Closed
Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program
Funding for recurring cultural festivals in Toronto
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 650,000
Timeline
- Closing date : February 13, 2026
Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Overview
The program supports recurring cultural festivals in Toronto that build community and provide public access to arts and culture. It offers funding for project, annual operating, and multi-year operating streams, with maximum support ranging from $25,000 to $650,000 annually.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 650,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : February 13, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Toronto
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
Target groups
- General public
- Artists / creatives
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Recurring cultural festivals in Toronto
- Festival programming in the public realm
- Festivals with free or nominal-fee public access
- Project, annual operating, or multi-year operating festival programming
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed application form in TGRIP
- Completed and signed Declaration of Non-Discrimination Policy form
- Completed Organizational Profile in TGRIP
- Proof of organizational status and Board/leadership list, if applicable
- Status documents for band councils, tribal councils, or Indigenous governments, if applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations
- Local band councils, tribal councils, and other local Indigenous governments
- Business Improvement Areas for project funding only
- Not-for-profit community organizations partnering with unincorporated collectives
Who is not eligible
- Organizations already funded through City of Toronto annual operating grant programs
- Organizations receiving operating funding from the Toronto Arts Council
- City of Toronto agencies, boards, and commissions
- Educational institutions, sports organizations, provincial government agencies, hospitals, public libraries, and unions
- Festivals that are primarily ticketed, commercial, or held outside Toronto
Eligible expenses
- Artist fees
- Production and technical costs
- Marketing and communications
- Administrative and overhead costs
- Staff salaries, volunteer training, and health & safety or accessibility planning
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred outside the eligible funding period
- Activities that do not contribute to the submitted festival
- Volunteer hours or gifts
- Alcohol
- Capital costs and equipment purchases
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Toronto
- Outside the downtown core is particularly encouraged
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed and scored by an advisory committee of cultural sector representatives.
- Applications are assessed against the program criteria and ranked until available funds are allocated.
- Funding decisions are final and there is no appeal process.
- Successful applicants must sign an agreement with the City of Toronto and follow its terms and conditions.
- Recipients must submit a final report after the festival is completed.
Additional information
- Applications are closed and reopen in late 2026.
- Applicants may submit only one CFFP application per intake cycle.
- Successful applicants must sign an agreement with the City of Toronto.
- Recipients must submit a final report six months after the festival ends.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding 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 Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program?
The program supports recurring cultural festivals in Toronto that build community and provide public access to arts and culture. It offers funding for project, annual operating, and multi-year operating streams, with maximum support ranging from $25,000 to $650,000 annually.
How much funding can be received?
Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $650,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program program?
To be eligible for the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program program, you must:
Toronto-based cultural festival organizer
Prior festival edition completed
Mostly free public programming
What expenses are eligible under Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program?
Recurring cultural festivals in Toronto
Festival programming in the public realm
Festivals with free or nominal-fee public access
Project, annual operating, or multi-year operating festival programming
Who can I contact for more information about the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program?
You can contact City of Toronto by email at cffp@toronto.ca.
Where is the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program available?
The Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Toronto Cultural Festivals Funding Program is a Grant and Funding