Closed
Last Update: June 26, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 50,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
OMIF – Music Futures supports Ontario-based music companies with growth potential through direct grants. It funds eligible record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music presenters or promoters for recording, marketing, touring, capacity building, and live music activities in Ontario.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- From $ 25,000 to $ 125,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Recording, editing, mixing and mastering
- Marketing and promotion
- Artist development activities
- Business development and capacity building activities
- Live music activities for promoters and presenters, including festivals
Documents Needed
- Activity Budget
- Business Plan
- Articles of Incorporation
- Financial Statements for the two most recently completed fiscal years
- Signed Applicant Affidavit
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario-based record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music promoters/presenters, including festivals
- Companies deriving revenue from any combination of these four applicant categories
Eligible expenses
- Costs for staff salaries, office space and corporate services directly used in the delivery of the planned activities
- Equipment, materials and software, including amortization expense or actual rental cost where applicable
- Costs associated with event-specific insurance
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses related to business travel
- Expenses related to catalogue acquisition
- Expenses incurred outside of the approved activity period
- Expenses not in the original budget and which did not receive pre-approval by Ontario Creates
- Costs relating to international artists
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Track record and organizational capacity, including financial and human resources capacity
- Financial risk, including the applicant’s financial capacity and financial position
- Overall proposal quality, including business case, relevance, feasibility, clarity, and completeness
- Economic and critical impact, including measurable goals and anticipated ROI
- Resilience and sustainability, including long-term growth, sustainability, and innovation
How to apply
- Submit the application electronically through the Ontario Creates Online Application Portal (OAP) at https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/.
- Applicants that do not have a user account on OAP should go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/ and click on “Register.”
- Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process well in advance of the deadline.
- Applicants can save the application and return to it later before submission.
- Technical assistance is available from the OAP Helpdesk at applyhelp@ontariocreates.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed for completeness and eligibility immediately following the deadline.
- Eligible applications are reviewed and assessed by a jury of industry professionals and Ontario Creates staff.
- Successful applicants must sign a standard Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement.
- Successful applicants must provide a final report through the Online Application Portal.
- Generally, payments are triggered by execution of the Ontario Creates transfer payment agreement and delivery of final report(s) and subsequent approval.
Additional information
- First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Ontario Music Office at least two weeks ahead of the application deadline to discuss eligibility.
- Late applications will not be considered for funding.
- Applicants using AI technology must disclose and outline its use in the application.
- Applicants that do not have a user account on OAP should go to https://apply.ontariocreates.ca/ and click on “Register.”
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OMIF – Music Futures Program
What is the OMIF – Music Futures?
OMIF – Music Futures supports Ontario-based music companies with growth potential through direct grants. It funds eligible record labels, music publishers, music management companies, and live music presenters or promoters for recording, marketing, touring, capacity building, and live music activities in Ontario.
How much funding can be received?
OMIF – Music Futures Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the OMIF – Music Futures program?
To be eligible for the OMIF – Music Futures program, you must:
The applicant must be Ontario-based.
The applicant must have annual revenues from eligible music business activities of $25,000 to $125,000.
The applicant must be in operation for at least two years before the deadline.
What expenses are eligible under OMIF – Music Futures?
Recording, editing, mixing and mastering
Marketing and promotion
Artist development activities
Business development and capacity building activities
Live music activities for promoters and presenters, including festivals
Who can I contact for more information about the OMIF – Music Futures?
You can contact Ontario Creates by email at OMO@ontariocreates.ca or by phone at 416-572-0436.
Where is the OMIF – Music Futures available?
The OMIF – Music Futures program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the OMIF – Music Futures a grant, loan, or tax credit?
OMIF – Music Futures is a Grant and Funding