Since 1999, the Government of Ontario has invested $47.75 million in the Fund and the success of the over 800 initiatives in which OCAF has invested has led to a healthy replenishment of the Fund for future projects. Repayments replenish the fund and support more events: the Government’s investment has already resulted in over $78 M of event funding.
OCAF has three specific aims:
- to increase cultural tourism by providing investments to assist Ontario cultural organizations to promote, market and present one-off or first-time events, or a significant expansion of existing activity, which are designed to attract new tourists and visitors to cultural events;
- increase the earned revenue capacity of the applicant organization; and
- support events that foster economic growth and contribute to job creation.
OCAF-funded events have attracted over 70 million visitors and generated earned revenues of over $235 million for applicant organizations.
OCAF Covid Recovery Policy Statement
Since March 2020, the board of the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund has taken a number of steps to ensure openness and flexibility for applying organizations during COVID-19. Guided by values of resilience and renewal, OCAF believes it can play an important role to help the cultural tourism sector transition through this pandemic period to recovery once the public feels comfortable participating in live events once again. To accomplish this, we have reviewed a number of the Fund’s criteria and have integrated greater flexibility into the application and repayment process. We continue to review our requirements in light of the hiatus in which the sector finds itself and will consider new definitions of attendance to include virtual participation. These changes to the guidelines may be temporary; we will ensure you are fully informed of further changes and requirements along the way. In the meantime, staff are always available to discuss your specific situation and make recommendations to the board, if appropriate.