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Experience Ontario 2024
ON, Canada
Support for Ontario's tourism festivals and events.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJanuary 11, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Experience Ontario 2024 is a competitive grant program by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, offering financial support up to $125,000 for in-person festivals and events in Ontario that enhance tourism, create job opportunities, and promote Ontario's culture and economy. Eligible activities include event programming and production, marketing initiatives, and accessibility improvements, all of which must occur within the specified timeframe of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant outlines specific funding tiers to support tourism festivals and events in Ontario, with funding amounts determined by previous event expenditures. The model encourages transparency and accountability while maximizing tourism impact through targeted financing.
- Signature events with total expenses of $1 million or more are eligible for up to 50% of cash expenses, capped at $125,000.
- Emerging events with expenses between $250,000 and $999,999 can receive up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum of $55,000.
- Community events with expenses under $250,000 are eligible for up to 50% of eligible expenses, capped at $20,000.
- Only one application per organization and one application per event is allowed to ensure fair distribution of funds.
- The funding is exclusively available for expenses directly related to event programming and marketing incurred within the specified period.
- Ineligible expenses, including administrative overheads, permanent staff salaries, and travel costs, are excluded from funding to maintain focus on event-specific costs.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Experience Ontario 2024 grant is designed to support tourism festivals and events that contribute to the economic impact and increase tourism spending in Ontario. Eligible projects or activities must encourage travel, showcase local experiences, and engage tourists through diverse and innovative programming.
- Organizing public, in-person festivals or events over a minimum of two consecutive days that attract tourists and provide cultural and entertainment experiences.
- Offering interactive and experiential programming that highlights Ontario's local culture, attractions, and communities.
- Partnering with local businesses and community organizations to enhance the event offerings and create tourism packages.
- Implementing targeted marketing strategies to broaden the event's reach and increase tourist attendance.
- Providing temporary jobs in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors related to the event.
- Including accessible and inclusive programming for diverse audiences, such as Francophone, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
- Conducting economic impact studies to measure the effectiveness of the event and inform future initiatives.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 40,000
Organizing a two-day Indigenous cultural festival with dances and traditional food
$ 40,000
Organizing a winter sports festival with accessible programming
$ 45,000
Hosting a Summer Music Festival with local artists and interactive activities
$ 50,000
Organizing a food and cultural festival with international cuisine and performances
$ 45,000
Producing a historical reenactment event featuring live actors and interactive exhibits
$ 50,000
Creating a week-long art festival with local exhibitions and workshops
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant must be a legal entity, established by or under legislation, or federally or provincially incorporated, or a First Nation in the province of Ontario.
- The applicant can be an Indigenous community in Ontario, a regional or provincial organization representing First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or urban Indigenous peoples, or an Indigenous service provider.
- The organization must have been in existence since January 1, 2023, or before.
- The applicant must be an operating business in Ontario with a physical presence and business address.
- The organization 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.
- The organization must conduct business in Ontario and have a Canadian bank account in the legal name of the applicant at a Canadian financial institution.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Experience Ontario 2024 grant is designed to support organizations hosting tourism festivals or events in Ontario that contribute to economic impact and enhance visitor spending. Eligible applicants must be legally recognized entities established in Ontario prior to January 1, 2023, including Indigenous communities and organizations operating within the province.
- Legal entities established by or under legislation and incorporated federally or provincially.
- Indigenous communities in Ontario, including First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or urban Indigenous peoples, as well as Indigenous service providers.
- Organizations that have been operational since January 1, 2023, or earlier.
- Entities conducting business in Ontario with a Canadian bank account.
- Organizations not in default of any existing agreements with the Ontario government.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity, focusing the support on those directly enhancing Ontario's tourism industry through festivals and events.
- Sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and general partnerships.
- Federal or provincial governments and their agencies.
- Festivals or events that are sporting events primarily benefiting athletes without ancillary programming for visitors.
- Festivals or events targeting only special interest audiences or recruiting new members, including religious or political gatherings.
