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Tourism Development Fund

Sault Ste. Marie is focused on building a community where people want to visit, live, and do business. Tourism is a key driver in achieving this vision. The Tourism Development Fund was created to support and grow the city’s tourism sector through two funding streams: Festivals and Special Events, and Attractions and Product Development.

This is a discretionary fund with limited annual funding. Meeting program criteria does not guarantee approval, as some projects may better align with funding priorities. Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate a strong potential to attract out-of-town visitors and generate overnight stays at accommodations that contribute to the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). Retroactive funding will not be considered.

The program offers two funding streams: Product Development and Events. Applicants may submit one application per funding stream within a 12-month period. Applications are accepted on a rolling intake, meaning there is no fixed deadline; however, only one application per stream may be approved in any 12-month period.

Events Stream

Product Development Stream

Evaluation

Funding Agreement

Event Stream Final Report

Product Development Final Report

Definitions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Eligibility
  • Assessment Criteria
  • Eligible Expenses
  • Ineligible Expenses
  • Short Form Application
  • Eligibility
  • Assessment Criteria
  • Eligible Project Costs
  • Ineligible Project Costs
  • Short Form Application
  • Events Stream Scoring Evaluation

  • Funding Agreement

    • Events Stream Final Report
    • Product Development Final Report

Frequently Asked Questions

Approved Projects

2026

2026 Approved Projects

2025 Approved Projects

2024 Approved Projects

2023 Approved Projects

Events Stream

The Festivals and Special Events Stream supports new and existing events, including festivals, conferences, and sporting tournaments, that have the potential to attract a significant number of visitors to Sault Ste. Marie.  

Applicants may apply for up to $20,000 under this stream.  In special circumstances where the event may have a significant impact on tourism, consideration may be given to projects requiring higher funding levels.

  • Evidence of attracting out-of-town visitors and participants
  • Detailed event budget, including all expected revenue and expenses
  • Demonstrated capacity and readiness to deliver the event, including a clear project plan
  • Timing of the event within the tourism season (low, shoulder, or peak)
  • Partnerships and collaboration with other tourism or community organizations
  • Marketing and promotional strategy to reach target and out-of-town audiences
  • Post-event evaluation plan to measure success and impact
  • Alignment with priorities of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie including bidding to host tournaments, conventions or downtown/ waterfront activation
  • Alignment with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie’s adventure and outdoor recreation strategy
  • Potential to attract international visitors, including USA
  • For local or “homegrown” events, potential for growth and expansion year over year
  • For-profit, not-for-profit, government, education institutions, and individual event planners may apply.
  • The event must be hosted within the immediate Sault Ste. Marie area (where Sault Ste. Marie is the preferred place for overnight stays)
  • The event must show that a significant portion of the overall participants will be from out of town.
  • Applicants may have one project approved under this stream at a time within a 12-month period. Maximum 2 projects per applicant.
  • Applications are to be submitted a minimum of 90 days in advance of the event date. For significant events (budget over $100,000), a minimum of 120 days is required. Late applications may not be recommended for approval.
  • Audio Visual
  • Equipment Rentals
  • Entertainment
  • Event Insurance
  • Guest Speaker Fees
  • Influencer Fees
  • Local Transportation
  • Merchandise / Swag
  • Officials Fees
  • Permit Fees
  • Photography
  • Safety and First Aid
  • Sanction Fees
  • Signage
  • Staffing *with limitations
  • Travel Costs *with limitations
  • Website Fees
  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis
  • Contingency funds
  • Donations or sponsorship contributions
  • Entertainment not essential to event program
  • Expenses paid by another person/organization/funder
  • Fines or penalties or retroactive permit costs
  • Food and Beverage
  • Loan repayments/ debit servicing
  • Retroactive expenditures
  • Sponsor Recognition
  • Travel or accommodation without approval
  •  

Product Development Stream

The Attractions and Product Development stream provides support for upgrades to – or the creation of new – infrastructure, business, or products that will create a quantifiable improvement to the tourism offerings in Sault Ste. Marie.

Applicants can apply for up to $50,000. In special circumstances where the event or initiative may have a significant impact on tourism, consideration may be given to projects requiring higher levels of funding.

  • Potential to attract new or extend stays for visitors to Sault Ste. Marie.
  • Likelihood of increasing overnight stays at accommodation properties that contribute to the Municipal Accommodation Tax.
  • Ability to appeal to target markets, including out-of-town and repeat visitors.
  • Creativity and uniqueness of the product, attraction, or upgrade.
  • Alignment with current tourism trends or market gaps.
  • Alignment with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie’s strategic priorities
  • Demonstrated commitment to high-quality visitor experiences.
  • Clear project plan, timeline, and achievable objectives.
  • Realistic budget and financial plan.
  • Capacity of the applicant to deliver the project successfully.
  • Opportunities for local business partnerships, employment, or community engagement.
  • Long-term sustainability and potential for ongoing tourism growth.
  • Defined metrics to track project success (e.g., visitor numbers, revenue, ratings, or feedback).
  • Evidence of anticipated return on investment in the tourism sector.
  • Regulatory compliance costs
  • Ongoing operational costs
  • Non-tourism asset maintenance
  • Debt
  • Alcohol or cannabis
  • Prizes

Application Process

Complete the online shortform intake to provide basic details about your project.

