RTO 9 Partnership Fund Program (South Eastern Ontario tourism)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
An annual 50/50 cost-share from Regional Tourism Organization 9 for for-profit tourism businesses in South Eastern Ontario, covering digital capacity building (websites, booking tools, design and one-on-one digital marketing training), professional photography and videography, and marquee and wayfinding signage. RTO 9's share runs from $1,500 to $15,000 per project, HST included, and RTO 9 pays the project's vendor invoices directly once the business has sent in its own 50%. Incorporated businesses, sole proprietors with a CRA Business Number and Indigenous operators can apply; non-profits, municipalities, chambers, BIAs, museums and destination marketing organizations cannot. The 2026-2027 application window is closed, and funding for the cycle depends on RTO 9's transfer payment agreement with the Ministry.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit tourism businesses only: an Ontario or federal corporation, or a sole proprietorship registered with a CRA Business Number or through the Ontario Business Registry
- Indigenous operators who are 51% or more Indigenous owned and controlled can apply with any of the above, or with a Certificate of Indian Status Registry Number or Metis Registry number
- The project must be located in the region served by RTO 9, South Eastern Ontario, and aim to increase visitation to the region
- The project must fit one of three categories: Digital Capacity Building, Photography and Videography, or Marquee and Wayfinding Signage
- Must carry at least $2 million in General Commercial Liability insurance naming RTO 9 as an additional insured for the project
- Must submit a letter from the local destination marketing organization (DMO, DMMO or DMP) and discuss the project with RTO 9 before applying
- Must be able to pay its 50% share of the budget to RTO 9 by electronic transfer within 30 days of approval; Ontario grants such as Experience Ontario or ReConnect cannot fund that share
- Not eligible if the business received RTO 9 Partnership Fund money in the last three years; one application per business
- Photography, videography and digital training must use RTO 9's vetted vendors, and all paid work must be done by unaffiliated third-party vendors who accept electronic payment
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- $1,500 to $15,000 (50% cost-share)Partnership Fund projects may receive up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a minimum matching contribution of $1,500 and a maximum of $15,000, HST inclusive; RTO 9 notes some exceptions may apply. The business pays its 50% to RTO 9 up front and RTO 9 pays all project invoices. The 2026-2027 program had an estimated allocation of $219,000 from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- 2026-2027 application window closed; next intake not announced
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Moderate — standard application process
Moderate competition — prepare a strong application
Easy — minimal documentation
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipTreat the pre-application conversation as part of the application: meeting RTO 9's operations manager or attending an information session earns priority in scoring, and the DMO letter is mandatory, so start with your local destination office well before the window opens.
Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Applicant is a non-profit, municipality, BIA, chamber of commerce, museum, membership-based association or destination marketing organization
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Everything you need to win RTO 9 Partnership Fund Program
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 5
Ineligible Expenses 6
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
- 5 more application steps
- 5 more required documents
- 5 eligible expenses
- 6 ineligible expenses
- Intake periods
- Deadline notes
- Ineligible organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Stacking partner data not yet available.
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow RTO 9 Partnership Fund Program Compares
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about RTO 9 Partnership Fund Program