Tourism thrives on exciting ideas and the people who bring them into reality.
Tourism doesn’t grow on its own—it thrives when passionate people bring fresh ideas to life. The Cornwall Tourism Development Fund exists to help organizers and entrepreneurs turn big visions into real experiences that draw visitors, support local businesses, and boost the economy.
Whether you’re launching something new or expanding an existing experience, event, or attraction, the TDF is available to help back ideas that position Cornwall as a must-visit destination.
The TDF at a glance
The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is here to help you put Cornwall on the map. Whether you’re planning an event, enhancing an attraction, planning to build an anchor attraction, or creating an experience that has the potential to draw visitors to our fair city, this fund could contribute to your success. Let the TDF help you create something unforgettable.
Focus
Support for events, tournaments, conferences and business initiatives that attract visitors to the region.
Date Established
2019
Funding
Up to $25,000 in non-repayable funds
Administrators
The Tourism Development Corporation of Cornwall, a not-for-profit organization that operates independently and at arm’s length from the City of Cornwall.
Governance
A Board of Directors with three (3) members, supported by recommendations from 11 members of the TDF Advisory Committee.
Funding Source
The TDF is funded by a portion of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT), a 5% fee the City of Cornwall charges visitors when they book local accommodation.
What is a tourist?
The TDF defines a tourist as someone who leaves their hometown for an overnight stay in Cornwall and/or travels a minimum 40 kilometres outside of their hometown for a same-day trip.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants
You’re invited to apply for the TDF if you're an organization or an individual planning an event, tournament, conference, or business idea that brings visitors to the area and boosts tourism.
Projects
The TDF is designed to support projects in Cornwall, Akwesasne or SDG Counties that demonstrate significant impacts to Cornwall’s image and/or economy through:
- Increases in tourist attendance, overnight stays, and visitor spending in Cornwall
- Innovative strategies for advertising/marketing to potential visitors
Ineligible
THE TDF does not fund:
- Regular business operation expenses
- Infrastructure
- Business expansion without significant tourism impacts
Funding Streams
2-day project: Up to $12,500
3-day project: Up to $25,000
2-day project: Up to $6,125
3-day project: Up to $12,500
Provincial, national, or international: Up to $25,000
Provincial, national, or international: Up to $12,500
Provincial, national, or international: Up to $15,000
Provincial, national, or international: Up to $7,500
Intake Deadlines
Scoring Matrix
We looking for applications that demonstrate an increase in tourist spending, positive exposure for Cornwall and its tourism assets, and/or a contribution to the “vibe” of the city.
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Advisory Committee, and the Board using a scoring matrix based on the following criteria:
- Description of the project (business, event, tournament etc.) (10 points)
- Marketing and other efforts used to draw tourists to the area (30 points)
- Economic impact on the city and overnight stays (20pts)
- Professional and experienced personnel / organizer(s) (10 points)
- Sound budget and business strategy (15 points)
- Plans for success or growth (15 points)
We also allocate extra points (up to 5) for activities that are:
- new and innovative
- held in off-peak tourist season (September to April)
Funded Projects
2024
Cotton Candy Classic 2024
1784: 240th Anniversary
Big Ben Ski Centre
CAPE 2024
U16 Cornwall Lions Boys Tournament
St. Lawrence by Bike
Crack up Comedy
Cornwall District Minor Baseball Tournament
Cornwall Waterfest
Cornwall Road Warriors 2nd Annual Car Show
Glengarry Highland Games
Ferme Butte & Bine
Diversity Cornwall 2024 Pride Parade
Cornwall Ribfest
St. Lawrence Marathon
Cornwall Triathlon, Duathlon & 5k
le Festical International Afro et Diversite de Cornwall
BaitFuel Fishing Tour
2024 Apples & Arts Studio Tour
Lost and Sound Festival 2024: Lost Villages Brewery
April Wine Oct 18 @ Aultsville Theatre
Akwesasne Powwow
Cornwall Culture Fest
Cornwall Curling Club
Big Buck Event
2023
Disco Wheels Deux
Aultsville LIVE
Haunted Drive-Thru
Cornwall Culture Fest
Cornwall Art Walk
Crackup Comedy Festival
Cornwall Road Warriors First Annual Car Show
30th Annual River Symposium
Cotton Candy Classic 2023
Cornwall Sea Lions Snowflake Invitational Swim Meet
Festival des Sports et des Cultures de Cornwall
32nd Annual Apples & Art Studio Tour
Great Waterfront Trail Adventure 2023
Glengarry Highland Games Economic Impact and Tourist Tracker Study
CAPE 2023
CWL Provincial Convention 2023
The Ghost Walk for Charity
Cornwall Triathlon, Duathlon & 5k
Akwesasne Powwow
Cornwall Ribfest
St. Lawrence Marathon
Diversity Cornwall 2023 Pride Festival
Cornwall Wildcats OSFL 2023
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Canada
Essential Kitchen
Cornwall Girls Hockey Association
Baitfuel Fishing Tour
Glengarry Highland Games
2023 Shorty Jenkins Curling Classic
12 Days of Holiday Cheer – DBIA
Harmony Concerts
2023 Bordertown Challenge
Glengarry Highland Games Economic Impact and Tourist Tracker Study
United Empire Loyalist Association Of Canada 2024 Conference
Haunted Drive-Thru
The Amazing Race Canada - Season 10
2022
Festival Sportif De Cornwall
Glengarry Highland Games
Cornwall 1784
CAPE 2022
Rock the River
Cornwall Waterfest
UELAC Head office relocation
Cotton Candy Classic
Perch Magazine
Cornwall Art Walk
Cornwall Pride 2022
Cornwall Wildcats AAA
Ribfest
Cornwall Triathlon
Monkland Gets Ambushed
Renegade Bass Tournament
Fields of Gold
Ghost Walk for Charity
Cline House
Apples & Art
Franny Cup
Cornwall Girls Hockey
Cornwall Comedy Festival
Cornwall Minor Basketball
Poptronic
2021
Cornwall Arts Centre
Art Walk
Escape Tours
Perch Magazine
Jolly Tours
Hockey Canada
Apples and Art
Holiday Sparkle
Lost Villages Brewery
2020
Cline House
BMX Track
Arts Centre
Your Arts Council
Cornwall Oriels Baseball
Ribfest
Canadian Pro Bass Tour
Perch Magazine
Art Walk
Holiday Sparkle
Cooper Marsh
Waterfest Dragon Boat Race 2021
Waterfront Tours
Fields of Gold (SPARK recipient)
Cornwall Food Tours (SPARK recipient)
Oneida Grand Event Centre (SPARK recipient)
2019
Shorty Jenkins Curling Classic
Apples & Art Studio Tour
Pan American Bass Championship
Cornwall Arts and Culture Centre
Cornwall Girls Hockey Association
Cornwall Pride 2020
DEO 35ans de fierte francophone
Cornwall Comedy Festival
Cape 2020
CurlON
Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Seaway Valley Theatre Company
Cornwall Sea Lions Snowflake Invitation Swim Meet
Country Side Adventures
Coopers Marsh
Wonderful World of Whisky Show
Juvenile National Broomball Championship
Harmony Concerts
Cotton Candy Classic 2020
Eco Farm Day 2020
Join the rEvolution
Ready to make Cornwall a destination that tourists can’t resist?