- Commercial events where the primary goal is selling or promoting products or services, such as trade or consumer shows.
- Fundraising events or those with a primarily charitable purpose.
- Events like symposia, conventions, meetings, conferences, or award shows without additional public programming.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Experience Ontario 2024 grant covers specific expenses directly related to delivering the festival or event within the eligible period.
- Performance and appearance fees for artists, performers, and presenters, including travel and accommodation.
- Programming costs, including interactive, experiential and/or accessible programming.
- Ontario-based production costs, including rental of sound and lighting equipment and event venue.
- Wages for temporary/contract event staff related to programming and production.
- SOCAN or other licensing fees.
- Honorarium for Elder/Knowledge Holder.
- Targeted paid media or advertising buys like broadcast, digital, social, print.
- Distribution costs for printed materials.
- Mobile app and website development related to the event.
- Wages for temporary/contract event staff related to marketing.
- Translation costs for programming or marketing.
- Volunteer training, site/visitor services, or event security costs.
- Accessibility services and improvements as per AODA requirements.
- Non-capital costs for enhanced health and safety measures at the event.
- Sanitation services like handwashing stations, hand sanitizer dispensers.
- Economic impact studies.
- Other reasonable costs directly attributable to the project approved by the ministry.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically available for festivals and events located within the province of Ontario, Canada. Applicants must ensure their events take place in one of the mentioned regions within Ontario to be eligible.
- Events taking place anywhere in the province of Ontario.
- Rural tourism events in communities with populations under 100,000 or density under 100 per square kilometer.
- Northern Ontario districts such as Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timiskaming (RTO 13).
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Experience Ontario 2024 grant are based on a set of predefined criteria, each with a specific point score to ensure alignment with the program's objectives and priorities.
- Organizational capacity and financial statements – 20 points
- Event description, alignment with program objectives, risk management, and contingency plans – 20 points
- Marketing plan – 15 points
- Partnerships – 10 points
- Impact: performance measures and tracking of results – 20 points
- Impact: Government Support – 10 points
- Event budget – 5 points
- Priority Event consideration – 5 points
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Registration
- Create a My Ontario Account for secure access to the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system.
- Confirm you are registered with TPON and all details such as the TPON Administrator, email address, and External Approver links are accurate.
- Step 2: Consult Resources and Advisors
- Read the Experience Ontario 2024 Application Guide.
- Watch the Experience Ontario 2024 Program and Application Video.
- Consult with your Tourism Regional Advisor or Northern Regional Development Advisor to discuss your festival or event plan and its alignment with program objectives.
- Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
- Gather all mandatory documents including incorporation documents and financial statements.
- Complete the application form, ensuring it is electronically signed and dated.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Log into your TPON account to upload all mandatory documents and complete the application process.
- Submit the complete application by January 11, 2024, 5 p.m. EST.
- Ensure receipt of a confirmation notice by email within 24 hours of submission.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for applying to Experience Ontario 2024:
- Consider consulting with a Tourism Regional Advisor or Northern Regional Advisor during your application preparation for personalized guidance.
- You must ensure all organizational details, such as email addresses and administrative authority, are current within the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system.
- Applications are processed through the TPON system, for which creating a My Ontario Account is required if new to the platform.
- All applications must include an incorporation document for verification, unless the applicant is a municipality or First Nation.
- In the case of technical difficulties with the application submission, contact TPON Client Care for support rather than contacting regional advisors.
- It's important to remember there is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants, highlighting the importance of the completeness and precision of the initial submission.
- Ensure compliance with Ontario's human rights, environmental, and labour laws when applying and throughout the project execution period.
- Successful applicants have further obligations, such as the execution of a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) and obtaining specific insurance coverage.
- End-of-event reporting is crucial for funding closure and involves verifying financial details and assessing the impact against initial funding goals.
- The Experience Ontario program is discretionary, meaning funding is not guaranteed despite meeting eligibility and application criteria.
grant_single_labels|contact
ExperienceOntario@ontario.ca
416-325-6691
