The Equity Stream Fund is a three-year initiative funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This program aims to strengthen the capacity of incorporated and unincorporated Grassroots Community Organizations (GCOs) led by and serving equity-seeking communities across Ontario.

OCASI is pleased to open its 2026-2027 Call for Proposals for the Equity Stream Fund: Investing in projects led by Grassroot Community Organizations (GCOs) to improve the well-being of equity-seeking communities across Ontario.

About the Equity Stream Fund Program:

The Equity Stream Fund is a three-year initiative funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This program aims to strengthen the capacity of incorporated and unincorporated Grassroots Community Organizations (GCOs) led by and serving equity-seeking communities across Ontario.

Through the Equity Stream Fund Program, OCASI serves as an intermediary to provide funding and capacity-building support to GCOs. This program specifically targets GCOs not currently funded by IRCC, reinforcing their vital role in Ontario’s immigrant and refugee-serving sector.

Investments made through the Equity Stream Fund extend beyond project funding. Grant recipients receive capacity building through training and opportunities for collaboration and networking.

Project Eligibility: Proposed projects under the Equity Stream Program must focus on enhancing the capacity of GCOs to serve immigrants, refugees, and equity-seeking communities in Ontario. Projects should address a community need/issue not currently funded by another source and align with one or both of the following focus areas:

1. Organizational Capacity Building – Strengthening internal systems to enhance participation in the settlement sector. 
2. Service Capacity Building – Increasing the capacity to deliver equitable, effective, and efficient services to equity-seeking communities.

Key Details

Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for funding, your organization/group must:

• Be an incorporated Grassroots Community Organization actively operating in Ontario for at least two consecutive years with an annual  budget of less than $1 million.
• Be an unincorporated Grassroots Community Organization actively operating in Ontario for at least two consecutive years with an annual budget of less than $1 million.

Funding Period:
Funding will be provided for projects running from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. 

Application Available in:
Applications can be submitted in either English or French.

How to Apply? 

• Review the CFP Program Guidelines for Incorporated or Unincorporated GCOs.

            Click HERE for CFP Program Guidelines for Incorporated GCOs

            Click HERE for CFP Program Guidelines for Unincorporated GCOs

• Register or sign into OCASI’s CFP Portal
• Click on the “Submit a Proposal” button
• Select “Incorporated” or “Unincorporated” Funding Stream under the Applications section on your dashboard.
• Complete the required fields in your application (do not forget to save your progress).

Click the “Save & Submit” button

Deadline:
Applications will be accepted until Friday, December 19 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Applications that are late or incomplete will not be considered.

Questions or concerns?
Email Yasin Samim or Isabella Hong at equityfund@ocasi.org

We look forward to your proposals to empower equity-seeking communities across Ontario!