Maytree Granting Program

Overview of the Maytree Granting Program program:

Maytree is a charitable foundation committed to addressing the root causes of poverty in Canada through policy work, public engagement, and funding partnerships. Its granting approach centers around supporting organizations that use human rights-based strategies to tackle poverty, systemic inequity, and marginalization. The foundation provides core operational funding as well as project-specific support, focusing primarily on long-term partnerships rather than one-time funding. Maytree prioritizes organizations that are engaged in structural change, public policy reform, and rights-based advocacy—particularly those working at the intersection of poverty, housing, social services, and racial or social justice. The program values collaborative work, local leadership, and efforts that influence decision-making systems. Grant applicants must be registered Canadian charities whose work aligns with Maytree’s values. Unlike many traditional funders, Maytree avoids overly prescriptive criteria or formal application rounds. Instead, it encourages conversations and relationship-building. The foundation actively identifies partners whose mission fits its strategic focus and enters into funding agreements following mutual assessment. They prioritize organizations that amplify the voices of people with lived experience of poverty and who work toward accountability, inclusion, and equity. Though Maytree does not publish exact funding amounts or deadlines, their approach emphasizes trust-based philanthropy, emphasizing transparency, flexibility, and responsiveness to partner needs. They are particularly focused on initiatives based in Toronto and urban areas, though national organizations are also eligible.

Benefits of the Maytree Granting Program program:

• Flexible, trust-based grant funding.
• Long-term strategic partnerships.
• Core and project funding support.
• Emphasis on organizations working to influence systems, policies, and rights-based change.
• Support for initiatives addressing poverty, housing, equity, and civic engagement.
• Encouragement of community leadership and organizations led by people with lived experience.
• Opportunities to collaborate with other grantees and Maytree-led initiatives in public policy and social justice.

Eligibility criteria of the Maytree Granting Program program:

• To be eligible for funding, organizations must:
• Be a registered Canadian charity.
• Be working on poverty reduction and/or systems-level change using a human rights-based approach.
• Operate in Toronto or other Canadian communities with a strong emphasis on urban equity.
• Demonstrate alignment with Maytrees core values: dignity, equity, social justice, and civic engagement.
• Be open to ongoing relationship-building and long-term collaboration.
• Be engaging in work related to:
• Housing and homelessness
• Social services and income supports
• Human rights education and advocacy
• Inclusion and anti-racism
• Community leadership development
• Ineligible:
• Individuals
• Non-charitable organizations (unless sponsored)
• Projects lacking alignment with human rights or systems change