OCAF has a two-stage application process…
First time applicants, and those requiring further information or assistance with the application, should contact OCAF staff prior to submitting a stage 1 application. Organization must start the application process approximately eight months prior to an event.
Download OCAF Program Guide
Download OCAF Stage 1 Application Form: (PDF) (MS Word)
OCAF has a two-stage application process which ensures that organizations do not dedicate significant time, effort and resources to an ineligible project. Please refer to “Important Dates” for a current list of stage 2 application deadlines.
Stage 1 requires the applicant to complete a three-page form with basic information about the proposed project and target market. This application is reviewed by program staff. If the project meets the general eligibility criteria, applicants will be provided with the Stage 2 application form.
The Stage 2 application requires the development of a detailed business case that includes a marketing plan, attendance and revenue projections and an analysis of the benefits of the project for the community. Stage 2 applications are reviewed by the OCAF board once staff has done a preliminary assessment.
Repayment
Repayment of a portion of the investment is required in all cases and forms part of the legal agreement between OCAF and successful applicants. The repayment is required within 60 to 90 days after the completion of the event. The repayment formula is based upon the size of the applicant’s operating budget and the project’s earned revenues.
|
Category |
Repayment |
To Maximum of |
|
| A | Annual budget over $10 million | 15% project gross earned revenue | 50% OCAF investment |
| B | Annual budget $1 million to $10 million | 15% project gross earned revenue | 40% OCAF investment |
| C | Annual budget under $1 million | 15% project gross earned revenue | 30% OCAF investment |
| All projects in Northern Ontario | 15% project gross earned revenue | 30% OCAF investment | |
| All projects in cities or municipal regions with populations under 100,000 | 15% project gross earned revenue | 30% OCAF investment | |
For applications under the “Free or low admission” rule, the repayment is fixed, based on the maximum repayment for the applicant’s category.
The repayment formulae above applies to first time applicants, or to those requesting investment three or more years after their previous application. For applicants returning to OCAF after two years, the maximum repayment increases by 10% for all applicants.
Important Considerations
OCAF Board and staff have identified certain success indicators and benchmarks:
- The Board typically considers projects with total attendance figures of at least 1,000 in rural areas and 10,000 in large urban centres. Special consideration will be given to projects with attendance between 7,500 and 10,000 in large urban centres or between 750 and 1,000 in rural and northern areas if there is a strong case for tourism potential.
- The Board reviews the level of investment requested relative to the number of attendees. In general, the Board supports projects at no more than $5 per attendee.
- OCAF is mainly dedicated to help applicants promote projects to non-local audiences. Usual Board practice is to fund projects for an amount not higher than the applicant`s marketing expenses.