Experience Ontario 2025
ON, Canada
Experience Ontario 2025 funds impactful tourism events in Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 1, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 19, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Ontario
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Experience Ontario 2025 is a program by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming offering up to $125,000 in funding to support in-person festivals and events that drive tourism economic impact in Ontario. Eligible activities include diverse programming and marketing efforts that attract tourists, create job opportunities, and enhance Ontario's profile.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides structured financial support based on a tiered model, allowing festivals and events to access varied levels of funding based on their previous year's expenses. The modalities are designed to ensure optimal resource allocation and financial accountability.
- Funding is allocated through a three-tier model based on the organization's previous year's actual festival or event cash expenses.
- Tier 1: Events with cash expenses of $1 million or more are eligible for up to 50% funding of eligible cash expenses, capped at $125,000.
- Tier 2: Events with cash expenses between $250,000 and $999,999 are eligible for up to 50% funding of eligible cash expenses, capped at $55,000.
- Tier 3: Events with cash expenses less than $250,000 are eligible for up to 50% funding of eligible cash expenses, capped at $20,000.
- Funding calculations exclude in-kind expenses and only consider cash expenses directly related to the event.
- Adjustments to funding amounts may occur during final reporting, potentially necessitating refunds if the maximum funding is recalculated.
- Grant recipients must comply with detailed reporting and accountability measures, including confirmation of actual event expenses and financial auditing as applicable.
grant_single_labels|projects
Experience Ontario 2025 grants support festivals and events that promote tourism and economic impact by drawing visitors to Ontario. The eligible projects include multi-day, in-person festivals or events that engage and entertain tourists while boosting local economies.
- Multi-day tourism festivals or events that create job opportunities in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors and attract tourists from 40 km away or more.
- Collaborative festivals or events that include partnerships with local businesses and community groups to drive visitor spending.
- Events that leverage media channels to increase Ontario’s profile and visibility as a travel destination.
- Programs that integrate innovative interactive or experiential activities to enhance visitor experiences.
- Celebratory events that highlight Ontario's cultural diversity and historical significance.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the organization and the festival or event being proposed.
- The applicant must be a legal entity established by or under legislation, federally or provincially incorporated, or a First Nation or Indigenous community in Ontario.
- The organization must be in existence since January 1, 2024, or before.
- The organization must be an operating business with a business address and physical presence in Ontario.
- The organization must not be in default under the terms 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
Experience Ontario 2025 evaluates and selects project applications based on their ability to meet specific program criteria, ensuring alignment with program objectives and funding priorities.
- Organizational Capacity - 25 points
- Festival and Event Information - 15 points
- Festival and Event Programming Details - 30 points
- Marketing and Community Economic Development - 25 points
- Event Budget - 5 points
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Experience Ontario 2025 excludes certain organizations based on specific statuses and activities, ensuring that the funding is directed towards advancing the tourism sector in line with the program's goals.
- Sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and general partnerships.
- Federal or provincial governments and/or their agencies.
- Organizations that have failed to comply with the terms and conditions of any previous grant or loan from a ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
- Organizations applying for events that receive funding from the Ontario Sport Hosting Program or the Ontario Music Investment Fund, unless they are applying for separate events.
- Organizations that fail to demonstrate a contribution to tourism, such as those with events aimed at special interest audiences or primarily commercial events.
- Applicants pursuing funding solely for marketing purposes without eligible programming.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for the grant are those incurred for the direct delivery of the festival or event.
- Performance and appearance fees for artists, performers, and presenters, including travel, accommodation, hospitality, and booking costs.
- Programming costs including interactive, experiential, and accessible programming.
- Ontario-based production costs, such as audio and visual support, rental of sound and lighting equipment, and rental of event venue.
- Wages for temporary/contract event staff directly related to programming and production.
- Fees for SOCAN or other licensing.
- Honorarium for Elder/Knowledge Holder.
- Targeted paid media or advertising buys, such as broadcast, digital, social, print, out-of-home.
- Distribution and shipping costs for printed materials.
- Development and upgrades of mobile applications and websites for promoting or supporting the festival or event.
- Wages for temporary/contract event staff related to marketing.
- Translation costs for programming or marketing.
- Volunteer training costs for the event, site/visitor services, or event security.
- Accessibility services and improvements for event programming to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
- Non-capital costs related to health and safety measures such as digital contactless payment and admission technology.
- Sanitation services like handwashing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers.
- Economic impact studies.
- Other reasonable costs directly attributable to the project that are approved in writing by the ministry.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to companies located in Ontario, Canada, as determined by the funding body. The eligible locations are focused on supporting events within the province to promote tourism and local economic development.
- Algoma.
- Cochrane.
- Kenora.
- Manitoulin.
- Nipissing.
- Parry Sound.
- Rainy River.
- Sudbury.
- Thunder Bay.
- Timiskaming.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Experience Ontario 2025 grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives and priorities.
- Organizational Capacity - 25 points
- Festival and Event Information - 15 points
- Festival and Event Programming Details - 30 points
- Marketing and Community Economic Development - 25 points
- Event Budget - 5 points
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Experience Ontario 2025 grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Preparation
- Read the Experience Ontario 2025 Application Guide.
- Watch the Experience Ontario 2025 Program and Application video.
- Consult your Tourism Regional Advisor or Northern Regional Development Advisor to discuss your festival or event plan's alignment with the Experience Ontario objectives.
- Ensure registration with Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) is current, including email and contact details.
- Step 2: Prepare Required Documentation
- Prepare your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
- Gather incorporation documents (or alternatives for certain organizations like BIAs or Agricultural Societies).
- Compile financial statements according to the guidelines (e.g., audited financial statements, or board-endorsed financial statements).
- Step 3: Create My Ontario Account
- Create a My Ontario Account for secure access to the TPON portal.
- If you are a new user, set up and verify your My Ontario Account ahead of time.
- Step 4: Complete Application in TPON
- Log into the TPON portal using your My Ontario Account credentials.
- Complete the online application form with accurate and thorough information about your festival or event.
- Upload all required documents through the portal.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Review the application for completeness and accuracy.
- Submit the application before the deadline of December 19, 2024, 4 p.m. EST.
- Ensure you receive a submission confirmation email.
- Contact Transfer Payment Ontario Client Care if you do not receive a submission confirmation.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications must be submitted via the Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) system, and applicants are responsible for ensuring their application is complete with all mandatory documents before the deadline.
- New users must create a My Ontario Account for access to the TPON system, which can take several days, so it is advised to start this process early.
- The total maximum eligible funding is tiered based on the festival or event's previous year's total cash expenses.
- Successful applications must report back within 90 days following the event, use the final report form, and provide all supporting materials as part of the mandatory post-event reporting process.
- Successful applicants must have at least $2 million commercial general liability insurance coverage and include "His Majesty the King in right of Ontario, His ministers, agents, appointees and employees" as an additional named insured.
- Event promotion must acknowledge Ontario's support in all media, publicity and marketing materials as part of a visibility campaign.
- There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applications.
grant_single_labels|contact
ExperienceOntario@ontario.ca
416-325-6691
