Capacity-Building Grants for Family Support Networks

The 2026-2027 Grant Application Window Is Now Closed (4:00pm, March 13, 2026)

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

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.

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.

2026-2027 Grant Recipients

Aging Together	Care Connect
Central West Caregiver Circle	Coalition des familles francophones d’Ottawa (French)
Common Ground Commons	Communauté Congolaise de la Région de la Capitale du Canada (French)
Community Living Brant	Community Living Chatham-Kent
Community Living Essex County	Community Living Prince Edward
Community Living Wallaceburg	Dads Supporting Dads (CL Toronto)
Danforth Family Network	Disability Advocacy Network of Eastern Ontario
Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury	Downtown Toronto FSN
Durham Association for Family Resources and Support	Facile Futures Inc. (London Family Network)
Facile Futures Inc. (Perth County Family Network)	Families as Partners (Community Living Ajax, Pickering, Whitby)
Families for the Future	Family Network York Region North
Farsi Family Network	Guelph/Wellington Family Network
Halton FSN (CL Oakville)	Le réseau de soutien familiale francophone de SDG (French)
Multicultural Caregiver Connection	New Paths Brant
Newmarket/Aurora FSN	Niagara Region FSN
Ontario Prader-Willi Syndrome Association	Organisation of Canadian Tamils with Disabilities
Ottawa Family Support Network	Our Journey to Belong
Parents Association Living Toward Hope	Parent Resource Group Brantford
Sault Ste. Marie Down Syndrome Society	Sawubona Africentric Circle of Support
Shared Dreams for Independent Living	Spark FSN
Special Needs Funding Support for Families	Tamil Community Services for Special Needs
Tamkeen FSN	Thornhill “KARES 4 YA”
Total Communication Environment FSN	Valoris for Children and Adults of Prescott-Russell
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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