Grants & Funding
Funding projects for a better Tofino
There are many organizations and individuals in our community that have the vision and capability to make Tofino a more vibrant and sustainable town. The District of Tofino supports many of these projects and initiatives through different grants. The District also supports tourism-based infrastructure projects with funding it receives from the Province's Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI).
Together with the distribution of community grants and the RMI-funded projects, we're making great things happen!
Grants
The District of Tofino offers financial grants in support of community-led projects and activities. They fall into one of the following three categories.
Arts, Culture & Heritage Grant
To support an artful and culturally engaged community, the District of Tofino Council will make funds available to eligible applicants for projects that enhance and support arts, culture and heritage within Tofino and surrounding region.
Up to a maximum of $4,000 per application is available to eligible applicants.
Eligible Use of Funds:
- Artists or cultural practitioner fees
- Coordinator expenses related to the project
- Supplies related to the project
- Venue rental costs
- Leveraging funding from other sources for the project
- Marketing of the project
The application period for 2024 has closed.
Event Support Grant
To support an artful and culturally engaged community, the District of Tofino Council will make funds available to eligible applicants for projects that enhance and support arts, culture and heritage within Tofino and surrounding region.
Up to a maximum of $4,000 per application is available to eligible applicants.
Eligible Use of Funds:
- Production expenses related to hosting a festival or event such as venue rentals, artist or cultural practitioner fees, audio/ lighting equipment rentals, volunteer appreciation expenses, supplies/ materials, etc.
- Event Coordination Fees
The application period for 2024 has closed.
Council Grants
The District of Tofino recognizes that local not-for-profit community organizations are valuable resources in helping the municipality provide a strong community focus. The District of Tofino Council is making funds available that will enhance the lives of local citizens.
Up to a maximum of $2,500 per application is available to eligible applicants.
Eligible Use of Funds:
- Activities that are accessible to and/or meet the needs of a significant portion of the community’s residents.
- Project activities that are completed within 12 months of receipt of the grant.
- Funds for recreation access which support activities that provide access to social and physical recreation programs.
The application period for 2024 has closed.
Not sure if you qualify for a grant?
Have questions about what's involved and how to proceed? First check out the Funding Guidelines for the grants listed above. If you still have questions, email our grants department and they'll be happy to help!
Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI)
The Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) is a Provincial program that provides ongoing incentive-based funding to assist small resort-oriented municipalities in maintaining and growing a robust regional tourism economy. Since these municipalities typically have a small tax base due to their size, the demands of their tourism activity often strain the resources available to provide infrastructure and programming. RMI funding allows these communities to dedicate resources to improving tourism-based infrastructure and amenities which would otherwise be unachievable with their small tax bases.
Funding for the program is confirmed annually, based on accommodation business generated in the previous calendar year, and subject to approval by the Province.
RMI Program Funding Allocation
Tofino’s RMI funding allocations are guided by Tofino’s Resort Development Strategy (RDS). Developed with key partners from the tourism sector, the RDS identifies the long-term vision for tourism development in Tofino and details how Tofino intends to achieve this vision and the objectives of the RMI Program.
Projects Funded Through RMI
- Downtown Vitalization
- Trails
- Improved Water and Beach Access
- Special Events and Festival Support
- Tofino Events Strategy
- Tourism Master Plan
- Seasonal Shuttle Service
- Arts and Culture Initiatives