Ontario Community Environment Fund
How not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, as well as First Nation and Métis organizations and communities can get government grants for local projects to help protect and restore the environment.
About the fund
The Ontario Community Environment Fund directs funds from environmental penalties to important, community-based activities like shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration and tree planting.
In 2023, we are making over $1.5 million available for local projects that aim to restore the environment.
By directing these funds to local projects in communities impacted by environmental violations, we are supporting healthy communities and protecting and preserving our land, air and water.
How it works
We may issue environmental penalties when either:
- industrial facilities don’t follow Ontario’s environmental rules
- a spill occurs
- an environmental impact occurs
- a flaring event occurs at a petroleum facility and the sulphur dioxide discharge limit is exceeded
The Ontario Community Environment Fund uses money collected from these penalties to support projects that improve the environment in the region(s) where the violation or environmental impact happened.
Projects that are eligible for support focus on:
- environmental restoration and remediation activities which repair environmental harm
- resilient communities and local solutions to environmental issues
We will evaluate applications for the respective project’s technical merit and potential to benefit the environment and community.
Who can apply
The fund is open to:
- First Nation and Métis communities and organizations
- schools, colleges and universities
- conservation foundations
- municipalities
- incorporated not-for-profit organizations
- incorporated community-based groups
Eligible regions and grant amounts
To qualify, your project must be based in a region where environmental penalties were collected. Check the interactive map and list below to confirm how much funding is available for your area.
Please type in your address and press the Search button to find out your MECP region:
| Region | 2023 grant amount |
|---|---|
| Southwest | $1,096,703.55 |
| West Central | $364,080.68 |
| Northern | $75,246.00 |
| Eastern | no funding available |
| Central | no funding available |
Eligible projects
Funding is available for two different kinds of environmental improvement projects. These include projects that focus on:
- Increasing environmental restoration and remediation activities which repair environmental harm. For example:
- planting trees, shrubs or plants to help mitigate and adapt to climate change
- rebuilding fish habitat and creating fish spawning beds
- stabilizing stream banks and creating buffer strips to reduce nutrient run-off
- restoring streams to improve habitat and water quality
- Resilient communities and local solutions to environmental issues. For example:
- improving the resilience of natural ecosystems by restoring wetlands and preserving areas of significant environmental and ecological importance
- installing rain gardens to reduce the risk of flooding and help communities adapt to climate change
- environmental monitoring that provides data to understand and support the protection and conservation of the natural environment.
The minimum funding request is $5,000.
How to apply
Step 1: review the application guide.
Step 2: all applications must be submitted electronically through Transfer Payment Ontario. Applicants must have a Transfer Payment Ontario account to apply.
Step 3: follow the guide and complete the application form through Transfer Payment Ontario.
Step 4: provide supporting documents. If you feel that the evaluation of your proposal would be improved by any of the following documents, please attach them to your application in Transfer Payment Ontario:
- detailed budget (Excel spreadsheet) including all project costs and funding sources – mandatory attachment
- a map or sketch of the project location
- signed letters from key organizations or individuals (such as, landowners, funders and project partners)
- organizational chart
- copies of required permits, approvals or permit applications
- a copy of your organization’s purchasing policy
- signed letter from First Nation community’s Chief and Council or a letter from the Band Administrator/Manager.
Questions
If you have any questions about the Ontario Community Environment Fund, you can:
Call the Public Information Centre:
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4923 TTY: 1-800-515-2759 (for people with hearing disabilities)
Contact the Ontario Community Environment Fund Project Manager:
For help and assistance with Transfer Payment Ontario contact the Transfer Payment Ontario Customer Service, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time) at:
Related links
Ontario Community Environment Fund 2021 recipients