Community
The Community program aims to improve the lives of residents of the Communauté Metropolitaine de Montréal (including Kahnawá:ke and Kanehsatà:ke) through two distinct, yet complementary granting streams: Newcomer Rights and Wellbeing and Affordable Housing.
Across both Newcomer Rights and Wellbeing and Affordable Housing, we fund:
Primarily, direct services delivered to impacted communities in the Communauté Metropolitaine de Montréal.
In addition, Quebec-wide or national initiatives that foster collaboration and conduct policy advocacy, mobilization or research that may lead to beneficial policy or systems-level change for impacted communities in Montreal.
Projects do not need to address both streams, nor do they need to connect to TFF’s other program areas (such as climate or health). Each stream is assessed on its own objectives and priorities.
Newcomer rights and wellbeing
This granting stream works to strengthen the ability of community organizations to provide direct services that support the rights and wellbeing of newcomers in Communauté Metropolitaine de Montréal.
Funding is available to organizations and networks working with newcomers of all immigration statuses, including immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, people who are undocumented or non-status, individuals with temporary or precarious legal status, and those displaced by climate or environmental factors.
What we have funded recently
Direct services in the Montreal area
Legal information, legal aid, and “know your rights” services
Distribution of essential goods and basic needs support
Assistance navigating public institutions, social services, and professional accreditation or employment pathways.
Quebec-wide or national initiatives with relevance to Montreal communities
Capacity building for collaborative networks representing newcomer populations or issues.
Policy advocacy and systems-change efforts
Public education, communications, or narrative-change campaigns that improve understanding of newcomer realities and rights.
What we do not fund:
Cultural or recreational integration activities (e.g., arts, sports, or nature-based programming as the primary focus).
Food banks or general food distribution programs as a primary focus.
Direct services delivered primarily outside the Montreal metropolitan area.
Organizations where newcomers are not the primary population served.
Housing affordability
This granting stream works to strengthen the ability of housing organizations and networks to advance affordable housing policy advocacy and to provide services to low-income individuals and families in the Communauté Metropolitaine de Montréal (including Kahnawá:ke & Kanehsatà:ke).
Our housing approach is increasingly focused on:
Tenant rights, support, and advocacy
Development and preservation of non-market housing, such as social housing, co-operatives, non-profit housing organisations, community land trusts, and HLMs
What we have funded recently:
Direct services in the Montreal area
Legal aid and tenant support, rights education, eviction prevention and mobilization
Non-profit organizations negotiating lower rents on behalf of tenants in exchange for providing wrap-around services (e.g., case management, support navigating systems)
Early-stage catalytic support for non-market housing projects — small to medium grants to help launch or unblock local projects (e.g., feasibility studies, architectural renderings, government relations support, or specialized consultants)
Quebec-wide or national initiatives with relevance to Montreal communities
Support for tenant unionization and collaboration between tenant unions
Policy or budget advocacy to advance housing affordability
Support for the development of land with high potential for redevelopment into affordable housing.
Policy advocacy to increase the supply and protection of affordable and non-market housing
Policy advocacy for housing as a human right
Sector collaboration and capacity building among housing organizations and coalitions
Research, data, or public communications that inform policy or strengthen collective action on affordability
What we do not fund
Emergency or short-term shelter and homelessness services
Short-term transitional or supportive housing services
Private homeownership affordability – we prioritize rental and non-market housing rather than initiatives focused on purchasing private homes.
Building repairs or safety compliance as the primary objective – while improvements to living conditions are welcome co-benefits.
Projects where housing affordability is not the core focus – co-benefits related to climate, health, or newcomer wellbeing are welcome, but affordability must remain central.
Granting Approach
The majority of funding from this program is delivered through proactive granting. In this approach, TFF staff identify key gaps and systemic barriers affecting newcomers and housing affordability, and then seek out partners to develop, scale, or strengthen solutions with the potential for meaningful and lasting impact.
A limited number of reactive grants are available for organizations proposing initiatives that align with the program’s focus areas.
To apply for Community funding, please read our Apply for Funding and FAQ page and then apply via our online portal.
International
This granting stream supports a small number of registered Canadian charities that provide international development and crisis response services. Grants in this stream consist of multi-year flexible operational funding to support organizations to more effectively engage in long-term, impactful work.
Funds for international organizations are limited, and as such, six organizations have already been selected to receive funding until 2029. They are:
Doctors Without Borders
The Equality Fund
Myriad Canada Foundation
Oxfam Québec
Partners in Health Canada
The Canadian Red Cross Society
We are not currently accepting funding applications under this granting stream.