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Journalism & media grants in Ontario

19 journalism grants, media grants, and business programs a publisher in Ontario, Canada can pursue in 2026 — 3 Ontario-specific, plus Canadian country-wide programs, each with its official source.

Applicant type

19 programs found

6 of these are repayable loans, not grants.

GrantMedia / publisher

Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) + Changing Narratives Fund stream

Canadian Heritage (delivered by News Media Canada, CRFC/Community Media Coalition, OLMC consortium)

Salary support for hired/freelance journalists (org-dependent)

Eligible Canadian media orgs producing civic journalism for underserved communities; private non-community broadcasters & CBC/Radio-Canada excluded.

Local journalismDiversity in media

Status: Active (2025–2027 cycle)·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantMedia / publisher

Canada Periodical Fund — Special Measures for Journalism

Canadian Heritage

Formula-based on editorial expense

Print magazines & print (non-daily) community newspapers; free/low-paid circulation; ≥80% Canadian editorial content; daily newspapers & digital-only ineligible.

Publisher operations

Status: Annual (extended via Budget 2025, $38.4M over 3 yrs from 2026-27)·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantMedia / publisher

Canada Periodical Fund — Aid to Publishers

Canadian Heritage

Formula-based

Canadian paid-circulation magazines & non-daily newspapers meeting circulation thresholds.

Publisher operations

Status: Annual·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantMedia / publisher

Canada Periodical Fund — Collective Initiatives (incl. Changing Narratives Fund)

Canadian Heritage

Project-based

Projects increasing sustainability of magazine & community newspaper industries; note Business Innovation component eliminated April 1, 2026.

Publisher operationsDiversity in media

Status: Annual (2025-26 & 2026-27)·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
Tax creditMedia / publisher

Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit (CJLTC)

Canada Revenue Agency

35% of eligible newsroom labour (Jan 1 2023–Dec 31 2026; reverts to 25% after); cap raised to $85k/employee

Must be a designated Qualifying Journalism Org (QJO); no broadcasting licence; Canadian ownership if a share-capital corp.

Tax credit

Status: Active (rate window ends 2026)·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
MixedMedia / publisher

Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization (QCJO) designation

Canada Revenue Agency

Enabling designation (gateway to CJLTC, donee status, subscriber credit)

Corp/partnership/trust operating in Canada; produces original news; follows journalistic processes; reviewed by Independent Advisory Board.

Tax credit

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
MixedMedia / publisher

Registered Journalism Organization (qualified donee)

Canada Revenue Agency

Tax-exempt donee status (can issue receipts)

Not-for-profit QCJO organized as corp/trust; purposes exclusively journalism.

Tax credit

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
In-kindMedia / publisher

Ontario government advertising set-aside for QCJOs

Government of Ontario

25% of ad spend of 4 largest agencies directed to QCJOs

QCJO-designated outlets based in Ontario.

Publisher operations

Status: Active·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
LoanGeneral businessRepayable — not a grant

Futurpreneur Startup Program (+ BDC co-lend)

Futurpreneur Canada (non-profit)

Up to $75,000 ($25k Futurpreneur + $50k BDC) + 2-yr mentorship

Canadian citizen/PR aged 18–39; business ≤24 months old; full business plan + 24-mo cash flow.

Youth entrepreneur

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
LoanGeneral businessRepayable — not a grant

Futurpreneur — Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP)

Futurpreneur / RBC

Up to $75,000

Black entrepreneurs, 18–39, otherwise per core program.

Youth entrepreneurDiversity in media

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
LoanGeneral businessRepayable — not a grant

Futurpreneur — Indigenous Entrepreneur Startup Program

Futurpreneur

Up to $60,000

Indigenous entrepreneurs, 18–39.

Youth entrepreneur

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
LoanGeneral businessRepayable — not a grant

Futurpreneur — Newcomer Program

Futurpreneur

Up to $25,000

Newcomers in Canada <60 months, 18–39.

Youth entrepreneur

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
LoanGeneral businessRepayable — not a grant

Futurpreneur — Side Hustle Program

Futurpreneur

Up to $15,000–$25,000 (part-time ventures)

18–39; must maintain other employment 12 mo.

Youth entrepreneur

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantGeneral business

NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)

National Research Council Canada

Avg ~$500k; program budget ~$437M/yr

Canadian SMEs (≤500 staff) doing technology innovation/R&D.

Export & innovation

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
Tax creditGeneral business

SR&ED Tax Incentive

Canada Revenue Agency

35% enhanced ITC on first $3M (Budget 2025 doubled limit toward $6M) eligible R&D

Canadian-controlled private corps doing eligible R&D.

Tax credit

Status: Annual·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantGeneral business

CanExport SMEs

Global Affairs Canada

Up to $50k; covers ~50% eligible export-marketing costs

Canadian SMEs developing new export markets.

Export & innovation

Status: Annual (refreshed eligibility 2026)·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
LoanGeneral businessRepayable — not a grant

Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

ISED (via banks)

Up to $1.15M (loan through your bank)

Canadian small businesses (rev ≤$10M).

Startup / small business

Status: Rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantGeneral business

Ontario Starter Company Plus

Government of Ontario

$5,000 grant

Ontario businesses; no age cap.

Startup / small business

Status: Annual / rolling·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site
GrantGeneral business

Ontario Summer Company

Government of Ontario

Up to $3,000

Students aged 15–29.

Youth entrepreneur

Status: Seasonal·Last verified Jul 8, 2026

Verify on official site

Provincialcoverage is seeded and non-exhaustive, and provided for research only. Confirm the current deadline, amount, and eligibility on each provider's official site before applying. Loans and tax credits are badged distinctly from grants.

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