undefined
Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) - ON - Canada

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB)

Last Update: February 28, 2025
ON, Canada
Supports major events boosting tourism and economic impact in Ontario

Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Up to 20% of project cost
Timeline
  • Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
  • Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS)
Status
Open

Overview of the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program

The Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster grant provides funding up to 20% of eligible event expenses for large-scale, high-impact events that draw significant tourism to Ontario. Eligible activities include programming, production costs, media buys targeting tourist markets, and event security services.

Financing terms and conditions

  • Eligible to apply for up to a maximum of 20% of eligible Blockbuster event cash operating expenses.
  • The value of in-kind expenses is not included in the determination of Blockbuster event cash operating expenses.
  • Funding will only cover eligible expenses directly related to the delivery of the Blockbuster event.
  • There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applications.
  • All funding decisions are made by the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
  • If funds are not used for the intended purpose, the province has the right to recover parts or all of the funds transferred.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Hosting of large-scale, high-impact events defined as Blockbuster events by the ministry.
  • Organizing major one-time national or international events taking place in Ontario.
  • Arranging major events that recur infrequently in Ontario and travel nationally or internationally.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 20,000

Upgrade the IT infrastructure in the public library

$ 40,000

Implement a renewable energy system for community center

$ 14,000

Develop a local business mentorship program

$ 8,000

Launch a sustainable urban gardening initiative

$ 12,000

Implement an online booking system for art classes

$ 95,000

Start a craft beer brewery with local ingredients

Eligibility criteria of the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program

  • Eligible applicant organizations must be legal entities and have existed for one year or longer as of the date of submission of the application.
  • The applicant must have a Canadian bank account at a Canadian financial institution conducting business in Ontario.
  • The applicant must not be in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
  • Eligible applicants include Ontario municipalities with a tourism strategy that includes hosting major events, and for-profit or non-profit organizations that have event management and/or hosting as part of their mandate.
  • The applicant must demonstrate proven organizational ability, technical capacity, and fiscal prudence to successfully host a Blockbuster event.

Who is eligible?

  • Ontario municipalities that have identified hosting major events as part of their tourism strategy
  • For-profit or non-profit organizations (or groups of organizations) that have event management and/or hosting as part of their mandate

Who is not eligible

  • Events that are still in the bidding process.
  • Amateur sporting events that are receiving funding under the Ontario Sport Hosting Program.
  • Events that recur in Ontario on an annual or biennial basis.
  • Events that seek to attract only a special interest audience or recruit new members, such as religious or political gatherings and workshops.
  • Trade fairs, events of a primarily commercial nature, including consumer shows, symposia, conventions, meetings and conferences, seminars and clinics.

Eligible expenses

  • Performance and appearance fees paid to artists, musicians, and other entertainers and presenters, including travel, accommodation, and booking costs.
  • Programming costs, including interactive, experiential and/or accessible programming.
  • Production costs, including audio and visual support such as rental of sound and lighting equipment and rental of event venue.
  • Insurance for artworks specific to a blockbuster exhibit as an eligible production cost.
  • Media buys targeting Ontario audiences residing 40 kilometres or more from the event location.
  • Media buys targeting out-of-province tourists, including broadcast, digital, print, social, and out-of-home advertising space.
  • Event security costs.
  • Accessibility services and improvements to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, specifically related to programming for the Blockbuster event.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Ontario, Canada

Eligibility criteria of the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program

  • Organizational Capacity and Financial Statements: 20%
  • Event Information and Alignment with Program Objectives & Priorities: 30% (Includes Event Cash Budget, Marketing Plan, Economic Impact Report)
  • Full Marketing Plan, including Tourism Marketing Plan: 10%
  • Partnerships: 10%
  • Impact: Performance Measures and Tracking of Results: 25%
  • Event Budget: 5%
  • Additional points for rural or northern events, or events that take place over the non-peak season: 5 points are allocated.

How to apply to the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) program

1
Preliminary Steps and Consultation
  • Read the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Application Guide thoroughly.
  • Consult with the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Program Lead or a Regional Tourism Advisor to discuss your event proposal.
2
Accessing the Application Platform
Create or access your ONe-key account to gain secure entry to the Government of Ontario system.
3
Prepare and Gather Required Documents
  • Complete the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Application Form, ensuring it is electronically signed and dated.
  • Attach incorporation documents for your organization in the Transfer Payment Ontario System (if not already submitted).
  • Prepare the most recent audited financial statements by a Chartered Public Accountant.
  • Develop an economic assessment report estimating the event's economic impact using TREIM or a third-party impact report.
  • Draft a detailed Marketing Plan that aligns with projected event attendance numbers.
4
Submit the Application
  • Submit the complete application via the Transfer Payment Ontario System at least four months prior to the event date.
  • Ensure that all mandatory documents are uploaded.
  • Verify successful submission by checking for an email confirmation within 24 hours of submission.
5
Follow-up and Additional Information
  • Contact Transfer Payment Client Service if the confirmation of submission is not received.
  • Be prepared to provide additional information if requested by the ministry before the application is evaluated.

Additional information

  • PDF forms must be accessed and filled using the latest version of Adobe Reader to ensure functionality.
  • The application process involves creating or accessing a "ONe-key" account for secure access within the Government of Ontario system.
  • Applications must be submitted at least four months prior to the proposed event start date.
  • All successful applicants are required to have $2 million in commercial general liability insurance during the validity period of the grant agreement.
  • The Ministry expects grant recipients to comply with all applicable laws, including the Ontario Human Rights Code.
  • Acknowledge Ontario's support in event-related media as per ministry directives.
  • Grant recipients may be subject to audits by the province to ensure accuracy of information and proper use of funds.
  • No appeal process is available for unsuccessful applicants.

Apply to this program

More grants like this

Rural Economic Development program — Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream
Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Cost-share funding for rural economic development
Ontario Creates Industry Development Program
Grant and FundingOpen
Ontario, Canada
Funding for the Ontario cultural media industry
FedNor — Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Ontario, Canada
Supporting Francophone economic growth in Northern Ontario
OMIF — Music Industry Initiatives
Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Funding for music service organizations in Ontario
Summer Employment Opportunities (SEO) Program
Grant and FundingClosed
Ontario, Canada
Funding for student summer employment positions in key sectors
Cultural Supports Program — Community Events Stream
Grant and FundingOpen
Ontario, Canada
Funds to increase community profiles in Northern Ontario
Digital Main Street – ShopHere
Expert AdviceOpen
Ontario, Canada
Help to launch an online store for Ontario businesses
Ontario Computer Animation and Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE)
Tax CreditsOpen
Ontario, Canada
Tax credit for animation and special effects work in Ontario
Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF)
Grant and FundingClosed
Ottawa, Ontario
Funding to improve accessibility in Ottawa’s tourism sector
Articipate — Creation and Development Grant
Grant and FundingClosed
Ottawa, Ontario
Funding support for developing new artistic work in Ottawa-Gatineau