Overview

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG) provides funding through grants and investment agencies that support:

  • the non-profit sector
  • artists
  • arts organizations
  • creative industries
  • tourism industries

By investing in these sectors, we:

  • support important programs and services
  • help to grow Ontario’s tourism, culture and entertainment sectors
  • make our communities great places to live and work

Our grants and granting agencies can help you and your organization succeed, and your community thrive.

Festival and event funding

Festivals and events across the province are supported through two competitive programs.

Experience Ontario

This program supports festival organizers, not-for-profit organizations and communities delivering impactful, multi-day experiences and Canada Day celebrations.

Marquee Event Program

This program supports large-scale festivities with regional impacts and helps bolster Ontario’s overall destination attraction efforts.

Learn more about these programs and how they can support your festival or event.

Ontario Arts Council

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) provides grants to Ontario-based:

  • individual artists
  • arts professionals
  • ad hoc groups
  • art collectives and organizations

These grants support a range of arts activities and disciplines.

OAC grant types

Project grants

One-time grants for specific projects.

Operating grants

Ongoing support for Ontario-based, not-for-profit arts organizations and for-profit book and magazine publishers.

To apply for grants, please visit the Ontario Arts Council website.

Ontario Creates

Ontario Creates promotes, enhances and leverages:

  • investment
  • jobs
  • original content creation

These efforts span various domestic and international industries, including:

  • book publishing
  • film and television
  • interactive digital media
  • magazine publishing
  • music industries

Ontario Creates helps build the capacity and competitiveness of the province’s creative industries. This helps deliver award-winning content that audiences across Ontario and around the world enjoy.

Learn more about how Ontario Creates can help your organization succeed.

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund

The Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF) helps cultural organizations promote high-quality, high-profile events, festivals and exhibitions across Ontario. The goals of the OCAF are to:

  • increase tourism and local attendance
  • increase earned revenue for applicant organizations
  • create jobs and economic growth

Find more information about how this fund can support the success of your event.

Ontario Trillium Foundation

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) helps build healthy and vibrant communities across the province by investing in the non-profit sector. OTF wants all Ontarians to have access to the facilities, programs, activities and services that make their communities great places to live, work and play.

Grants are available to:

  • charitable and not-for-profit organizations
  • Indigenous communities
  • small municipalities

Eligibility

To be eligible for an OTF grant, applicants need to:

  • deliver programs and services in one of four sectors:
    • sports and recreation
    • arts and culture
    • environment
    • human and social services
  • have a primary purpose, presence and reputation for delivering community-based programs and services
  • meet the eligibility policy as well as organizational requirements that include specific governance and operational information

Learn more about grants, eligibility and how to apply.