WELLINGTON COUNTY EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

A New Grant Program Designed to Enhance Visitor Experiences

Applications now CLOSED

BACKGROUND

Wellington County is a growing tourism destination, offering a rich variety of visitor experiences. Local tourism businesses and stakeholders have shown a strong interest in collaborating to enhance or develop high-value, and high-quality visitor experiences that increase visitor spending, strengthen our local offerings, and position Wellington County as a desirable tourism destination within Ontario.

The Wellington County Experience Development Program is a new grant program designed to enhance and develop visitor experiences that showcase Wellington County’s natural, agri-food, cultural, and historical richness. By supporting local businesses and organizations, the program supports an increase of market-ready experiences that attract visitors to Wellington County.

PROGRAM GOALS

  • Increase the quantity and quality of visitor experiences.

  • Increase destination exposure by creating engaging initiatives that are highly shareable and experiential.

  • Provide visitors with new opportunities to stay longer and increase overnight stays.

  • Increase tourism economic impact.

OBJECTIVES

  • Highlighting experiences and events that showcase and celebrate Wellington County’s natural, culinary, and cultural richness.

  • Develop rural visitor experiences to encourage visitor dispersion across the County.

  • Prioritizing recurring or seasonal experiences over single-day events.

  • Supporting initiatives with a potential for regional marketing amplification.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

  • New tourism products or significant enhancements to existing tourism products.

  • Projects in rural areas are prioritized.

  • Experiences must appeal and be marketable to tourists (those travelling 40 kilometers or more away.)

  • Projects must be completed between July 1, 2025 – March 15, 2026.

  • Applicants must provide a minimum of 50% matching contribution of total project expenses (in-kind contributions may be considered)

ELIGIBLE COSTS

Eligible costs include:

  • Small capital, materials, and supplies that enhance visitor experience

  • Equipment purchases and rentals

  • Signage and wayfinding

  • Marketing and Advertising (project specific)

  • Website development

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

  • Tourism businesses, non-for-profit organizations, and festivals and events in Wellington County.

  • Collaborations with other businesses/organizations are highly encouraged.

  • Applicant businesses/organizations must be a visitor-friendly establishment/event located in Wellington County.

INELIGIBLE REQUESTS

  • Large capital/infrastructure expenses

  • Regular operational expenses (i.e. staff salaries and staff wages)

  • Charitable contributions

  • Alcohol purchase, distribution, and licensing

  • Awards, prizes, raffles and donations

  • Building and other permits and associated fees

  • Legal, audit, or interest expenses

  • Lottery purchases

  • Political contributions

  • Pre-existing deficit funding (grant or loan)

  • Individuals or unincorporated entities

FUNDING AMOUNT AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be eligible to apply for up to $3,000 for up to total of 50% of the total project cost.

Successful applicants will be eligible to receive half of the approved amount upon signing the funding agreement, and half upon submitting the End of Project Survey, a financial sheet outlining expenses and applicable invoices/proof of payment (see links below). These are to be submitted to the Wellington Waterloo Community Futures office (email) no later than 60 days from the completion of the project.

All approved applicants are required to provide a final project report, including financials and invoices/proof of payment to the Wellington Waterloo Community Futures no later than 60 days from the completion of the project.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The initial application intake to the program will be accepted from June 3 – June 15, 2025. Should additional funding be available beyond the initial intake, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted online by filling out the application form.

This Grant Program is brought to you by: