Public Awareness Funding

Interested applicants must submit an application form. (The questions are also listed below for reference, but the form itself must be submitted to be considered.) These submissions are evaluated by the OAA’s Communications and Public Education Committee (CPEC).

Aside from basic project/applicant information, the questions that must be completed using the form in the link above include:

• Have you received OAA funding in the past (along with dates and amounts)?
  
• Who is the target audience? What is the expected impact on this audience related to architecture awareness?
  
• Why have you requested funding from the OAA for this project?
  
• Please provide a brief project timeline and/or action plan.
  
• What do you want to achieve with this project? How will you know whether you are successful?
  
• Please include a budget detailing how you arrived at your requested amount and how the funds will be spent. Include funding from other sources, if applicable.
  
• Occasionally, CPEC is able to offer a lower amount of funding than initially requested. Please briefly describe how your project or your funding request can be scaled down should a lower funding amount be available instead.

The OAA welcomes proposals from:

• not-for-profits and charitable organizations;
  
• grassroots organizations;
  
• informal collectives;
  
• individuals; and
  
• other deserving applicants (at the discretion of CPEC).

The Public Awareness Funding can be used to fund upcoming projects and initiatives such as:

• community events;
  
• lectures;
  
• workshops;
  
• exhibitions;
  
• day camps; and
  
• innovative learning tools.

The OAA’s Public Awareness Funding program will not support:

• illegal activities, harmful activities, or activities contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code;
  
• projects that have already happened;
  
• projects outside Ontario;
  
• commercial/profit-driven projects;
  
• projects or technical tools focused solely on those within the architectural profession;
• projects contrary to the OAA’s vision, mandate, and values; or
• projects contrary to the OAA’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

CPEC will consider a variety of projects that align with the OAA’s vision, mandate, and strategic plan while demonstrating the potential to advance public awareness about architecture. The Committee will evaluate submissions against the following key criteria:

• clear focus on public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of architecture and the allied arts and sciences;
• ability to address the OAA’s key strategic themes of climate action and equity, diversity, inclusion, and Reconciliation;
  
• innovation, creativity, and relevance;
  
• demonstrated need for funding;
  
• ability to reach a broad public audience, especially youth;
  
• feasibility and likelihood of success; and
  
• expected impact.

• April: CPEC reviews and approves of funding requests
  
• Early May: decisions are communicated to applicants, with funding issued via cheque
  
• Late May: OAA Council reviews any requests above $10,000
  
• Early June: funding issued to successful applicants above $10,000
  

Deadline Two: Monday, September 15, 2025

• October: CPEC reviews and approves of funding requests
  
• November: decisions are communicated to applicants, with funding issued via cheque
  
• Early December: OAA Council reviews any requests above $10,000
  
• Mid December: funding issued to successful applicants above $10,000.