Creative Industries Funding - Skills Development Grants

City of Toronto · The City of Toronto offers Skills Development Grants to support initiatives that build practical skills and employment readiness in film, television, music, an…

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Overview

The City of Toronto offers Skills Development Grants to support initiatives that build practical skills and employment readiness in film, television, music, and creative technology sectors. Grants prioritize programs that serve equity-deserving communities and bridge participants into paid placements or entry-level crew positions. Organizations must be Toronto-based not-for-profits or charitable organizations delivering services to Toronto residents or entities.

Eligibility

Must be a legal not-for-profit or charitable organization in Canada, an urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organization, or community centre part of the Association of Community CentresLocated in Toronto or delivering proposed project/services to Toronto-based entities or individualsNot indebted to the City or in default of any agreements with the CityOrganization must demonstrate capacity to deliver the program and have track record in the creative industries

Eligible projects

Upskilling or cross-training for mid-career crewTraining in post-production, VFX, animation and related digital workflowsPrograms designed with and for equity-deserving communities that bridge participants into paid placements, mentorships, or entry-level crew positionsInitiatives that build practical skills in trades, crafts or technical skills with existing labour gaps

Financing terms

Grants awarded as one-time funding with accountability metrics required throughout the initiativeFinal grant payment contingent on tracking and reporting metrics at project conclusionOnly one application per program or event per calendar yearAvailable funding is limited; most grants are small

How to apply

1Check eligibilityConfirm you meet every criterion listed above before you start.

2Prepare the project packageProject description, budget with quotes, team, and recent financial statements.

3Apply on ca.mar.medallia.comGovgrant members can draft the application with AI and export a formatted PDF.

4Respond to reviewer questionsMost programs come back with one round of questions within a few weeks of submission.

Additional information

Multiple intake deadlines throughout the year based on project start dates: February 1 (April 1-Dec 31 start), May 1 (July 1-Dec 31 start), August 1 (Oct 1-Dec 31 start), November 15 (Jan 1-June 30 next year start)Applications received after deadline not normally considered; exceptions at discretion of sector officeDecisions generally communicated within four weeks; decisions are finalDoes not support: production companies, hiring for private company operations, artistic development for individual artists, or production of creative worksPriority given to initiatives focused on below-the-line skills development and technical/crew-based rolesContact: filmtoronto@toronto.ca for Film, Television & Digital Media; music@toronto.ca for Music; creativetech@toronto.ca for Creative Technology

At a glanceMaximumVariesProviderCity of TorontoDeadlineRolling intakeStatusOpenRegionOntarioOfficial sourceca.mar.medallia.com ↗

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