Alternative Revenue Generation

Alternative revenue generation supports the City of Vaughan in maintaining one of the lowest property tax rates in the GTA, solidifying Vaughan’s status as a city of choice with a high quality of life and enhanced resident services. 

The City’s Economic Development department pursues innovative financial solutions to help support City programs, projects and services without relying on the City’s tax base. In 2022 alone, the City secured $9.1 million in non-tax revenue through grants, advertising, sponsorships and donations.

Digital Billboards image

Advertising

Opportunities are available for business promotion throughout the community, including advertising through digital billboards, City facilities and the Grow With Vaughan. Visit the Advertise webpage to learn more.

Digital Billboard Project

Digital billboards are one of the many ways Vaughan collects non-tax advertising revenue. The City was one of the first municipalities in Canada to establish a revenue-share model with a private digital billboard sign company to significantly increase non-tax revenue while expanding the City’s communication network. Under this innovative partnership, awarded through a competitive bidding process, small parcels of City-owned land are leased to the sign vendor to design, finance, build, operate and maintain digital billboards — at zero cost to the City. Plus, there is dedicated space in the rotation of these signs to promote City programs and initiatives. Three signs are currently in operation and will generate an estimated $6 million for the City over 15 years.

The City is exploring four new potential sites for digital billboards pending public consultation, including Maple Reservoir Park (Keele Street and Teston Road), Al Palladini Community Centre (Islington Avenue and Rutherford Road), Rainbow Creek Park (Highway 7 and Highway 27) and Jean Augustine District Park (Bathurst Street and Centre Street). 

Residents were invited to learn about non-tax revenue initiatives (including how the City is harnessing the potential of digital billboards), ask questions and share their thoughts at one of four drop-in Open Houses in October 2023. 

  • Open House #1: Oct. 24, 2023 - COMPLETE

  • Open House #2: Oct. 25, 2023 - COMPLETE

  • Open House #3: Oct. 26, 2023 - COMPLETE

  • Open House #4: Oct. 30, 2023 - COMPLETE

Those who couldn't attend in person were invited to visit the Have Your Say page to submit questions and read the FAQs to learn about how the signs would potentially be designed, financed, constructed, operated and maintained. 

Grants

Grants allow the City to deliver on vital community and city infrastructure projects that might otherwise be a financial challenge. Grants are awarded by various organizations, foundations, governments and government agencies, and require the City to develop thorough applications outlining the intended use of grant funds. 

 

In 2022, about $8.6 million in grant funding was awarded to the City.

 

Sponsorships

Sponsorships represent significant opportunities to offset the cost of City-run programs and events. Sponsorship arrangements may take various forms, including logo placements at community events or the acquisition of naming rights for new or recently refurbished parks and recreational facilities. 

 

In 2022, about $300,000 in sponsorships were contributed to the City and supported programs, including Grow with Vaughan and the Corporate Tree Planting Program. 

 

Visit the Sponsor webpage to help support community events and programs.

 

Donations

Donations are also responsible for a large portion of non-tax revenue collected by the City. Programs supported by donations have included the Spirit of Generosity Campaign, Vaughan Animal Services’ Adoption Fund, Parks, Forestry and Horticulture community beautification projects, Environmental Sustainability’s Mayor’s Monarch Pledge/Pollinator Gardens, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Services Education campaigns, and much more! 

 

In 2022, more than $16,000 in donations helped fund various initiatives, from recreation programs for low-income individuals and families through the RecAssist Fee Subsidy Program to financial in-kind contributions for the Vaughan Animal Shelter. 

 

Visit the Donate webpage to give back.

Additional Resources