Your Next Big Tourism Project Could Be Funded

Are you looking for funding opportunities to help grow and strengthen your business? We've compiled a list of opportunities you can leverage to realize your vision. Take the time to apply for one of these funding programs before they close. 

Rural Ontario Development Program (ROD)

DEADLINE: September 24, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST

The new Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program is now open for applications — replacing the RED Program and offering $20 million over two years to support economic growth in rural communities. Municipalities, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and small rural businesses can apply for cost-shared funding to support local planning, workforce development, infrastructure, and business growth.

There are two streams for this funding: 

• Rural Communities: Economic development, workforce, and infrastructure support
• Rural Businesses: Up to $10,000 in cost-shared funding for small businesses (1–20 employees)

 Want to learn more? Attend a Free Webinar: July 8, August 20, or September 10

Ontario Trillium Foundation - Grow Stream

DEADLINE: November 5, 2025 at 5 p.m. EST

Delivered through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), the Grow funding stream provides grants that range from $100,000 to $600,000 delivered over two or three years. Grants support established programs and services that have a proven track record of success and meet community need. Applicants can apply for funding to expand, improve or adapt an existing program or service.

You must create an profile with OTF in order to apply for this funding. 

Review the funding application questions here. 

Applications for this funding stream open on October 8, 2025 and close on November 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST. 

Please note that participation in coaching calls with OTF is recommended to gauge the strength of your application and increase the chance of success. Coaching spaces fill up fast so book yours well in advance. You can book more than one call to assist as you progress through the application process. 

Experience Ontario

DEADLINE: December 19, 2024 at 4 p.m. EST

The Ontario Government is launching the Experience Ontario 2025 funding program, allocating funding for eligible in-person festivals scheduled between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. Grants are available for up to 50% of total costs up to a maximum of $125,000.

Eligible festivals and events must be:

• More than one day events
• Open to the public at large without membership in a club or group
• Include tourist attendance at 30% of overall attendance or 5,000 tourists
• Have been held at least once in the previous three years
• Follow all municipal and provincial guidelines, including health and safety guidelines
• Must not include only marketing or media buys

The application can be accessed in your Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) account. If you do not have an account please sign up well before the deadline to ensure everything runs smoothly. To book time to review the guidelines and/or discuss your event, you can book a time with Robertson, Mia (MTCG): Experience Ontario 2025 Consultation. 

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.

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.