Funding & Resources

The Regional Development Program provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in Ontario, by region.

The Sport Hosting Program provides project-based funding to help applicants deliver major national and international amateur sport events in Ontario. The objectives of the program are to:

• Create legacies that support sport at the provincial, regional and local level
• Provide economic benefits through increased levels of tourism, expenditures and improved public infrastructure
• Foster a culture of sport and physical activity in communities by creating role -models and enhancing community spirit and involvement in sports
• Increase opportunities for Ontario athletes to compete and participate in events in Ontario
• Seek new avenues to build and develop the sport capacity of the province
• Create a culture of sport that engages all Ontarians

The Heritage Organization Development Grant (HODG) is an annual, statutory-based operating grant designed to promote public awareness of Ontario's rich and diverse heritage. The program provides historical societies, museums and other heritage associations located throughout the province with a portion of their annual operating support.

Provides annual funding of $5 million to deliver local and intercommunity transportation projects in unserved and underserved areas in Ontario, particularly in rural areas.

OTIF provides time-limited, application-based funding for up to 5 years to support the start-up and growth of transit services across the province. Through OTIF, the province is providing eligible communities with the support they need to build safe and reliable transit services.

Open Grants offers funding of up to $35,000 through Hamilton Community Foundation to support projects in education, health and human services, recreation, the environment, and the arts in Hamilton. Eligible activities must take place within Hamilton or provide a specific benefit to Hamilton residents.

The Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Stream aims to accelerate the growth of firms and assist with the adoption and adaptation of new, innovative technologies that support scale-up, productivity, development of and entry into new markets to help companies become competitive in both domestic and global markets.

Propel offers post-secondary students the opportunity to gain the skills sought by employers through hands-on, paid work-integrated learning opportunities in tourism and hospitality.

The wage subsidy is available for employers who hire students enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution for a paid position to fulfil the co-op or internship component of their program. The wage subsidy can be accessed by businesses from all facets of the visitor economy: accommodations, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services.

Provides funding to local groups for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, local artisans, local heritage performers or specialists, and local First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultural carriers. This includes the celebration of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations.

The Accessible Destination Program supports the creation of welcoming, barrier-free environment that enhances the visitor experience. In collaboration with AccessNow, a Canadian-founded platform that maps and shares accessibility information, applicants can request a space review along with a grant to support accessibility improvements.

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations. Grants support a range of arts activities and disciplines. OAC currently offers more than 65 grant programs.

Take a successful project to a new level. Grow grants provide a higher level of funding over 2 or 3 years to help proven community projects increase their impact.

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.

The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP) provides access to capital and access to business opportunities to Indigenous entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada.

It has three aims: (1) to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario organizations to develop, promote and present one- off or first time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events; (2) increase the earned revenue capability of the applicant organization; and (3) support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation.