Ontario Creates Industry Development Program

• The applicant must be an Ontario-based incorporated not-for-profit organization.
• The organization must have been in operation for at least one full year and be financially viable.
• The organization must generate at least 60% of its revenues from non-government sources, unless it is exempt as a trade organization or membership association.
• The project must provide capacity-building, business development or strategic activities that benefit Ontario companies in the book, magazine, film, television, and/or interactive digital media sectors.
• The project must demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes such as increased skills, business capacity, market share, sales, or innovation for Ontario creative industry stakeholders.

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.

• Relevance of the project (30%): importance to Ontario creative industry stakeholders, clear evidence of need, and alignment with sector development goals.
• Feasibility (25%): clarity and realism of objectives, work plan, timeline and budget, strength of the project team, and evidence of consultation with industry stakeholders.
• Expected results (25%): measurable outcomes, benefits for Ontario companies, and contribution to diversity, equity, inclusion and support for equity-deserving communities.
• Track record (20%): past experience delivering similar projects, commercial and audience impact, number of Ontario participants, and demonstrated DEI actions and commitments.

• 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.