Application Deadline:
15 November 2026
About Organisation
The City of Toronto is Canada’s largest municipal government and supports initiatives that strengthen the city’s economy, communities, culture, and workforce. Through its creative industries funding programs, the City supports film, television, music, and creative technology sectors. Its funding initiatives aim to improve employment pathways, strengthen industry capacity, and help organizations respond to changing workforce needs. The Skills Development Grants Toronto program specifically supports practical training in trades, crafts, and technical skills where labour gaps exist. The program also encourages initiatives that improve access to creative industry careers for equity-deserving communities and strengthen Toronto’s growing creative economy.
About the Grant
The Skills Development Grants Toronto program supports workforce development initiatives that provide practical, employment-focused training for Toronto’s creative industries. The program prioritizes below-the-line technical and crew roles, including post-production, visual effects, animation, digital workflows, trades, crafts, and other technical occupations. Funding can also support mid-career upskilling, cross-training, mentorship, paid placements, and employment pathways. The program aims to address existing labour shortages while helping participants develop skills that match real industry demand. Priority may be given to initiatives supporting equity-deserving communities and creating pathways into technical and crew-based employment. Funding is limited and most grants are relatively small.
Who can Apply?
Applications are open to eligible Canadian not-for-profit and charitable organizations, urban off-reserve Indigenous-led organizations, and community centres that are part of the Association of Community Centres. Applicants must be located in Toronto or deliver the proposed funded services to Toronto-based individuals or entities. Organizations must not owe money to the City of Toronto or be in default of existing City agreements. Projects should focus on practical workforce development, employment readiness, and technical skills connected to Toronto’s creative industries. Eligible initiatives may include training in post-production, VFX, animation, digital workflows, trades, crafts, and other high-demand technical roles.
How to Apply?
Applicants should identify a genuine skills or labour gap within Toronto’s creative industries and design employment-focused training around that need. The proposal should explain the skills being taught, target participants, industry demand, training methods, partnerships, employment pathways, and measurable outcomes. Applicants should demonstrate organizational capacity and explain how the project supports equity and inclusion where applicable. Applications must be submitted through the City of Toronto’s online application portal.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 15 November 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
