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 41 projects across Ontario and in 2025 the application window is opening in mid-January and will extend to March 16th at 11:59pm.
Please note there have been changes to the Community Conservation Fund and projects related to direct fishing and hunting activities, such as youth fishing derbies, hunter mentoring, and building accessible hunting and fishing infrastructure, are now funded through OFAH Membership’s Community Projects Fund.
Please note projects may only apply to one of the OFAH Membership Community Projects Fund (CPF) or the OFAH Foundation Community Conservation Fund (CCF).
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.
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.
