An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake

Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund

by Grants Ontario / Transfer Payment Ontario

Also known as: NORDS Fund · NORDS

The NORDS Fund shares resource-development benefits with Northern municipalities: $15 million per year over five years starting 2026-27, allocated among all 144 Northern Ontario municipalities to help offset resource development's impact on municipal infrastructure. Every Northern municipality has an identified allocation (sized by factors like municipal size and capacity) - this is allocation-based, not competitive. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis via Transfer Payment Ontario; questions to nords@ontario.ca.

Amount
$15 million per year over five years starting 2026-27, allocated among all 144 Northern Ontario municipalities; each municipality has an identified allocation reflecting factors such as municipal size and capacity - no fixed per-project min/max

ontario.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Instrument
Grant (non-repayable)
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Who qualifies
Municipalities
  • All 144 municipalities in Northern Ontario are eligible
  • Northern Ontario defined as the territorial districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming, consistent with the Places to Grow Act delineation (O. Reg. 416/05)

ontario.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Application process

  1. Ongoing intake - apply via Transfer Payment Ontario against your municipality's identified allocation
  2. General questions to nords@ontario.ca

ontario.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Common questions

Does my municipality have to compete for NORDS funding?

No - each of the 144 Northern Ontario municipalities has an identified allocation amount it is eligible for, factoring in municipal size and capacity. You apply on an ongoing basis via Transfer Payment Ontario to access your allocation.

How much is available?

$15 million per year over five years starting in 2026-27, split across the 144 municipalities. Individual allocations vary - contact nords@ontario.ca or check the NORDS Fund Program Guidelines for your municipality's amount.

Which municipalities count as Northern Ontario?

Those in the territorial districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury (including Greater Sudbury), Thunder Bay and Timiskaming - the Places to Grow Act delineation. Muskoka is not included.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

www.ontario.ca