| Project/Event | Funding Amount |
|
1 x 1 Downtown Art Collection |
$2,500 |
|
50 Years: A Birthday Celebration |
$7,200 |
|
A Very Vintage Christmas in Niagara |
$8,000 |
|
Battle of Lundy's Lane - 212th Commemoration |
$8,000 |
|
Bear Scratch: A Mini-Festival of New Works |
$2,500 |
|
Día de Muertos Niagara Falls 2026 |
$8,000 |
|
Irish Weekend in Niagara |
$7,200 |
|
Niagara Ukrainian Family Festival 2026 |
$8,000 |
|
Niagara's Wishing Well. Art Installation |
$7,400 |
|
Tesla Fest - A Tesla Symphony |
$8,000 |
|
The Downtown Niagara News |
$3,200 |
Cultural Development Fund
Are you an artist, performer, or group with a creative idea? The Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund helps bring exciting arts and culture projects to life in our city. Each year, we support local projects that engage the community in arts, culture and heritage-related activities.
What the fund supports
We support projects that:
- Take place in Niagara Falls
- Welcome everyone, and is easy to access
- Collaborate and get people, public, private and government groups to partner together and share costs
- Have a clear goal and make a lasting impact that can be measured
You can apply for funding to help with:
- Art exhibitions, events and public programs
- Workshops, tours, and public talks
- Community celebrations, interactive experiences and performances
- Research and planning for future culture-based projects
- Projects that use innovative ways to help people learn or feel included through art and culture
We welcome creative ideas that grow the culture sector, unite people, and celebrate Niagara Falls' history, people, and identity.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are:
- An artist or performer living in Niagara Falls
- A local organization, group, or collective that operates in Niagara Falls
- Planning a project that will happen in Niagara Falls between March 2027 and February 2028
Funding levels
- Full Grants: Up to $10,000 to one project
- Microgrants: Up to $2,500
Microgrant program
The NFCDF Microgrant program makes cultural funding more accessible by offering a simplified application process for small-scale projects. Compared to the full grant stream, applicants are asked for less detailed planning, evaluation, and reporting information, reducing barriers for first-time applicants and smaller organizations, and making it easier for artists, collectives, and organizations to access support.
Important dates
- Application opens: Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Info session for applicants: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 6:00 pm on Zoom (must reserve a spot). Zoom registration link
- Grant Application Writing Workshop with Kate Leathers: Monday, October 26, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Zoom registration link
- One-on-one consultation with Kate Leathers: Mondays, November 2 and 9
- Application deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 pm
- Project timeline: March 2027 to February 2028
- Funding announcements: Expected by March 2027 (based on City Council budget approval)
- Final reports due: Approved projects must submit a financial report within one month of completion to receive their final installment of funding
Information sessions
General info session for applicants
Wednesday, October 21 at 6:00 pm on Zoom
Get an overview of the application process and key requirements, with an opportunity to ask questions before you apply.
Grant application writing workshop with Kate Leathers
Monday, October 26, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Zoom
This two-hour workshop is an introduction to the key steps for preparing grant applications to support your artistic practice. The session will cover approaches to telling your artistic story and preparing the core elements of a grant application (project plan, budget, support materials, etc), and workshop instructor Kate Leathers will connect these techniques with the Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund application. The workshop is suitable for both individual artists and collectives/organizations.
One-on-one consultation with Kate
Mondays on November 2 and 9 (evenings by appointment)
Connect with Kate via video call for up to 20 minutes of direct consultation about your NFCDF application. These sessions are suitable for individuals and collectives/organizations that have prepared a first draft of their NFCDF application. This is a short session where it will be possible to discuss only one or two sections of the application. If you book a session, you will be asked to identify the area(s) of the application that you want help with and to send what you have already prepared for Kate review before the consultation.
How to book a consultation:
Kate will share a Google Meet appointment booking link at the Monday, October 26 workshop. You do not need a Google account to book consultations or to use Google Meet.
How to apply
- Before you submit your application, speak with the Cultural Division staff. We can help with the process and give advice.
- Choose the correct online form for your project
- Review the form for full details about eligibility, required documents, and the evaluation criteria
- Apply online by the due date
Applications and final report:
Full details of the fund and criteria are available in the application package.
- Apply for a full grant
- Apply for a microgrant
- Reporting for project completion: Successful applicants who receive funding are required to submit a final report before receiving the final payment
Apply for a full grant Apply for a micro grant Submit your final report (if you received funding)
2026 fund recipients
Each year, the City of Niagara Falls Culture Committee selects recipients for funding from the Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund (NFCDF).