  

It can also be used to help streamline stewardship, such as tracking who must be thanked and who should...

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