Closed
Source verified July 9, 2026
Spruce the Bruce
Funding for downtown and tourism improvements
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Bruce County supports downtown improvement, tourism, accessibility, and agri-food projects. Funding can reach up to $10,000, depending on the grant stream and project type.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Downtown façade and storefront improvements.
- Signage, awnings, patios, and streetscape upgrades.
- Accessibility improvements for commercial buildings.
- Tourism, agri-food, and visitor-experience enhancements.
- Community marketing and destination infrastructure projects.
Documents Needed
- All quotes for project materials, labour, and work
- Project plans and designs
- Proof of permit application
- Before photos of the project area
- Property owner support letter, if applicable, and required municipal or County permits
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Businesses and property owners
- Municipalities and local entities
- Not-for-profits and charities serving visitors
- Business improvement areas and chambers of commerce
Who is not eligible
- Applicants outside the eligible Bruce County areas.
- Projects with partners outside Bruce County, for the Community Marketing Grant.
- Projects generating advertising or promotional revenue for applicants.
Eligible expenses
- Materials and labour for approved project work.
- Design, rendering, and visual scope preparation.
- Paid promotion and marketing collateral for eligible campaigns.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Work started before approval.
- Temporary, removable, or consumable materials in certain streams.
- Projects outside eligible areas.
- Items excluded by each stream, such as roof repairs, roof overhangs, or free-standing signage.
Eligible geographic areas
- Bruce County
- Arran-Elderslie
- Brockton
- Huron-Kinloss
- Kincardine
- Northern Bruce Peninsula
- Saugeen Shores
- South Bruce
- South Bruce Peninsula
Selection criteria
- First-come, first-served for complete applications.
- Eligibility and completeness review.
- Project must fit grant components and branding guidelines.
- Only eligible projects proceed to approval.
How to apply
- Step 1: Check eligibility
- Confirm the project location is in an eligible area.
- Confirm the project fits the grant stream.
- Step 2: Prepare documents
- Gather quotes, plans, designs, photos, and proof of permit application.
- Obtain permits and any required support letters.
- Step 3: Complete and submit the online form
- Fill out the application before starting any work.
- Upload all required files and submit online.
- Step 4: Wait for review and offer
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
- If approved, sign the Letter of Offer before starting work.
- Step 5: Finish the project and claim payment
- Complete the project by October 31.
- Submit the completion form with invoices or receipts and after photos.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
- Completed applications are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If approved, a Letter of Offer is sent for signing.
- Project completion must be submitted online with invoices or receipts and photos.
- Funding is issued after spend and work are confirmed.
Additional information
- Funding is limited and fully allocated for some streams.
- Applications are first-come, first-served when complete.
- A Letter of Offer must be signed before work begins.
- Project work must be completed by October 31.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Spruce the Bruce Program
What is the Spruce the Bruce?
Bruce County supports downtown improvement, tourism, accessibility, and agri-food projects. Funding can reach up to $10,000, depending on the grant stream and project type.
How much funding can be received?
Spruce the Bruce Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Spruce the Bruce program?
To be eligible for the Spruce the Bruce program, you must:
Located in an eligible Bruce County area.
Complete application with all quotes, project plans, designs, and proof of permit application.
Project must follow applicable branding guidelines.
What expenses are eligible under Spruce the Bruce?
Downtown façade and storefront improvements.
Signage, awnings, patios, and streetscape upgrades.
Accessibility improvements for commercial buildings.
Tourism, agri-food, and visitor-experience enhancements.
Community marketing and destination infrastructure projects.
Who can I contact for more information about the Spruce the Bruce?
You can contact Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7) by email at info@sprucethebruce.com or by phone at none.
Where is the Spruce the Bruce available?
The Spruce the Bruce program is available the province of Ontario.
Who are the financial supporters of the Spruce the Bruce?
Spruce the Bruce is funded by Regional Tourism Organization 7 (RTO7)