- Events that take place throughout the year are eligible.
- Events that promote the 3 pillars of Bracebridge’s tourism brand, which include Taste, Create, and Live.
- Sport tourism events.
- Events that target audiences largely from out of Town and that have a regional, provincial, national, or international scope.
About the Event Tourism Grants
The Event Tourism Grant Program is an annual funding initiative offered by the Town of Bracebridge that supports festivals, events, and sporting events that drive tourism and generate economic benefits for the community through visitor spending, overnight stays, and increased tourism activity. Local festivals and events play an important role in supporting community engagement while contributing to the town’s tourism economy.
Event Tourism Grants are available annually to eligible tourism event organizers hosting events in Bracebridge during the 2027 calendar year. To qualify, events must demonstrate alignment with the Town’s three tourism pillars: taste, create, and live, while showing a positive impact and economic return for Bracebridge’s tourism sector.
The Event Tourism Grant Program is part of the Town's overall Event Strategy, which encourages year-round visitor spending and support to event organizers.
If you have any questions, the Tourism and Cultural Development Officer can be reached at (705) 645-5264 ext. 3512 or by email at ecdev@bracebridge.ca.
- Events must take place in Bracebridge.
- Town of Bracebridge funding is not to exceed 33% of the overall event budget, to a maximum of $5,000.00.
- Consideration will be given to events that assist the Town in achieving its various event tourism goals and provide corporate and tourism branding recognition opportunities.
The Festival and Event Strategy Goals
- Build a stronger downtown;
- Create a vibrant and diverse arts community;
- Create partnerships within the community;
- Increase spending in the community;
- Expand our season (both high and low season events);
- Encourage return visits to the community;
- Encourage development of volunteers/staff (i.e. event planning courses);
- Develop resources to assist those planning events in the community (permit process reviews, handbook, insurance issues);
- Keep municipal and other facilities “full/utilized”;
- Provide the best economic impact possible in the community;
- Further support sport tourism initiatives;
- Encourage events to become financially sustainable;
- Enhance visitation in the traditional off-season; and
- Align with the Bracebridge tourism brand.
- Applicants must outline how they plan to track visitor participation, specifically:
who their visitors are;- where they are coming from;
- if they are utilizing local accommodation; and
- level of spending while visiting.
- Applicants need to create opportunities for the Town’s contribution to be publicly recognized.
- Applicants must outline their plans to make their event financially sustainable over time (i.e. what actions are incorporated into the event over time so that it is viable without the need for the Event Tourism Grant).
- Demonstrate they meet the general criteria in the application.
- Funds can be used to assist with:
- encouraging event participation and pre/post event tourism; or
- to build/purchase minor pieces of equipment required to host the inaugural event as well as any future events.
- Existing events must demonstrate they meet the general criteria in the application; and
- Must be undergoing substantial change (e.g. new venue location) or are adding new significant components (e.g. new entertainment) to the event; Or
- Demonstrate that they are using the Town’s financial assistance to leverage funding opportunities from larger funding programs (e.g. federal or provincial).
- The application procedure is as follows:
- Consultation with Economic Development Staff;
- Completion of the Event Grant Application Form;
- Review of the application by staff based on criteria;
- Recommendations made to Council through annual budget deliberations;
- Communication of the decision from staff to applicant regarding the approval/decline of the application;
- Execution of an Event Tourism Grant Agreement;
- Creation of a Media Release / Photo Opportunity with the Mayor and Event Organizer; and
- Completion of the Event Evaluation after the event.
- Event Tourism grants should not be used for:
- Research (except for exit surveys needed to determine demographics of visitors/participants);
- Transportation;
- Payment of Town or other taxes;
- Operating or capital deficits incurred in prior years by an organization;
- Agencies that are primarily funding bodies to other organizations; and
- Donations to organizations.
Contact Us
Town of Bracebridge
1000 Taylor Court
Bracebridge, ON P1L 1R6
Phone: (705) 645 5264