Second Intake: September 14 to 28, 2026

RTO7 is opening a second intake of the 2026/27 Partnership Program to support late fall, winter and early spring, as well as projects preparing for the 2027 summer season.

The Partnership Program provides matched funding ($1:$1) and works collaboratively with tourism stakeholders to develop and market projects that support visitation and visitor spending in BruceGreySimcoe. It is not a traditional grant program. Projects are developed and delivered in partnership with RTO7.

For this intake, we are looking for new projects that can generate short-term visitor demand, strengthen tourism products and experiences, or help tourism businesses reach new markets.

Applications will be accepted from September 14 to September 28, 2026.
 

Available Program Streams

Social Media Advertising

Reach targeted audiences through professionally managed paid advertising on Meta platforms using RTO7's Agency of Record. 

Projects should have a clear visitor-focused offer or call to action and support travel to BruceGreySimcoe. 

Partner minimum contribution: $2,000

Digital Advertising

Reach prospective visitors through targeted digital advertising on Google and Meta, managed by RTO7’s Agency of Record, to increase awareness, consideration and travel planning.

Projects should support measurable tourism objectives and connect visitors with experiences, accommodations, events or other reasons to travel to the region.

Partner minimum contribution: $12,000

Storytelling

Work with qualified content creators, influencers, writers, journalists or other storytellers to share compelling tourism stories and experiences.

Projects should inspire travel to BruceGreySimcoe, longer stays or exploration of new communities and experiences.

Partner minimum contribution: $750

Launch-Ready Experience Development

Have an experience that is close to market but needs specialized support to get it ready for visitors?

RTO7 can help fund specialized third-party services required to develop, test or launch a new visitor experience. Partners contribute 50% of eligible project costs, along with the staff time and operating resources required to bring the experience to market. Please note that RTO7 can not pay for operational or capital expenses and funds must flow to a third-party, not the partner. 

Projects should result in a new, market-ready visitor experience that can be launched by March 31, 2027.

Eligible activities could include:

• Hiring a subject matter expert to develop programming, interpretation or storytelling for an experience.
• Third-party testing or evaluation of a newly developed visitor experience.
• Working with an experienced third party to bring three or more businesses together to develop a coordinated, purchasable visitor experience.
• Photography or video required to launch and market a newly developed experience.

Partner minimum contribution: $5,000

Click here to download and review the Partnership Program Guidelines

What We Are Looking For

This second intake is intended to support projects that can make an impact within a shorter delivery period. Strong applications will demonstrate how the project can contribute to one or more of the following:

• Generate incremental visitation to BruceGreySimcoe.
• Encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more in the region.
• Build demand during late fall, winter and early spring.
• Prepare a new visitor experience or tourism product for the 2027 summer season.
• Create collaboration between tourism businesses or communities.
• Develop more weather-resilient visitor experiences.
• Incorporate or support overnight accommodations.
• Strengthen tourism offerings, including arts and culture, culinary experiences, wellness and spas, skiing and winter recreation.
• Reach new audiences and markets.

These examples are intended as guidance and are not an exhaustive list.

Who Can Apply?

The program is open to eligible tourism operators, destinations, tourism organizations, municipalities, associations, interest groups and tourism event organizers operating within Bruce, Grey or Simcoe counties.

New and existing RTO7 partners are eligible to apply.

Organizations may submit more than one application. Each application must: :

• Be for a new project.
• Not duplicate a project currently being delivered through an existing RTO7 Partnership Program agreement.

Applicants submitting multiple projects should identify their priorities within their applications.

All projects must demonstrate the financial and organizational capacity required to complete the proposed work.

Important Dates

Applications open: September 14, 2026
Applications close: September 28, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Project completion deadline: March 31, 2027
All project activities, deliverables and eligible expenses must be completed within the approved project period.

Before You Apply

The Partnership Program is competitive and funding is limited. We strongly encourage you to discuss your project with the RTO7 team before applying to confirm its eligibility and the most appropriate program stream. 

Schedule a call with either:

• Alex Hogan - (scheduled vacation from August 24 to August 28)
• Kim Clarke (scheduled vacation from August 31 to September 4th)
• Robyn Hewitt

Before applying:

1. Speak with the RTO7 team about your proposed project.
2. Confirm that your project can be completed by March 31, 2027.
3. Review the Partnership Program Guidelines and requirements for the program stream you are considering. 
4. Sign in to a Google account (directions here) before starting your application so your progress is saved for 30 days. Otherwise, the application must be completed in one sitting. Be sure to save a copy of your submitted application.
5. Submit your application by 5:00 p.m. on September 28, 2026.

Apply

Applications are available for:

• Social Media Advertising
• Digital Advertising
• Storytelling
• Experience Development

Application links will be available on September 14, 2026. 

 

2025/26 partnerships: