Government of Ontario: Experience Ontario 2026
The Province of Ontario is pleased to announce the launch of the Experience Ontario 2026 program. The program provides funding to eligible in-person festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Festival and event organizers continue to develop and deliver exciting programming in communities across the province. Your many efforts attract visitors to explore all that Ontario has to offer, boosting local and regional economies while celebrating the diverse identities and cultures that make our province a special place to live, work and play.
For information on the program, please see the Experience Ontario 2026 Application Guide.
Information about how to apply is available through the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) portal.
Regional Advisors are available to assist with questions about the application process.
Applications will be accepted until December 16, 2025, at 5 p.m. (EST).
The application period is now open.
Government of Ontario: Experience Ontario 2024
The Province of Ontario is pleased to announce the launch of the Experience Ontario 2024 program. Ontario is investing $19.5 million to provide funding to eligible in person festivals and events taking place between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
Festival and event organizers continue to develop and deliver exciting programming in communities across the province. Your many efforts attract visitors to explore all that Ontario has to offer, boosting local and regional economies while celebrating the diverse identities and cultures that make our province a special place to live, work and play.
For information on the program, please see the Experience Ontario Application Guide.
Information about how to apply is available at Ontario.ca and this YouTube instructional video here
Regional Advisors are available to assist with questions about the application process.
Applications will be accepted until January 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. (EST).
The application period is now closed.
Government of Canada: Tourism Growth Program
The Federal Government’s Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides $108 million over three years (2023-2024 to 2025-2026) to support communities, small- and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences across Canada. Approximately 15% of the funding is dedicated to Indigenous-led initiatives. Eligible applicants can apply for up to 50% of total project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000 per project. Funding is typically provided as a non-repayable contribution for not-for-profit organizations and a fully repayable, interest-free contribution for businesses.
Eligible applicants include:
- Incorporated small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the tourism industry
- Indigenous-owned businesses (including Indigenous sole proprietors) or Indigenous tourism organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and economic development organizations)
- Governments (municipal/provincial/territorial and related entities)
Preference may be given to SMEs during this intake. To benefit as many tourism operators as possible, FedDev Ontario is focusing this intake on new applicants only. Those who have already received funding under the Tourism Growth Program will not be considered for another project.
Eligible Activities
Eligible projects should add value to existing tourism activities and focus on business and economic growth. Priority may be given to projects that:
- Support the Indigenous tourism industry
- Increase tourism benefits for communities by driving visitation from urban areas to rural areas
- Support economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability
- Support active outdoor experiences
- Extend the tourism season (e.g., new or expanded tourism offerings outside the traditional high season)
- Complement support provided through provincial programs
Financial Assistance
- For small- and medium-sized enterprises: Contributions will normally be repayable.
- For not-for-profit organizations: Contributions will normally be non-repayable.
Additional activities may also be eligible. Please contact us directly or consult the program’s funding parameters for more information.
Applications are being accepted from August 6, 2024, to September 17, 2024, at 4:59 pm Eastern Time.
The application period is now closed.
Central Counties Tourism (CCT): 2025-26 Partnership Opportunities Program
Tourism is about getting people to spend money in a community where they neither work nor live. To be good at it, many businesses have to provide exceptional experiences that motivate people to visit and, more importantly, ensure they return and tell their friends to visit.
Central Counties Tourism’s mandate is to help businesses build their capacity to be successful at growing the visitor economy which, in turn, creates vibrant communities and compelling destinations. As such, the CCT Partnership Program is designed to support businesses and organizations dedicated to growing the visitor economy. To that end, we are challenging every organization entering into a partnership to determine how they will work with others to encourage increased length of visit and money spent.
New for 2025-2026
1. All interested applicants MUST connect with their respective Industry Relations Manager prior to receiving the link to the application:
- Headwaters: Sarah Gratta, sgratta@centralcounties.ca
- York: Sara Sterling, ssterling@centralcounties.ca
- Durham: Lisa John-Mackenzie, ljohn-mackenzie@centralcounties.ca
2. Four intake periods are available to better support projects occurring between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026:
- 1st intake deadline: March 14, 2025 at 3pm
- 2nd intake deadline: June 13, 2025 at 3pm
- 3rd intake deadline: September 15, 2025 at 3pm
- 4th intake deadline: December 15, 2025 at 3pm
3. New stream available for small business owner/operators to support out-of-region marketing efforts.
There are now four funding priority streams for partnership support:
- NEW: Small Business Marketing Support
- Out-of-Region Marketing Support
- Route Development
- Destination Development
All event / experience marketing projects MUST include verified partners providing additional reasons for visitors to stay longer.
Destination Development projects cannot include festivals or events. Festival and event support is limited to out-of-region marketing.
4. Funding limits of up to $10,000 in matched funding support for the Out-of-Region Marketing Support, Route Development, and Destination Development streams, and up to $2,000 in matched funding for the Small Business Marketing Support stream.
Full program details available here
Getting Started
Ahead of submitting your application, please ensure you connect with your region’s Industry Relations Manager to discuss your project:
YORK: Sara Sterling, ssterling@centralcounties.ca
DURHAM: Lisa John-Mackenzie, ljohn-mackenzie@centralcounties.ca
HEADWATERS: Sarah Gratta, sgratta@centralcounties.ca
The application period is open.
Destination Markham Corporation Annual Partnership Support Program
Destination Markham Corporation’s (DMC) purpose is to promote Markham as a remarkable destination for visitors, including tourists, sports and festival attendees, meetings, conference delegates, and business travellers. The key tourism objectives are to research, develop, market, and grow Markham’s visitor economy. This initiative will collaborate with the hotel industry, festival-event- conference-travel planners, attraction operators, cultural institutions, sports tourism promoters, entertainment and recreation providers, food service businesses, and the City of Markham.
First Intake: deadline November 1, 2025 (projects January–May 2026). This intake period is now closed
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Grow Grant
The Grow Grant provides funding to scale up existing community programs that have demonstrated success. Grants range from $100,000 to $600,000 over 2 to 3 years to help organizations expand, improve, or adapt their services for greater community benefit. The next application period runs from October 8 to November 5, 2025.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit organizations (charities, not-for-profits)
- Indigenous communities (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)
- Small municipalities (population under 20,000)
- Collaboratives and faith-based organizations (for non-religious services)
Funding Priorities
Focus areas:
- Physical activity
- Social connections
- Arts, culture, and heritage
- Environmental conservation
- Supporting youth and economically vulnerable populations
For more details, visit the official Grow Grant page.
City of Markham – Celebrate Markham Grant Program
The Celebrate Markham Grant Program provides funding to not-for-profit organizations in Markham to support community events, promote inclusivity, and enhance the city’s reputation as a visitor destination.
Grant Categories
- Cultural Events and Programs: Up to $5,000
- Major Community Festivals: Up to $10,000
- Sports Events: Up to $10,000 (International: Up to $20,000)
- Seniors’ Clubs: Up to $3,000
Applicants must provide necessary permits and approvals before receiving funds.
Application Deadlines
- Applications for the 2026-2027 funding cycle for Sports Events and Major Community Events : August 18, 2025 at noon to September 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. This Application Period is now closed
- Applications for the 2026-2027 funding cycle for Cultural Events and Seniors Clubs : September 22, 2025 at noon to October 22, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. This Application Period is now closed
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For more details, visit the Celebrate Markham Grant Program page.
Destination Canada – Tourism Sprint Program
The Tourism Sprint Program is a competitive, cost-sharing fund for short-term projects that create innovative tourism products and support new tourism investment. Two funding streams are available based on readiness: 2025 Initiation (high-readiness) and 2026 Initiation (projects needing more planning).
Eligible applicants include:
- Local, regional, municipal, provincial and territorial governments
- Indigenous communities and organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations with a tourism mandate
- For-profit tourism businesses and organizations (e.g., accommodations, attractions, tour operators)
Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $25,000
- Lead applicant must contribute at least 10% cash of total project costs
- Remaining contributions may come from partners or in-kind support
- Disbursement: 90% at agreement, 10% on final report
Applications are submitted online in two steps (EOI, then full application). Full Details Available Here.
EOI due September 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PT; full application due October 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (Employer Training Funding)
The Canada-Ontario Job Grant helps employers invest in short-term, third-party training that upgrades staff skills and supports business growth. Employers choose the people to be trained and the training that meets their workforce needs, with government cost-sharing to make it more affordable.
Eligible applicants include:
- Private and not-for-profit employers licensed to operate in Ontario
- Training delivered by an eligible third-party provider (college, university, school board, private trainer, union-based centre, or qualifying product vendor)
- Training related to a job located in Ontario and completed within one year
Funding
- Up to $10,000 per trainee toward eligible training costs, with additional flexibility for small employers
- Small employers training and hiring unemployed individuals may be eligible for up to 100% funding to a maximum of $15,000 per trainee
- Employer cash contribution required: one-sixth for small employers, one-half for large employers
Applications are submitted online and must be approved before training begins. Full Details Available Here.
Government of Ontario Sport Hosting Program
The Ontario Sport Hosting Program provides project-based funding to help applicants deliver national and international amateur sport events in Ontario.
The province provides an annual investment of $3 million and has supported 230 events since 2018.
The program:
- provides funding for a variety of winter and summer sports
- helps to create a culture that values sport and contributes to athlete development
- encourages the development of legacies for amateur sport and local communities
- boosts local economies through sport tourism
Application deadlines are the 2nd Monday in January and July each year at 5pm.