Open
Ontario Creates Industry Development Program
Supports Ontario creative industry organizations with strategic development initiatives
Last Update: March 23, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 35,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Ontario Creates Industry Development Program offers non‑refundable grants of up to $35,000 to Ontario-based not-for-profit trade and event organizations in the book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. It funds business development and capacity-building activities such as B2B and B2C market initiatives, professional development, mentorship, training, research, and industry events that expand skills, business capacity, market share, and sales.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 35,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business-to-business (B2B) activities that create new leads and long-term business relationships, such as buyer-seller meetings, business forums and content incubators.
- Business development initiatives that help companies access new markets, business opportunities, distribution channels and niche markets, including strategic export and sales office activities.
- Industry events, conferences or structured initiatives focused on professional development, mentorship and training for creative sector companies and professionals.
- Strategic capacity-building projects, including research or consultation initiatives that identify sector needs and help companies adapt to challenges, opportunities or environmental changes.
- Projects that promote inclusion and increase participation or support for equity-deserving groups within the book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organizations serving the book publishing sector
- Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organizations serving the magazine publishing sector
- Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organizations serving the film sector
- Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organizations serving the television sector
- Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organizations serving the interactive digital media sector
Who is not eligible
- For-profit companies and other organizations that are not incorporated as not-for-profit entities in Ontario or at the national level.
- Organizations that are not Ontario-based (i.e., do not operate as Ontario organizations) and do not offer significant benefits to Ontario participants.
- Organizations that have been operating for less than one full year or that are not financially viable as ongoing entities.
- Organizations that derive more than 40% of their revenues from government sources, unless they qualify as a trade organization or membership association as defined by the program.
- Organizations receiving operational (core) funding from the Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF).
Eligible expenses
- Project-related administrative costs (e.g. project management, bookkeeping, office rent, insurance), up to 15% of the total project budget.
- Labour costs directly tied to delivering the project activities (e.g. salaries and wages for project staff, trainers, mentors, coordinators), up to 50% of total eligible costs.
- Equipment costs required for the project, including purchases subject to amortization, up to a maximum of $5,000.
- Fees for external service providers and suppliers (e.g. consultants, trainers, researchers, event organizers) contracted to deliver parts of the project.
- Direct delivery costs for events, training, mentorship or business development activities (e.g. venue rental, materials, technical services), where these are included in the approved budget.
- Eligible Ontario-based project costs that are necessary and reasonable for carrying out the approved activities, as detailed and approved in the submitted budget.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations incorporated and operating in Ontario.
- National organizations, provided their activities offer significant benefits to participants based in Ontario.
Additional information
- Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session, with the possibility of a separate French session or accessibility accommodations upon request.
- Organizations may submit more than one application per deadline, but each application can only cover a single project.
- Previously funded projects must be re-submitted annually for consideration and are not guaranteed renewed support.
- Ontario Creates applies a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to all decisions, including attention to equity-deserving communities and accessibility.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program?
The Ontario Creates Industry Development Program offers non‑refundable grants of up to $35,000 to Ontario-based not-for-profit trade and event organizations in the book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors. It funds business development and capacity-building activities such as B2B and B2C market initiatives, professional development, mentorship, training, research, and industry events that expand skills, business capacity, market share, and sales.
How much funding can be received?
Ontario Creates Industry Development Program Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $35,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program program?
To be eligible for the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program program, you must:
Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organization serving the creative industries.
In operation for at least one full year and financially viable.
At least 60% of revenues from non-government sources (unless a trade or membership organization).
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Creates Industry Development Program?
Business-to-business (B2B) activities that create new leads and long-term business relationships, such as buyer-seller meetings, business forums and content incubators.
Business development initiatives that help companies access new markets, business opportunities, distribution channels and niche markets, including strategic export and sales office activities.
Industry events, conferences or structured initiatives focused on professional development, mentorship and training for creative sector companies and professionals.
Strategic capacity-building projects, including research or consultation initiatives that identify sector needs and help companies adapt to challenges, opportunities or environmental changes.
Projects that promote inclusion and increase participation or support for equity-deserving groups within the book, magazine, film, television and interactive digital media sectors.
Who can I contact for more information about the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program?
You can contact Government of Ontario (ON) by email at gflac@ontariocreates.ca or by phone at 416-642-6652.
Where is the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program available?
The Ontario Creates Industry Development Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Ontario Creates Industry Development Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Ontario Creates Industry Development Program is a Grant and Funding