Destination Animation Fund up to $5,000 (10% match). Gather Here sponsorship up to $25,000, and no more than 15% of the event budget. The Marketing Assets program gives photos, video and training, not money.
The City of Guelph runs three tourism funding programs paid for by the Municipal Accommodation Tax. They support new tourism products, marketing photos and video with training, and events that bring visitors to Guelph. Incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit organizations can apply.
City of Guelph (with Destination Marketing Guelph for for-profit applications)Guelph
Not stated on the main page. The Economic Diversification Grant guide says up to $100,000 per fiscal year per applicant.
Ontario's Indigenous Economic Development Fund offers grants and financing to Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations. It has three streams. The two streams open now are mainly for communities and organizations doing economic planning and partnership projects.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation)All of Ontario
No per-grant maximum stated; about $50,000 to $60,000 is shared among successful applicants this window
The Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation gives grants for projects that preserve, study or celebrate the heritage of Waterloo Region. There are property, project or event, and publication grants. Any individual or group in the Region can apply.
Waterloo Regional Heritage FoundationAll of Waterloo Region
$500 to $7,500 per project or property depending on the program, up to $10,000 for priority sites
The Township of Wellesley offers 9 grant programs under its Community Improvement Plan, updated in 2025. They cover fees, studies, façades and signs, building and accessibility work, conversions, extra housing units, agri-tourism, placemaking and sustainability. Owners, and tenants with the owner's consent, can apply.
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan: up to $15,000. Retail Modernization Project Grant: up to $5,000. Technology Demonstration Program: up to $50,000 (closed).
OCI's Digital Competence Centre has grants to help Ontario businesses plan and buy digital technology. One pays for a custom digital plan made with a consultant; another helps shops and other public-facing businesses buy point-of-sale and similar tools. A third stream, for putting a plan into action, is closed.
Up to $99,999 for individual Indigenous entrepreneurs; up to $250,000 for eligible Indigenous community businesses
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program gives Indigenous entrepreneurs a non-repayable equity contribution to start, grow or buy a business. It's delivered by Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital Corporations. The amount depends on the project and need.
Indigenous Services Canada, administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) through Indigenous Financial Institutions and Métis Capital CorporationsAll of Canada
Up to $17,000 per apprentice, paid in $1,000 steps as the apprentice finishes in-class levels and earns their certificate, with registration and extra payments for some apprentices.
Ontario pays employers and group sponsors a grant when their registered apprentices hit training milestones. Payments come at each completed level of in-class training and when the apprentice earns the top certificate in their trade. A registration payment and extra amounts apply for apprentices under 25 or who self-identify as part of an under-represented group.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development)All of Ontario
Up to $10,000 per street address or storefront ($20,000 corner lot with work on both frontages, $30,000 for buildings with multiple storefronts)
A City of Kitchener grant for street-facing façade work on downtown buildings. It can pay up to half the cost of a project. It's for property owners and tenants in the Downtown Community Improvement Area with a commercial use on the ground floor.
Typically 10% to 20% of eligible project costs, up to $5 million. Up to 75% only for projects with exceptional benefit to Ontario.
This fund helps Ontario businesses affected by U.S. tariffs invest in projects that open new Canadian markets, bring supply chains back to Ontario or protect jobs. Support is a grant or a loan, usually covering 10% to 20% of project costs. It's aimed at small and medium-sized businesses with at least 5 staff.
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario
$10,000 to $50,000 per project, up to 50% of eligible costs (total project value $20,000 to $100,000)
CanExport SMEs pays back up to half of the cost of trying to sell into a new international market. It covers things like trade show trips, market research and legal advice abroad. It's closed for 2026-27, but it's worth knowing about before the next intake.
An Ontario program delivered by Business Centre Guelph-Wellington for people starting, growing or buying a small business in Guelph or Wellington County. It includes 8 in-person group sessions, advisor meetings and the chance of a grant of up to $5,000. Grants aren't guaranteed and spaces are limited.
Business Centre Guelph-Wellington, funded in partnership with the Government of OntarioGuelph
An Ontario program delivered in Waterloo Region by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. It combines an 8-week training program and mentoring with a chance to pitch for a grant of up to $5,000. It's for people starting, buying or growing a business under 5 years old in Waterloo Region.
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, funded in part by the Government of OntarioAll of Waterloo Region
An Ontario program for students aged 15 to 29 who want to run their own summer business, delivered by Business Centre Guelph-Wellington. It offers up to $3,000 plus training, coaching and mentoring. Students must be returning to school in the fall.
Business Centre Guelph-Wellington, funded in partnership with the Government of OntarioGuelph
An Ontario program for students aged 15 to 29 who want to run their own business over the summer, delivered locally by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. It offers up to $3,000 plus training and mentoring. Students must be returning to school after the summer.
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, funded in part by the Government of OntarioAll of Waterloo Region
Destination Development Fund up to $4,000 (15% applicant share); Marketing Material Fund up to $1,500 (50% match)
Two Township of Woolwich funds that help local businesses and organizations build tourism products and marketing aimed at visitors. Projects must be finished within the calendar year of the application. The 2026 round is closed.
Up to $25,000 in combined grants per property, across 5 grant streams. The Major Activity Grant is a separate tax increment grant.
The City of Waterloo's Uptown Community Improvement Plan has 6 grant streams for properties in uptown, around King Street, Erb Street and Bridgeport Road. They cover façades, fees and studies, accessibility, sustainability, interiors and large redevelopment projects. Owners and leaseholders in the project area can apply.
Up to half the cost of conservation work, to a maximum of $7,500 per calendar year
A City of Cambridge grant for owners of designated heritage property. It can pay up to half the cost of work that conserves a building's heritage features, to a maximum of $7,500 a year. Approved projects must be finished by November 1 of the same year.
Grant up to 50% of eligible costs: $500 minimum, $5,000 maximum for General Projects, $15,000 for Special Projects. Tax refund up to 40%.
Two City of Kitchener supports for owners of designated heritage property. The grant can pay up to half the cost of conserving, rebuilding or restoring significant heritage features. Owners of designated property may also be able to get a property tax refund of up to 40%.
