RTO 9’s Partnership Fund is now open for applications! The intent of the partnership allocation is to encourage collaboration between the RTO and a variety of partners to leverage regional resources and to support new or incremental tourism activities that support the implementation of the RTO’s operations plan.

Each year, RTO 9 works hand-in-hand with tourism partners to enhance experiential tourism across the South Eastern Ontario region. RTO 9’s Partnership Fund is designed to forge strong and diverse partnerships that either build on existing tourism products or introduce new tourism products. These projects serve to enhance the region’s diversity of offerings to create a competitive advantage in tourism experiences throughout the South Eastern Ontario region. The Partnership Fund is not a grant program, it is a Partnership Program that requires a buy-in of 50% of eligible project costs from the applicant.

For those interested in applying, it is important to carefully review the guidelines, check eligibility, gather quotes and ask questions before putting together an application.

Important to note:

  • Applicants must provide Proof of Incorporation, a CRA Business Number, Certificate of Indian Status Registry Number or a Métis Registry Number.
  • Applicants must have $2M Commercial General Liability Insurance.
  • Applicants for Photography & Videography and training under Digital Capacity Building funding categories must use vetted RTO 9 vendors.
  • A letter of acknowledgment from the applicant’s local DMO/DMMO/DMP is mandatory.
  • All partner contributions must be made electronically – via either EFT or e-transfer.
  • Applications are submitted through an online form that can be re-accessed from the same device.

There are 3 categories to apply under:

  1. Photography & Videography
  2. Digital Capacity Building
  3. Marquee & Wayfinding Signage

RTO is hosting an Information Session on the Partnership Fund Program on Thursday, March 12th, 2026 at 10:00am. Register here.

For more information on the partnership fund and how to apply, click here.