Closed
Source verified July 8, 2026
CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF)
Funding for tourism projects and events in Thunder Bay
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The program provides up to $500,000 for tourism planning, business development, capital enhancement, and related projects in Thunder Bay. It also supports tourism events and marketing initiatives that attract visitors and strengthen the local tourism economy.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Thunder Bay
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Tourism events that attract out-of-town visitors.
- Tourism planning, feasibility studies, and strategic plans.
- Tourism business development, expansion, or capital improvements.
- Tourism marketing development for visitor-facing campaigns.
- Outdoor mural installations within Thunder Bay.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian legal entities.
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- For-profit businesses.
- Tourism businesses and organizations.
Who is not eligible
- Non-Canadian legal entities.
- Applicants seeking support for online event delivery.
- Applicants with a primary target audience in Thunder Bay for marketing development.
Eligible expenses
- Marketing and advertising (to out-of-town markets)
- Venue expenses
- Local transportation
- Event performers/speakers (relating to key note speakers, headliners)
- Production costs (rental equipment)
- Capital enhancements relating to the event
- Hosting fees for events considered blockbusters (see above – event eligibility)
- Live stream support and production costs required by a sanctioned sport governing body as a condition of hosting the event
- Locally produced welcome/athlete kit items (capped at $10 per participant)
- Other expenses deemed eligible that attract visitors or enhance the visitor experience
- Artist fees, supplies, installation, and equipment for murals
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Alcohol.
- Prizes and awards.
- Salaries for event organizers.
- Online event delivery.
- Political contributions.
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Thunder Bay, Ontario
Selection criteria
- Alignment with Tourism Thunder Bay and CEDC values.
- Visitor impact, including overnight stays and room nights.
- Economic impact, marketing effectiveness, and media exposure.
- Financial viability, sustainability, and leveraged funding.
- Project uniqueness, partnerships, and growth potential.
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit the short form application online.
- Tourism Thunder Bay staff complete a preliminary review.
- They confirm whether the project appears eligible.
- Step 2: Complete the long form application.
- If eligible, staff email the long form application.
- Applicants submit the completed long form to CEDC staff by email.
- Step 3: Committee review.
- The Tourism Investment Committee reviews complete applications.
- Some applicants may be asked to present briefly.
- Step 4: Decision and agreement.
- Applicants receive the funding decision after the meeting.
- Approved applicants sign a funding agreement.
Processing and Agreement
- Short form application is reviewed first for eligibility.
- Eligible files move to a long form application for committee review.
- The Tourism Investment Committee reviews and evaluates the application.
- Funding decisions are sent within two weeks of the committee meeting.
- Approved applicants must sign a legal funding agreement and submit a final report for the last holdback.
Additional information
- The program is discretionary and has limited funding.
- Approved applicants must sign a legal funding agreement.
- A final report and evaluation metrics are required for the final holdback.
- Approved projects may receive promotional support from Tourism Thunder Bay.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) Program
What is the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF)?
The program provides up to $500,000 for tourism planning, business development, capital enhancement, and related projects in Thunder Bay. It also supports tourism events and marketing initiatives that attract visitors and strengthen the local tourism economy.
How much funding can be received?
CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) Funds up to 33% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) program?
To be eligible for the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) program, you must:
Canadian legal entity
Tourism-focused project
Meets timing requirements
What expenses are eligible under CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF)?
Tourism events that attract out-of-town visitors.
Tourism planning, feasibility studies, and strategic plans.
Tourism business development, expansion, or capital improvements.
Tourism marketing development for visitor-facing campaigns.
Outdoor mural installations within Thunder Bay.
Who can I contact for more information about the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF)?
You can contact Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) by email at none or by phone at 807-983-2041.
Where is the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) available?
The CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CEDC Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is a Grant and Funding