International Assistance

If you are interested in applying for a grant from OTF’s International Assistance Committee,  please download a copy of the International Assistance Application Form (Word)

For over 50 years, OTF’s International Assistance Fund has provided support to locally-initiated educational projects in developing countries, undertaken by teacher organizations, schools and other groups. The fund is administered by a committee of teachers, representing each of OTF’s affiliates.

Among the supported projects each year is usually at least one project initiated by CODE (the Canadian Organization for Development through Education) and several projects funded under the auspices of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF).

The International Assistance Fund is financed through OTF’s membership fees.

To view the assistance provided in 2022-23, click on OTF International Assistance Infographic, 2022-23.

The Blanche E. Snell Estate Fund provides grants to foreign students or educators who are enrolled in an educational institution in Canada and who indicate their intention of returning to their own countries to work within an educational environment. Grants are made from the accrued interest in the fund.

Blanche Snell Flyer

Blanche Snell Application Form

The Ontario Lesotho Educational Sustaining Fund (OLESF) assists needy students in Lesotho in pursuing their education, particularly in the area of teacher training.

Information about submission deadlines

The International Assistance Committee meets twice a year to consider applications for project support. The first meeting of our academic year is usually held in early December and the second meeting takes place in early June.

Requests for funding from the OTF International Assistance Fund will not be processed during the summer months (June to August). Applications will only be accepted commencing in September.

• Applications received by November 1 will be considered by the committee in early December. If your application is received after November 1, it will be held on file for consideration at the June meeting.

• Applications received by May 1 will be considered by the committee in early June. If your application is received after May 1, it will not be carried forward to the next year. A new application must be submitted.

Requests from India

On October 2, 2020, OTF learned that the Government of India amended the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (Bill 2020). As of September 29, 2020, Section 7 of the Act has been substituted by a new section which states: “No organization which is registered and granted a certificate or has obtained prior permission under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010 and receives any foreign contribution, shall transfer such foreign contribution to any other organization.”

Additionally, as of April 1, 2021, all FCRA registered organizations in India are obliged to open a Designated/Main Foreign Currency Bank account, which must be held in a branch of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.

The above FCRA amendments have required OTF to make several changes to our processes and to find new ways of transferring funds to India safely and securely. All applicants from India MUST provide the following:

  1. clear proof of FCRA certification
  2. details of a Designated/Main Foreign Currency Bank Account, which must be held in a branch of the State Bank of India, New Delhi
  3. current annual report
  4. recent audit report
  5. NGO Darpan unique ID
  6. Please make sure to use the current application form

All countries

If you have submitted your request via email, please do not resend it by post – receiving multiple copies of the same application slows down the administrative process.

Should you wish to apply for funding, you must fill out an application form. Please review the Terms of Reference below and complete the application form below.

Note: If your request is not approved at the first meeting, please do not resubmit your request this year as it will not be considered a second time in the same year.

International Assistance Application Form (Word)

For more information on international assistance, please email: [email protected].

Terms of Reference – OTF International Assistance Committee

2022-23 Report  to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

OTF International Assistance Infographic 2022-23

2021-22 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

OTF International Assistance Infographic, 2021-22

2020-21 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

OTF International Assistance Infographic, 2020-21

2019-20 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

OTF International Assistance Infographic, 2019-20

2018-19 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

OTF International Assistance Infographic, 2018-19

2017-18 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

OTF International Assistance Infographic, 2017-18

2016-17 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting

2015-16 Report to the OTF Annual Board of Governors’ Meeting