Tourism Funding for 2025
If you have big plans for your business in 2025 and a little more funding would be helpful in realizing your vision, take the time to apply for one of these federal and provincial grants before they close.
Learn more about how to present the strongest grant application and what you will need to have on hand when getting ready to complete an application here.
Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy
DEADLINE: December 19, 2024 at 2:59 a.m. EST (11:59 p.m. PST)
The Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy (CSJ) provides wage subsidies to eligible employers, facilitating the creation of quality summer work experiences for young people. The CSJ program welcomes applications from a diverse range of employers, including:
• Not-for-profit organizations,
• The public sector,
• And private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees.
Employers who participate in this program will not only support the professional development of youth, but also benefit from the fresh perspectives and enthusiasm they bring to the workplace.
Ontario Culinary Tourism - SKODE Program
DEADLINE: January 15, 2025
Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) and the Tourism Innovation Lab have partnered to offer a fifth round of the Skode Program - this year with a focus on Indigenous Culinary Tourism. The Skode Program will match three Indigenous culinary tourism finalists with a mentor and provide a $5,000 non-repayable financial contribution to advance their new Indigenous culinary tourism ideas to the next level. To be eligible, applicants must be a member of ITO.
Selected finalists will receive:
- $5,000 non-repayable financial contribution to support their Indigenous culinary tourism idea development activities
- 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert
- Additional support and resources provided by ITO and program partners
- Access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders
- Plus one $20,000 Grand Prize Winner!
Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Stream
DEADLINE: March 5, 2025, 5 p.m. EST
The Ontario Trillium Foundation's OTF) Capital Stream provides funding for capital improvements to buildings and spaces. These places provide opportunities for activity, recreation and connection and play an important role in creating healthy and vibrant communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
In the Capital grant stream, OTF funds projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment so people and communities can thrive.
Applications for this stream open on Feb. 5, 2025 and close on March 5, 2025. Participation in coaching calls with OTF is important to gauge the strength of your application.
Indigenous Tourism Fund - Micro and Small Business Stream
DEADLINE: Ongoing - first-come, first-served
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is dedicated to nurturing the growth and success of Indigenous tourism operators across Canada. ITAC's vision is to help make Canada the global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030 and has invested in the Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro and Small Business Stream.
ITAC has been diligently implementing the Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro and Small Business Stream (ITF-MSBS) from the Government of Canada. This program distributes funding for each province (total funding amount allocated by the federal government) on a first-come, first-served basis. Intake in Ontario is ongoing until they reach the funding target.
Save on Energy for Businesses
DEADLINE: Ongoing
Check out the programs and incentives for businesses to save money on energy costs through instant discounts, the small business partnership or the retrofit program.
NOW CLOSED PROGRAMS
Tourism Growth Program
DEADLINE: September 17, 2024
The Tourism Growth Program is a key part of the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. Over $108 million is available over three years to support communities, small-and-medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.
Green and Inclusive Community Buildings
DEADLINE: October 16, 2024 at 3 p.m. EST
The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program funds projects which improve energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions, and enhance the climate resilience of community buildings. The GICB Program supports retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing publicly-accessible community buildings and the construction of new publicly-accessible community buildings for underserved and high-needs communities across Canada.
Main Street Funding Program
DEADLINE: March 31, 2024
Applications are now open for My Main Street, a $15-million investment to support main street businesses and communities across southern Ontario. Funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), My Main Street is being delivered through two new streams that open for applications on February 22, 2024 and the application intake closes March 31, 2024. Read the application guide before submitting an application.
EV ChargeON Program
DEADLINE: January 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST
EV ChargeON is a competitive, application-based funding initiative for eligible municipalities in Ontario. The program's objective is to expand EV charging infrastructure, alleviate range anxiety, and support long-distance EV travel.
To assist in the application process, we have compiled materials, including Q&As and webinar recordings, available in the provided Dropbox link.
Ecosystem Fund
DEADLINE: January 31, 2024
The Ecosystem Fund has been designed to assist non-profit organizations that collaborate with and support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. These organizations are now eligible to apply individually or together with a partner organization for funding to fuel two core categories of projects:
1. Programs supporting 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs
2. Internal capacity-building initiatives
Review the funding guidelines to see if you are eligible.
Experience Ontario
DEADLINE: January 11, 2024 at 5 p.m. EST
The Ontario Government is launching the Experience Ontario 2024 program, allocating funding for eligible in-person festivals scheduled between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
Rural Economic Development (RED)
DEADLINE: February 21, 2024 at 5 p.m. EST
Ontario's Rural Economic Development (RED) Program provides cost-share funding to support activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario and opens doors to rural economic development, by funding projects that:
- address barriers to economic development
- better position rural communities to attract or retain investment
- address labour force development challenges
- build rural community capacity to attract, retain and expand businesses
- renew community assets to drive economic development
- support economic growth through regional partnerships
