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Tourism Development Fund (TDF)
Last Update: March 7, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Supports innovative tourism development and investment projects in Ontario
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is an application-based, cost-sharing program designed to provide non-capital funding to innovative tourism projects that increase tourist visitation and spending in Ontario. Eligible activities include consulting fees, project management services, temporary wages, research, business plan support, and economic impact studies. The program will match up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum grant of $25,000.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : September 14, 2023
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- LGBTQ+ community
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
- Provincial
Activities funded
- Development of innovative tourism products and experiences.
- Initiatives to attract domestic and/or foreign private sector tourism investment.
- Projects that build the capacity of Ontario’s tourism industry to support new tourism investments.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 10,000
Organizational development for a new music festival
$ 12,500
Creating a strategic tourism development plan for Niagara Falls
$ 7,000
Facilitating a business plan for a new eco-tourism venture
$ 12,500
Developing an interactive mobile app to boost tourism
$ 10,000
Conducting an economic impact study of a new art festival
$ 12,500
Supporting the development of an indigenous cultural heritage center
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a municipality, destination marketing organization, Indigenous organization, not-for-profit organization with a tourism focus, or a for-profit tourism business or organization.
- The applicant organization must be based in Ontario, incorporated or legislated, and have been in existence for at least three years as of the application deadline.
- The applicant must have a Canadian bank account in its legal name at a financial institution conducting business in Ontario.
- The applicant must consult with a Regional Development Advisor or the Investment and Development Office prior to applying to confirm project and expense eligibility.
- The proposed project must take place in Ontario and fall within the specified project timeframe.
Who is eligible?
- Municipalities and Destination Marketing Organizations
- Indigenous Organizations
- Not-for-Profit Organizations with a clearly defined tourism focus
- For-Profit Tourism Organizations
- For-Profit Tourism Businesses
Who is not eligible
- Federal or provincial governments and their agencies.
- Tourism industry associations.
- Regional tourism organizations.
- Sole proprietorships.
- Limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and general partnerships.
Eligible expenses
- Consulting fees and project management services.
- Wages for temporary contract staff to support delivery of the project.
- Research and tourism sector strategic planning.
- Business plan support.
- Economic impact studies and assessments for developing new tourism products and experiences.
- Organizational development and capacity building.
- Translation costs directly related to the project.
- Other reasonable and directly attributable project expenses approved in writing by the ministry.
Eligible geographic areas
- Province of Ontario, Canada
Selection criteria
- Organizational capacity (15%)
- Francophone, Indigenous, or 2SLGBTQIA+ impact (10%)
- Project description (20%)
- Alignment to program objectives (20%)
- Confirmed partnerships and support from stakeholders (10%)
- Project performance measures (20%)
- Budget (5%)
How to apply
1
Preliminary Preparation
- Read the Tourism Development Fund Application Guide thoroughly.
- Consult with your Regional Development Advisor or contact the Investment and Development Office via email at ido.ont@ontario.ca to discuss your proposal.
2
Registration and Account Setup
- Create a My Ontario Account and register for Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON) access.
- If you are an existing TPON user, migrate your profile to a My Ontario account using your associated email.
3
Gather Necessary Documents
- Prepare and electronically sign the completed Tourism Development Fund Application Form.
- Gather incorporation documents and financial statements as required.
- Collect any optional letters of support from organizations and partners.
4
Complete and Submit Application
- Fill out the application form in the TPON system using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Upload all mandatory documents to the TPON system before the deadline of September 14, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
- Submit the application and ensure you receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
5
Follow Up
- Ensure that your application status is updated in the TPON system.
- If confirmation of submission is not received, contact TPON Client Care at TPONCC@ontario.ca or call 416-325-6691.
Additional information
- Recipients must maintain $2 million in commercial general liability insurance with specific endorsements.
- The application requires a complete submission of all mandatory documents before the deadline for assessment.
- Post-project reporting may be required for up to three years following project completion.
- Applicants must acknowledge Ontario's support in all communication and media relating to the funded project.
Contacts
ido.ont@ontario.ca
(416) 325-6691
