TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant

Founded by TD Bank Group in 1990, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is a national charity that funds environmental projects across Canada.

The information below will help you better understand our approach to grant making and our process. We recommend that you read this entire page prior to submitting an application.

Eligibility criteria

Organizations eligible to receive funding:

  • Registered Canadian charities with a Charitable Registration Number (CRN)
  • Educational institutions (primary/secondary/post-secondary)
  • Municipalities
  • Indigenous groups/communities

Projects eligible to receive funding:

The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs.

Eligible projects include schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, park programming and citizen science initiatives. For a full list, please see the Common Questions.

Expenses we do NOT Fund

  1. Infrastructure and capital costs (sheds, solar panels, low flush toilets, water refill stations, etc.)

  2. Administrative, contingency funds, or operating expenses

  3. Shade structures (gazebos, pergolas, shade sail, built structures, etc.)

  4. Playground equipment (traditional play structures)

  5. Ornamental landscaping or beautification

  6. Conferences

  7. Land acquisition

  8. Expenses related to advocacy activities (i.e., campaigns, protests, etc.)

  9. Projects occurring on private land with no public access

  1. Scholarships, grants or bursaries

  2. Awards and prizes

  3. Mileage, accommodation, meal costs or other travel expenses

  4. Expenses incurred prior to the application date

  5. Venue rentals

  6. Projects taking place outside of Canada

  7. Research projects

  8. Pesticides for any purpose

Submit your application for funding prior to the start of your project

When planning your project, please keep in mind that TD FEF has set deadlines and response times throughout the year. To ensure timely review of your application, please refer to the following schedule:

Winter submission

Summer submission

Submission deadline

January 15

July 15

Regional advisory board meeting

March

September

Applicants notified

April

October

Apply online

All grant applications must be submitted online.

Once successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement.
Applicants must attach a budget to their application form.

Start application

General Questions

TD FEF cannot provide funding for projects already underway. Submit your application for funding prior to the start of your project, taking into account when Regional Advisory Boards meet.

When planning for your project, please keep in mind that TD FEF has set deadlines and response times throughout the year.

To ensure the timely review of your application, please refer to the following schedule:

Winter submission

Summer submission

Submission deadline

January 15

July 15

Regional advisory board meeting

March

September

Applicants notified

April

October

Funding requests are needs based, and there is no set minimum or maximum amount for which you can apply. However, the majority of TD FEF grants are between $2,000 and $8,000.

We do not provide funding to individuals.

TD FEF makes grants to eligible organizations directly rather than through individual fundraising activities. Therefore, we are unable to fund your effort.

TD FEF can only fund projects taking place in Canada.

All applications for funding are reviewed by one of six Regional Advisory Boards. These volunteer boards are made up of TD employees and environmental leaders from communities across the region.

When you submit a request you will receive an automatic email confirmation that we have received your application.

Applications for funding are reviewed two times per year. Please refer to the schedule below to learn when organizations will be notified.

We only accept applications that are submitted electronically. Please save a copy for your own records.

Carolyn Scotchmer, Executive Director, Carolyn.scotchmer@td.com


Pacific, Prairies, and Northern Ontario
Mandip.Kharod@td.com


Atlantic Region, Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, and Niagara Region
Hannah.Bradshaw@td.com


Quebec, Ontario South and West, and Eastern Ontario
Danielle.X.Quenneville@td.com

Application criteria for specific projects

TD FEF has specific application criteria for the following projects:

Community Garden projects need to contain a focus on at least one environmental issue in order to be eligible for funding. The application also needs to address the following questions:

  • How is your organization addressing an environmental issue?
  • Who is engaged in the project (local schools, Indigenous groups/communities, seniors, families, general community etc.)?
  • Is there an educational or workshop component?
  • Will the garden be accessible to people with disabilities or limited mobility?
  • How will you engage the community?
  • If associated with a school, how will the garden be maintained over the summer months? What is the maintenance plan?
  • For new gardens, does your organization have permission to use the land?
  • If planting vegetables, how will the crops be used?

Environmental Education projects should contain a focus on local environmental issues and identify why it is important to educate the public. For school projects, the project should focus on information that is appropriate to the target audience combined with a ‘hands-on’ educational component or workshop. If the project involves planting, gardens or any physical alterations to school grounds, the application must be submitted by the school. In the application please address the following questions:

  • For school projects, are there curriculum ties? If so, in what subjects?
  • If the applicant is an environmental organization presenting to the school, please include confirmation of participation from the school(s).
  • How does the education initiative support the teachers involved (if applicable)?
  • What are the goals of the educational program? Is there any follow up with the participants following the activities?
  • Is the education about environmental issues that are relevant to the local community?
  • For community education projects, explain why it is relevant to the community

Outdoor classroom and nature play projects should demonstrate a strong connection to environment and provide students with opportunities for environmental learning. If the project includes play elements, TD FEF will prioritize those that use natural materials in providing age-appropriate environmental learning opportunities to young children.

Applicants should consider the following questions:

  • How is the school and possibly community involved in building the outdoor classroom? Will there be a dedicated space for learning activities?
  • If your project includes natural play elements, please provide information on how you will include learning connections to nature and the environment.
  • How is your project encouraging environmental connection for children that may not otherwise have access to nature play?
  • Are there changes being made to the school grounds? If yes, school board approval is required.
  • What courses/workshops will the outdoor classroom host? How will teachers be encouraged to use the space?
  • Will there be a planting component to the outdoor classroom? If so, how will the plantings be maintained over the summer months?
  • How will the outdoor classroom be shared with the community?

For tree planting and greening projects, there should be a focus on engaging the community as volunteers and on planting native species. Applicants should address the following questions:

  • Where is the planting taking place? Why is the project needed at this point?
  • Who is involved in planning the project and in carrying out the planting?
  • How will the organization engage the community?
  • Please provide a plant list in your application detailing what native or non-native plants will be used and why (e.g., increase pollinators, provide shade, etc.)
  • Who owns and/or manages the property? Has the organization obtained permission to plant?
  • How will the site/trees be maintained?

For over 30 years, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has worked to help protect the environment and green communities across Canada. By donating to TD FEF, you’re directly supporting projects that make a difference in your community.

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation – BN/Registration Number: 133702845RR0001

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