Meet with Tourism staff to review your project and discuss next steps.

If your project is approved in principle, you will receive a full application to complete.

Once your full application is submitted and approved by staff it will be brought to the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Board of Directors for review.

Upon approval from the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Board of Directors, the project is brought to City Council for final review and approval.

Applicants are notified and informed of the status of their funding application throughout the process and will receive final notification once the project is approved/declined.

  • Successful applicants must sign a standardized funding agreement.
  • All expenditures are paid up front by the applicant.

Applicants must provide proof of payment (e.g., bank statements) showing that the funds have cleared to the appropriate vendor.

All projects must submit a final report and participate in project debrief with Tourism staff.

Reporting Requirements

Definitions

An individual, including an Ontario resident, who travels 40 kilometers or more or crosses the Ontario border to partake in a tourist activity. This is in line with the definition used by the provincial government.

The number of days a tourist spends in a location. For example, if a local event attracted 100 tourists for three days, it generated a total of 300 visitor days.

Events hosted or facilitated by a legally established non-profit organization or by a group of people who are sponsoring the event for general community benefit without the intent of generating a profit. All proceeds from the event must be used for non-profit purposes, and no proceeds are permitted to be given to event organizers or participants.

Events held for the specific purpose of generating a profit for the organizers or participants.

An event deemed as having a major economic, social or promotional benefit for the community (~2500 room nights / significant visitor spending).

FAQ's

The Tourism Development Fund is a municipal funding source open to the public to support events and product development within the tourism sector.  The funds for the TDF are collected through the Municipal Accommodation Tax.

Funding is open to all applicants, including private individuals, not-for-profit entities, for-profit entities, educational institutions, and government.

There are two streams of funding: Events and Product Development.  Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate visitor attraction and increase in overnight stays at accommodations that collect the Municipal Accommodation Tax.  For a list of previously approved projects click here. 

There are two streams of funding: Events and Product Development.  Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate visitor attraction and increase in overnight stays at accommodations that collect the Municipal Accommodation Tax.  For a list of previously approved projects click here. 

The Events Stream supports new or existing festivals, sporting events, conferences, and special events that attract visitors to Sault Ste. Marie for a defined date or time period. Funding is intended to help enhance event delivery, increase out-of-town visitation, and support marketing efforts that drive overnight stays and economic impact.

The Product Development Stream supports projects that create, expand, or enhance tourism experiences, infrastructure, or amenities that are available on an ongoing basis. These projects are intended to strengthen the community’s year-round tourism offering and improve the visitor experience over the long term.

The events stream has a maximum allocation of $20,000 and the product Development stream has a maximum allocation of $50,000.  *In exceptional circumstances, this allocation can be increased.

Funds from the Tourism Development Fund are provided as a grant and do not need to be repaid, provided all terms and conditions of the funding agreement are met.

Applicants may submit one application per funding stream within a 12-month period. Applications are accepted on a rolling intake, meaning there is no fixed deadline; however, only one application per stream may be approved in any 12-month period.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The approval process takes up to three months (once conceptually approved), as timelines must align with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Board and City Council meeting schedules.

Funding is not retroactive; therefore, expenses incurred prior to the project application are not considered eligible.

Yes, Tourism Development Fund grants can be used alongside other funding sources to support a project. However, the same expense cannot be claimed under multiple funding programs.

Yes, out-of-town visitation is a key priority for this funding stream. Applications that clearly demonstrate the potential to attract visitors from outside the area are given greater consideration.

Applications are assessed based on how well they meet the eligibility requirements for each funding stream. Each project is scored, and the score determines the recommended level of funding support.

Applications are reviewed and vetted by staff in the Tourism Department.  Projects will be assigned to a designated staff member to provide support throughout the process.

All funded projects must submit a final project report within 6 months of project completion. Each funding stream has its own designated final report form.

Funds are disbursed after the project is complete (all reports submitted and verified) and all expenditures have been confirmed and approved. Once final approval is granted, applicants can expect payment within approximately two weeks.

Applicants must notify their designated staff member of any significant changes that affect the scope of their project. Each situation will be reviewed, and any necessary adjustments to funding or reporting requirements will be determined based on the nature of the changes.

If a project is cancelled, applicants must notify the City as soon as possible. Each situation is considered individually, and any funding decisions—whether partial, full, or none—are made based on the specific circumstances of the cancellation.

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