The Tourism Development Fund (TDF)
The application intake for the Tourism Development Fund is now closed.
Program Overview
Each fiscal year, the City of Nanaimo entrusts Tourism Nanaimo with funding to incentivize strategic tourism development. Initiatives that incrementally improve Nanaimo’s competitive appeal as a preferred multi-night visitor destination are eligible to apply for, and potentially receive funding in the form of 50% reimbursement of approved, incurred costs, to a maximum TDF contribution (as determined by Tourism Nanaimo). It is the sole decision of Tourism Nanaimo to award full, partial or decline funding based on their assessment of project relevancy and impact.
The Tourism Development Fund does not support demand generation efforts (i.e. marketing, advertising and promotions), but rather supports eligible, incremental development initiatives that enhance the quality and/or supply of Nanaimo tourism products and experiences.
Successful applicants will receive payout(s) via the submission of an invoice, proof of costs incurred, proof of payments and a completed claim form (provided by Tourism Nanaimo). All successful applicants will have 10% of funding withheld until project completion and subsequently, the submission of the final report within 30 days of project completion (final report template will also be provided). Applicants that do not submit claims and/or final reports within 30 days of project completion risk forgoing funding support.
TDF Program Objectives
The Tourism Development Fund is intended to incentivize applications for projects that clearly demonstrate an effort to do one or more of the following:
- Implement incremental capacity enhancements that enable growth, enhancement and/or diversification of the tourism product/experience inventory in Nanaimo.
- Sustainably enhance the quality and/or the quantity of market ready, saleable/commissionable tourism products and experiences in Nanaimo;
- Support research-based opportunity identification and/or decision making, as it relates to tourism products/experiences in Nanaimo; and/or,
- Directly supports and/or enhances a current Tourism Nanaimo program and/or strategic priority.
Eligible Applicants
All private sector, not-for-profit, and non-government organizations that are able to meet, at minimum, one program objective, are encouraged to apply. Applicants must, without exception, clearly demonstrate how their proposed ask will meet one or more said objectives.
Nanaimo Hospitality Grants Programs
The Nanaimo Hospitality grants are administered by the Nanaimo Hospitality Association (NHA) and are housed on the NHA website.
Please click HERE to go to the NHA website. For more information please contact the Nanaimo Hospitality Grants Administrator at grants@nanaimohospitality.ca.
Additional Funding Sources
You can access additional funding opportunities from a number of grants, funds and community foundations.
Explore these opportunities by visiting the links below. Need assistance? Contact us for support!
General Funding
- Nanaimo Foundation Grants
- Victoria Foundation Grants
- Vancouver Foundation Grants
- BC Gaming – Community Gaming Grants
- Civic Info Grant Database
- Province of BC – Economic Development Funding & Grants Search Tool
- Government of Canada – Concierge Funding and Business Support Tool
Arts, Culture & Heritage Funding
- City of Nanaimo – Culture & Heritage Operating Grant
- City of Nanaimo – Culture & Heritage Project Grant
- City of Nanaimo – Heritage Facade Grant
- City of Nanaimo – Heritage Building Tax Exemption
- City of Nanaimo – Downtown Event and Revitalization Funding
- Nanaimo Hospitality Association – Feasibility Study Grant
- Nanaimo Hospitality Association – Festival & Events Grant
- Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Local Festivals
- Creative BC Grant Programs
- BC Arts Council Grants
- BC Gaming – Community Gaming Grants
Sports & Recreation Funding
- Nanaimo Hospitality Association – Nanaimo Hospitality Sporting Events Grant
- Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Infrastructure Grants
- BC Gaming – Community Gaming Grants
- HostBC Grants
Development & Enhancement Funding
- City of Nanaimo – Community Program Development Grant
- City of Nanaimo – Downtown Nanaimo Event and Revitalization Fund
- Tourism Nanaimo – Tourism Development Fund (TDF)
- Nanaimo Hospitality Association – Feasibility Study Grant
- Nanaimo Hospitality Association – Festival & Events Grant
- Island Coastal Economic Trust Grant Programs
- Province of BC – Economic Development Funding & Grants Search Tool
- Work BC – Canada-B.C. Job Grant
- Work BC – Community and Employer Partnerships
- Work BC – Job Creation Partnership
- National Research Council – Youth (15 – 30) Employment Program
- Real Estate Foundation of BC – General Grants Program
- Government of Canada – CanExport Program
- Government of Canada – Western Economic Diversification
- Government of Canada – Concierge Funding and Business Support Tool
Major Bank & Credit Union Foundations, Sponsorship & Donations Funding
- RBC Foundation
- TD Bank Donations and Sponsorship
- Bank of Montreal Donations and Sponsorship
- Scotiabank Fund
- Coastal Community Credit Union Funding Programs
- First West Foundation
- First National Bank Grants