This special 2025 initiative is made possible through targeted funding from the Ottawa Community Foundation and is exclusively dedicated to programs that benefit older adults living in long-term care homes in Ottawa. The foundation seeks bold and creative proposals that bring joy, foster social connection, and meaningfully reduce loneliness, encouraging collaboration between care homes and community organizations to make life in those settings more vibrant.

Funding of up to $6,000 per project is available through this call. The foundation aims to support initiatives that demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and impact, while ensuring that as many care homes as possible can benefit from the grants.

Applications are welcome from groups interested in creating initiatives that bring joy and social connection to older adults living in long-term care homes in Ottawa. Organizations recognized as qualified donees under Canadian law may receive direct funding; others can apply and, if selected, will work under a funding agreement to outline shared goals, though this may delay the transfer of funds. Preference is given to organizations not funded in the foundation’s September 2024 call, and projects already supported then are not eligible.

Applicants should aim for innovation, feasibility, and meaningful partnerships, considering inclusion of collaborators such as community partners or even residents themselves. Grants will not support fundraising events, partisan political or religious activities, individual recipients, sponsorships, deficit reduction, or equipment purchases for administrative purposes unrelated to the proposed program.

Each application will be vetted by a Grant Committee of the foundation, with recommendations forwarded to the Board for final approval. The foundation maintains full discretion over which applications are approved, as it carries the responsibility of stewarding donor funds ethically and effectively.

Key dates include the launch on August 7, 2025, the submission deadline on September 19, 2025, decision notifications on October 17, 2025, and expected fund transfers by October 31, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Successful grantees must provide progress updates at six months and at the end of the project, acknowledge the foundation and donor in any communications or presentations, allow for public sharing of their project details, and potentially accommodate visits from foundation staff or contractors to assess progress.

For more information, visit Miroir Foundation.