Ontario Creates — OMIF Music Company Development

Insider Tip

The rolling three-year cap of $250,000 means you need to pace your requests across program years — plan a multi-year funding strategy rather than maxing out in year one. For first-time applicants, contact OMO at [email protected] at least two weeks before deadline for a pre-submission consultation. The ineligibility of capital expenditures is strict: you cannot claim equipment purchases, only amortization. If you're requesting $50K+, a business plan is mandatory — prepare it carefully to demonstrate measurable ROI. Diversity in your artist roster is explicitly an evaluation criterion — document it.

Success Profile

An Ontario-based domestic record label, music publisher, or music management company with revenues between $125,000 and $1,000,000 that is actively investing in recording, artist development, and roster expansion. Strong candidates have 3+ signed artists or writers, a track record of commercial or critically recognized releases, and a clear plan for growing their roster's revenues over the next 12-24 months.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed against OMIF Music Company Development objectives including: financial health and sustainability of the company, quality and diversity of the artist roster, track record in discovering and developing talent, measurable outcomes and return on investment, contribution to job creation in Ontario's music sector, plans for enhancing diversity within the company and roster, and overall strength of the business plan (for $50K+ requests).

Application Steps

Required Documents 8

Eligible Expenses 9

• Artist roster expansion (signing, developing, and supporting new artists)
• Professional recording and music production costs (studio, mixing, mastering)
• Music publishing administration and catalog development
• Artist management activities (career development, booking, marketing support)
• Domestic business travel for eligible activities
• Amortization of equipment (capital equipment itself is ineligible — only amortization)
• Staff and contractor costs directly related to eligible activities
• Marketing and promotion for domestic releases and artist campaigns
• Business capacity enhancement activities (systems, tools, professional development)

Ineligible Expenses 6

• International business travel
• Capital equipment purchases (equipment itself — only amortization is eligible)
• Recoverable taxes (GST/HST)
• Volunteer time as in-kind contribution
• Activities outside the approved eligible activity window
• Costs not directly related to eligible business activities (general overhead)

Intake Periods

Two intakes per program year. Intake 1: typically April (April 23, 2026 for 2026-27). Intake 2: typically September (September 10, 2026 for 2026-27). Portal for Intake 2 opens July 13, 2026.

Deadline Notes

Two intakes per program year. 2026-27 Intake 1: April 23, 2026 (activity period April 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027). Intake 2: September 10, 2026 (activity period August 1, 2026 – January 15, 2028). Intake 2 portal opens July 13, 2026. First-time applicants should contact OMO at least two weeks before the deadline.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Companies with revenues at or below $125,000 annually
• Organizations not based in Ontario
• Individual artists (the stream funds companies, not individual artists — artists apply through Music Creation)
• Companies that have already received $250,000 in OMIF MCD support in the most recent three consecutive program years
• Government bodies

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

If funded activities are not completed as described, or actual expenditures fall significantly below the approved budget, Ontario Creates may require repayment of all or part of the grant. Unused funds are always returned.