Dufferin County is inviting local businesses, nonprofits, municipalities and economic development groups to meet provincial representatives and discuss grant programs at the 2026 Fall Funders Forum.

The event is being hosted in collaboration with the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and will take place on Thursday, December 3 from 9 am to noon at Monora Park. It will provide local organizations and stakeholders that are interested in provincial funding opportunities with direct access to funders to help them better understand available supports, eligibility criteria and application timelines.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about upcoming grant programs and their timelines
• Understand eligibility requirements and evaluation priorities
• Build relationships directly with funders and other regional stakeholders
• Ask questions in a supportive, in-person setting

The in-person event will feature presentations from representatives of:

• Ministry of Rural Affairs
• Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade
• Ministry of Labour Immigration Training Skills Development
• Ministry of Tourism Culture and Gaming
• Ministry of Agriculture Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)
• Community Futures
• Ontario Small Business Advisory Centres

Registration is required for the free event. Register here.

About the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus

The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) is a not-for-profit organization representing 15 upper and single tier municipalities in approximately 300 communities.

The Western region covers almost half a million square kilometres of territory, more than 90% of it rural including, approximately 25,000 kilometres of roads, more than 3,000 bridges and 24,000 culverts.

WOWC advocates on behalf of the member Counties and engages with other levels of government as one united voice on opportunities, common needs and issues of critical importance to Southwestern Ontario.

Learn more.