OCASI’s Equity Stream Fund Program:
Call for Proposals

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

About OCASI

OCASI is the umbrella organization for immigrant and refugee-serving agencies in Ontario, and the collective voice of the sector. The Council was established in 1978 and now has over 255 member agencies across Ontario. OCASI champions equity and human rights for immigrants and refugees through advocacy, collective action, collaborative planning, research, capacity building, and information and knowledge transfer.

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 seeks to strengthen the capacity of incorporated and unincorporated grassroots community organizations led by and serving equity-seeking communities across Ontario.

The Equity Stream Fund Program enables OCASI to strengthen the capacity of Grassroots Community Organizations (GCOs) — particularly those outside IRCC’s current funding streams — ensuring they can actively contribute to Ontario’s refugee and immigrant-serving sector.

Through this program, OCASI will act as intermediary to distribute funding and support lower-capacity, grassroots community organizations that serve and are led by equity- seeking populations, in order to enhance these organizations' participation in the settlement and integration of migrants, women, youth, LGBTQI+, black and other racialized groups, newcomers, seniors, persons with disabilities and other diverse communities.

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

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Distribute funding to incorporated and unincorporated GCOs in Ontario.
• Facilitate organizational and service capacity building through training and resources.
• Promote community engagement by equipping the immigrant and refugee- serving sector with tools and curricula to empower newcomers in shaping their communities.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization / group must be:

• Incorporated Grassroots Community Organizations actively operating in Ontario for at leat two consecutive years with an annual operational budget of less than $1 million. 
• Unincorporated Grassroots Community Organizations actively operating in Ontario for at least two consecutive years with an annual operational budget of less than $1 million.  

CFP Guidelines

Applicants are advised to read the Guidelines carefully, prior to completing and submitting an application

• Click HERE for CFP Program Guidelines for Incorporated GCOs (2026-2027)

• Click HERE for CFP Program Guidelines for Unincorporated GCOs (2026-2027)

How to Apply

1. Read the CFP Program Guidelines
2. Register or sign into OCASI’s CFP Portal
3. Click on the Submit a Proposal button in the navigation bar at the top of the page, or click here to get started
4. Select the English or French link for the Call for Proposal application.
5. Select “Incorporated” or “Unincorporated” Funding Stream under the Applications section on your dashboard.
6. Complete the required fields in the application (do not forget to save your progress).
7. Click the “Save and Submit” button

The CFP application period is open from November 10 – December 19, 2025. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, December 19, 2025 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications that are late or incomplete will not be considered.

Information Sessions

OCASI will host two virtual information sessions to provide information on the CFP process and address applicant questions:

• Session 1: Monday, November 17, 2025, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (English and French)      Register here
• Session 2: Monday, December 1, 2025, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (English and French)        Register here

Questions and answers related to this Call for Proposal will be posted on the Equity Fund Program Q&A section.

For additional inquiries, contact Yasin Samim – Senior Program Coordinator or Isabella Hong – Grant Administrator at equityfund@ocasi.org