Community Conservation Fund
Join us in supporting grassroots conservation projects through the Community Conservation Fund. By empowering local initiatives, we ensure the protection and enhancement of Ontario’s natural environments. Your contributions help foster community-led efforts that make a tangible impact on biodiversity and sustainability.
Empowering Local Conservation With the Community Conservation Fund
Sustaining Ontario’s Fish & Wildlife: OFAH’s Legacy of Support
Generations of dedicated volunteer conservationists have sustained Ontario’s fish, wildlife, and fishing and hunting traditions, and the OFAH Foundation proudly supports these efforts through the Community Conservation Fund.
Since 2022, the CCF has funded 53 projects across Ontario and in 2026 the application window is opening January 15th and will extend to March 15th at 11:59pm.
Application deadline is 11:59 PM on March 15, 2026
What Types of Projects are Funded?
Projects covered by the OFAH Community Conservation Fund can include specific fish and wildlife conservation projects, habitat restoration and protection, general conservation projects ranging from invasive species mitigation to nature-based approaches to addressing climate change, and education projects that teach conservation and biodiversity, or bring individuals outdoors to experience Ontario’s natural heritage.
Category
Description & Examples
Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Habitat Conservation
Education Programming
Ineligible Expenses
- Ongoing operational or administrative costs;
- Permanent staff positions;
- Emergency or deficit financing;
- Legal actions;
- Travel or meals for conferences and seminars;
- Volunteer Honorariums;
- General fundraising; and,
- Land acquisition.
Who Can Apply for Funding
Grassroots community actions for fish and wildlife has always been at the core of OFAH’s conservation efforts. Many OFAH-affiliated clubs and other community groups continue those traditions in Ontario, and this fund is intended to support their ongoing conservation efforts. If you are a club that is registered as a business, not-for-profit or charity, you can apply.
Where Does the Funding Come From?
The proceeds of OFAH Foundation’s Conservation Lotteries (e.g., Catch the Ace) and the generous donations of our supporters are used to fund the many OFAH conservation and outreach initiatives, including our work on fish and wildlife restoration programs, invading species, habitat restoration, and education programs. Some of the lottery proceeds and donations are earmarked to support community conservation efforts.
In the past, many OFAH-affiliated clubs helped to sell tickets for our Conservation Lottery and those efforts would result in part of those proceeds being returned to them for their local conservation efforts. As the traditional paper-based lottery evolved into the online charitable gaming that we know today, we wanted to find a way to continue to have a portion of our lottery proceeds support these community efforts. This will occur through the OFAH Foundation Community Conservation Fund.
Application deadline is 11:59 PM on March 15, 2026
2025 Community Conservation Fund Grants
2025 South Simcoe Streams Network
Upper Nottawasaga River Realignment Project
South Simcoe Streams Network
(A Program under Nottawasaga Community Economic Development Corporation aka Nottawasaga Futures)
Blue Jay Creek Site B29 Restoration
Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association
Chatham Kent Lambton Childrens Water Festival
Lower Thames Conservation Authority
Clean Up Barrie’s Creeks (Part 2)
Clean Up Barrie
Community Stream Habitat Rehabilitation Project 2025
Ontario Streams
George Langman Wildlife Sanctuary Rehabilitation Project
The Orillia Fish And Game Conservation Club
Lake Scugog Fish Spawning Shoals Restoration Project
Kawartha Conservation
Muster to the Marsh: Collabourative Invasive Species Control at Hullett Marsh
Friends of Hullett
Passport to Nature
Kawartha Land Trust
Restoring Critical Lake Trout and Walleye Spawning Habitat in Eastern and Central Ontario
Watersheds Canada
Stabilization of Depot Creek
Greater Nipissing Stewardship Council
Youth Archery Experience Program
Port Colborne and District Conservation Club
Act Now for Conservation
Join our mission to protect and enhance Ontario’s natural environments. Your support through donations, pledges, volunteering, or partnerships drives crucial conservation work.
