Thinking about applying for a grant  How long does the application take to complete? This can depend on a variety of factors such as the size and type of the project, the amount of the request and whether the organization is a first-time applicant. But according to our most recent applicant survey, half of applicants took 35 hours or less to complete their application. With the introduction of our new simplified application process, we expect this time to be significantly lower for small capital requests. What is the maximum grant my organization can apply for? It’s often more useful to think in terms of applying for what your organization needs rather than applying for the maximum. Because competition for OTF grants is high, it’s extremely rare to be granted the maximum amount. Please contact your local Program Manager or Grants Associate to discuss what size of request would be reasonable in your area. How competitive is the application process? It’s becoming increasingly competitive. Over the past four years, demand for OTF funding has increased every year. In 2005-2006, we received over 3,000 applications, of which fewer than 1,500 received a grant. For every dollar we had available to grant, we received over $3.50 in requests. With this increased competition for granting dollars, what are the chances of my application being funded? We were able to fund about half of the applications submitted in 2005-2006. Given the competition for OTF funding, please contact your local Program Manager or Grants Associate to discuss your initiative before you apply. Applicants tell us that the advice they receive from OTF staff is extremely helpful. Why are some applications declined? The competition for OTF grants is very high. The decision to fund all or part of a grant request is directly related to:   • Demand for funds in each granting round   • Funds available per catchment area and sub-catchment area   • Local community needs, provincial priorities and granting strategies   • How well the request fits with OTF funding priorities and assessment criteria Being declined is therefore not necessarily a negative reflection of the organization or the application, but rather an indication that other applications were stronger and a closer fit with OTF priorities. Back to Frequently Asked Questions