Capacity-Building Grants for Family Support Networks

The 2026-27 Call for Applications Is Now Open! 

The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) provides grants to Family Support Networks (FSNs) in Ontario – peer-based groups for family members and other unpaid caregivers who are supporting adults living with developmental disabilities. This program is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).

The grant program aims to make it easier for families and caregivers to find peer support in their community, share information, and build connections for their own wellbeing and the people for whom they provide care.  These capacity-building grants are intended to support, strengthen, and expand Family Support Networks across the province.

See the Guidelines and the Application Form for more information.

Application Deadline: 4:00pm, March 13, 2026

Virtual Information Sessions: Applicants are encouraged to join an information session (online – Zoom) offered on two dates:

Thursday, February 19th, 2026 @ 12:00 p.m. 
Join Zoom Meeting
2026-27 FSN Grant Information Session # 1
Meeting ID: 858 0019 4847
Passcode: 1FSN2026

Thursday, March 5th, 2026 @ 6:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
2026-27 FSN Grant Information Session # 2
Meeting ID: 857 1317 4312
Passcode: 2FSN2026

Questions about the grant process? Ask by email.

Ask by Email

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on OCO activities, including the next call for grant applications.

Partners for Planning offers a map of Family Support Networks in Ontario. Find a Family Support Network in your community by clicking here.

Information About the 2026-2027 Application Process

Who can Apply?

Are you a member of a family support network (FSN)?

Are you a member of an organization that supports one or more FSNs?

Are you a member of an informal family or caregiver group that supports people with developmental disabilities?

This annual grant program is for new and established Ontario FSNs. These networks are made up of family members or unpaid caregivers who support adults with intellectual disabilities. Organizations that support family led FSNs can also apply. Grants are only available to FSN as a group within the community. These grants are not intended to provide direct support to families or individuals.

See the Guidelines and the Application Form for more information on eligibility.
Types of Funding and Grant Amounts (2026-2027)
Applicants can apply for one of three types of funding:
- New and emerging FSNs ($1,000 to $4,500): to support the creation of new FSNs and build the capacity of less established FSNs.
- Growth and support of existing FSNs ($1,000 to $4,500): to strengthen the capacity of FSNs already established, but which need funding to maintain, strengthen and develop.

Grants Awarded in 2025-2026

2025-2026 Grant Recipients

Aranyam for Independent Living	Caledon Area Families for Inclusion
Care Connect	Cherish Integrated Services
Coalition des familles francophones d’Ottawa (French)	Connected Families (Community Living Burlington)
Connected Families of York South	Connect-In FSN
Dads Supporting Dads	Disability Advocacy Network of Eastern Ontario
Down Syndrome Association of Peel	Downtown Toronto FSN
Durham Association for Family Resources and Support	Everydayliving4us
Families as Partners (Community Living Ajax, Pickering, Whitby)	Families for Creative Possibilities
Families For The Future	Family Network York Region North
Family Voice of Lanark County	Farsi Family Network
Guelph/Wellington Family Network	Hope for Autism Family Group
InclusiveAbility Toronto	New Paths Brant
Newmarket/Aurora FSN	Organisation of Canadian Tamils with Disabilities
Ottawa Family Support Network	Our Daughters’ Home
Parent Resource Group Brantford	Perth County Family Network
Prince Edward Family Engagement Network – CL	Réseau de soutien familial francophone de SDG (French)
Sault Ste. Marie Down Syndrome Society	Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support
SDG Caregiver Network	Spark FSN
Tamil Community Services for Special Needs	The Windsor-Essex Down Syndrome Association
Thornhill “KARES 4 YA”	Thunder Bay Family Network
Windsor-Essex Family Network	York Region Special Needs Families
York South Family Network

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Guidelines for FSN Grants 2026-27 (PDF)

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Guidelines for FSN Grants 2026-27 (word)

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Application Form for FSN Grants 2026-27 (pdf)

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Application Form for FSN Grants 2026-27 (word)

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