Rural Ontario Development Program – Community Development

• Completed application form
• Supporting documentation from partners, if applicable
• Quotes or estimates for costs over $10,000
• Feasibility studies, strategic plans, or other evidence supporting project need

Who is eligible?

• Municipalities
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous communities and Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
• Local services boards
• Small businesses with 1 to 20 employees

Who is not eligible

• Projects that benefit only one individual business or organization.
• Projects that mainly involve research, debt refinancing, fundraising, or lobbying.
• Projects that are incomplete or do not benefit rural Ontario.
• Projects that are already receiving other provincial funding.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees or new hires to develop strategies and plans, and new hires who work 100% on Project-related activities, including wages, mandatory employer-related costs, laptops, computers, software, travel in Ontario, portable internet services, cell phones, cellular network services, and professional development costs.
• Professional fees specifically related to Project activities, including legal, architectural, engineering, environmental, surveys, project management, audio visual, marketing and promotions, consulting, and accounting fees.
• Technology costs for project-related computer, communications, and audio or video equipment, and project-related software.
• Events, marketing and promotion costs, training development and speaker fees, workshop and training-related materials and supplies, event-related transportation costs, and catering in compliance with the province’s Travel, Meal and Hospitality Directive for approved Project-related activities in the capacity building events sub-stream.
• Minor capital costs for community infrastructure enhancements, including contractor’s fees, materials and labour, accessibility equipment, equipment and machinery, furniture and major appliances, localized Wi-Fi hardware and software for public use, project-related computer, communications and audio or video equipment, trail rehabilitation, recognition signage design, fabrication and installation up to a maximum of $300 based on a total eligible cost of $857.14, and honorariums for Indigenous Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Unreasonable or unnecessary costs, costs incurred outside the period identified in the Contribution Agreement, costs incurred outside Ontario, costs paid to a non-arm’s-length third party, costs incurred through a process that is not transparent or fair or that does not promote the best value for money, and in-kind Contributions.
• Employee expenses not related to new hires, direct wage subsidies for existing staff on Project-related activities or administrative fees charged by the Applicant, honoraria or per diems taxable under the Income Tax Act, membership costs, and travel and meals for consultants and existing staff.
• Financing and financing charges, debt restructuring, loan interest payments, bank fees, preparing an application, claim submission or reporting requirements for any program, recurring software licenses or fees, and normal business practice costs such as ongoing operational costs, insurance and taxes including HST, meeting costs not directly related to the Project, travel not directly related to the Project, office space and utilities, regular or deferred maintenance, office supplies, office phones, internet and networks, and uniforms.
• Catering, food and refreshments, alcohol, gifts, awards, prizes or incentives, fundraising, sponsorship of conferences and events, private sector events, events that have already occurred, giveaway items, vehicles, transportation equipment, material handling equipment, agricultural, construction or mining equipment, Major Capital Costs, Minor Capital Costs, and other ineligible event or promotion costs.
• Activities that influence or lobby any level of government, permits and approvals, contingencies, deposits for expenses that have yet to be fully incurred, refunds or rebates, projects whose primary purpose is an annual general meeting or regular business meeting or a fundraising event, projects that primarily attract tourists or general community attendance, projects benefiting primarily an individual business or organization, projects whose primary purpose is to prepare a property or asset for immediate or imminent sale, and projects whose primary purpose is to support compliance efforts with current Requirements of Law.

Eligible geographic areas

• Rural Ontario

• Applications are scored based on criteria listed in order of importance after the intake closes.
• ROD Program outcomes.
• Project description, including Economic Development objectives, activities, Rural Ontario benefits, alignment with the workplan and budget, and the organization’s capacity to successfully deliver the Project.
• Partnerships and community support, Project need, performance measures, sustainability, and financial commitment.
• Projects identified as Indigenous community or Indigenous non-profit organization Projects receive additional consideration in partnerships and community support and financial commitment; Projects requesting up to $25,000 are not evaluated on performance measures or sustainability.

• Step 1: Review program guidelines and eligibility details
  • Read the community development guidelines.
  • Check the eligible stream and project type.
• Step 2: Prepare the application package
  • Download and complete the application form.
  • Gather supporting documents such as partner letters, quotes, and project evidence.
• Step 3: Submit by email
  • Email the completed application to RODprogram@ontario.ca.
  • Send multiple emails if attachments exceed 10 MB.
  • Submit before the intake deadline.
• Step 4: Receive confirmation
  • Wait for a confirmation email with an application number.
  • Contact the program if no confirmation is received.

• After the intake period closes, applications move through Stage 1 eligibility screening.
• Eligible applications are scored in Stage 2 and reviewed by the Rural Economic Development Advisory Panel in Stage 3, and the Panel makes non-binding recommendations to the Minister of Rural Affairs.
• The Minister of Rural Affairs retains the exclusive right to approve or reject any Project and may reduce Cost Share and maximum funding amounts.
• Applicants are notified as funding decisions are reached, usually within 3 months from the posted intake closure date; successful Applicants receive a letter of approval, must sign a Contribution Agreement before receiving any Funds, and must keep their information up to date with Transfer Payment Ontario and Supply Ontario.
• Claims for approved Projects are submitted through an online portal, and the Project closes when the final report is submitted by the deadline in the Contribution Agreement and accepted by the Province; the 10% holdback is released only after final report acceptance.

• Applications are currently closed.
• Multiple applications from the same applicant are allowed in one intake, but discouraged.
• Applicants may work with partners who provide financial or in-kind support.
• Successful applicants must sign a Contribution Agreement before receiving funds.