tourism funding for yukon businesses: the spark tourism micro-grant

Understanding this opportunity

The Spark Tourism Micro–grant provides funding for new and emerging entrepreneurs developing visitor experiences, products and services in Yukon, and eligible applicants can receive $1,000 to $5,000, with funding covering up to 100% of eligible project costs.

The program is designed to:

  • Help new and emerging Yukon tourism entrepreneurs get started
  • Support new visitor experiences, products and services
  • Support tourism ideas with long-term environmental, social and economic benefits
  • Support tourism ideas that can grow into larger future projects and experiences

are you ELIGIBLE?

Spark is intended for Yukon-based applicants developing new or emerging tourism businesses, experiences, products or services, not for established businesses simply looking to expand what they already provide.

You may be eligible if you are:

  • A Yukon resident who is at least 16 and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • A Yukon-based business
  • A Yukon First Nation government
  • A Yukon First Nation development entity
  • A Yukon community society or not-for-profit association

Yukon residents must have lived in Yukon continuously for at least one year. Businesses and organizations must be in good standing with Yukon Corporate Affairs and applicable laws where required. The application must come from you directly, since third parties cannot apply on someone else’s behalf.

is spark a good fit?

Spark is a competitive grant rather than an automatic one, with a total budget of $150,000 a year shared across three intakes and an evaluation committee that scores every application. Meeting the basic eligibility rules gets your application reviewed, but it does not guarantee funding or the full $5,000.

The Government of Yukon defines “new and emerging” in two ways. You either run a new tourism business that has been operating for less than a year or is just getting started, or you run an existing business that is creating an entirely new product or service that would bring you into the tourism industry for the first time.

Spark is likely a good fit if:

  • You are starting a tourism business or have been operating one for less than a year.
  • You run a business outside of tourism and want to launch a completely new visitor experience, product or service.
  • Your idea is fresh for the Yukon and has room to grow into a larger project over time.
  • You can explain who your visitors are, why they would want this experience and how it will keep going after the grant.

Spark is probably not the right fit if:

  • You already operate in tourism and want to expand, refresh or add to what you offer.
  • You are looking for funding for a website redesign, a vehicle, a building or everyday operating costs.
  • Your business does not serve visitors, even though it is based in the Yukon.
  • You have already started or finished the work you want funded.
  • You can't complete the project within a year.

Applications are scored on four areas: sustainability (30%), long-term vision and viability (25%), innovative concept (25%) and your capacity to deliver the project (20%). Priority is given to innovative ideas, new and emerging entrepreneurs, First Nations entrepreneurs and organizations, and projects that support environmental, social and economic sustainability.

what isINELIGIBLE?

Spark is focused on new tourism ideas and early-stage entrepreneurs, so some projects and expenses do not qualify, including:

  • Website redesigns for existing businesses
  • Large capital purchases or leases, including vehicles, building construction, real estate and heavy machinery
  • Projects already receiving other funding for the same activity
  • Work completed outside the dates of the funding agreement
  • General operating supplies and consumables, such as office supplies and printer ink
  • GST, PST or HST
  • Meals and accommodation
  • Alcohol and cannabis
  • In-kind contributions
  • Fundraising, awards, sponsorships and loans
  • Activities eligible under the Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund

Eligible Expenses

Spark funding can cover up to 100% of eligible project expenses, with successful applicants receiving between $1,000 and $5,000, and that funding may be used for:

  • Bringing a new tourism experience or service to market
  • Research and development
  • Website development and branding
  • Testing new visitor experiences
  • Training and capacity building
  • Equipment and supplies
  • Community engagement activities

Training-related travel may be approved case by case at the lowest available economy airfare, and out-of-territory training is only considered when no suitable option exists in Yukon. Meals, per diems and accommodation are not covered.

Multiple black upward arrows of increasing heights showing growth and progress

how to apply

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  1. Check if you qualify:

    Review the Spark Tourism Micro-grant guidelines and confirm that you and your proposed tourism project meet the eligibility requirements.

  2.  Discuss your project:

    The Government of Yukon recommends contacting its Destination Development team before applying. They can provide guidance on your project, and they are also willing to review your application and give feedback before you submit it.

  3. Complete your application:

    Apply through the Government of Yukon funding portal and provide information about your tourism idea, project plan, budget and long-term plans.

  4. Submit before the deadline:

    The current intake opened August 1 and closes October 15, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. MST. Regular Spark intake deadlines are February 15, June 15 and October 15. All applications in an intake are assessed together after it closes, so submitting early does not lead to a faster decision or a better chance of funding. The amount awarded in each intake depends on how many applications come in, so apply when your project is ready rather than rushing to an earlier intake.

  5. Wait for a funding decision:

    Applications are assessed during the 30 business days after the intake closes, and applicants in the current intake can expect to hear the outcome by November 27. Approved applicants must sign a Transfer Payment Agreement, and funded activities and expenses must fall within the dates of that agreement. Payment is issued within 30 business days of signing, and the project must be completed within a year. Recipients must submit a final report and keep proof of payment for one year. If reporting isn’t completed or the money isn’t spent on the approved budget, some or all of the funding may have to be returned.

Apply Here

At Oi Marketing, we help Yukon tourism businesses turn website and branding plans into finished projects. If you are considering the Spark Tourism Micro-grant and need a website or branding for a new tourism business or visitor experience, we can help you plan the project, define the scope and provide a quote for your application.

The application itself needs to come from you, but we can help you plan the project, define the scope and prepare a quote to include with it. Keep in mind that GST is not a covered expense.

If you are considering applying for Spark funding and want to discuss your website or branding needs, contact us to see how we can help.

Contact Us

*This article is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Yukon or the Spark Tourism Micro-grant, and funding is not guaranteed. For official eligibility requirements, deadlines and applications, please refer to the Government of Yukon directly.*