Buy BC Partnership Program — Industry Associations, Boards or Councils
BC, Canada
Funding to promote British Columbia agri-food and seafood
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJuly 02, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get funding up to $75,000 to cover the costs associated with marketing and promotional activities designed to increase consumer demand and sales of British Columbia agri-food and seafood products within the province.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides a structured approach to funding through defined cost-sharing mechanisms, allowing recipients to efficiently allocate resources for enhanced marketing initiatives in British Columbia.
- Cost-sharing with the Ministry, where industry associations, boards, or councils can receive 70% of project costs covered by the Ministry, requiring a 30% contribution from the applicant.
- A funding range for projects starts from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $75,000 per year for eligible industry bodies.
- Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis; recipients must first finance the entire project before claiming their share from the program.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant empowers industry associations to enhance consumer awareness and boost sales of local agriculture, food, and beverage products in British Columbia. Eligible projects focus on leveraging the Buy BC brand through marketing and promotional efforts.
- Developing and producing Buy BC-branded digital, radio, print, transit, and/or TV advertisements.
- Designing and printing Buy BC-branded labels and packaging for products.
- Creating and distributing Buy BC-branded marketing collateral and promotional materials such as videos, brochures, and posters.
- Participating for the first time in virtual or in-person market development and sales expositions within B.C.
- Conducting in-store product demonstrations and promotions within B.C. using Buy BC licensed goods.
- Covering staff wages directly related to implementing these project activities.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 40,000
Creating marketing materials to advertise BC salmon at food fairs
$ 20,000
Printing new packaging for BC honey jars with Buy BC logos
$ 25,000
Participating in a Vancouver food expo to showcase BC organic vegetables
$ 60,000
Running a paid ad campaign on local radio to promote BC blueberries
$ 35,000
Organizing in-store demonstrations of BC craft cheese at local supermarkets
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and their ability to support local marketing activities.
- The applicant must be a primary agriculture and/or seafood producer or cooperative; an agriculture, food and beverage and/or seafood processor; or an agriculture, food and/or beverage industry association, board or council.
- The applicant must have a head office in B.C. or be authorized to do business in B.C.
- The applicant must be able to carry the cost of their total project until completion before applying for reimbursement through the program.
- The applicant must submit only one application per intake.
- The applicant must be able to self-fund a minimum percentage of the total project budget: 50% for first-time recipients and all initial funding call applicants, 65% for returning recipients starting in 2024, and 30% for industry associations.
- The applicant must have been approved for and hold a valid Buy BC logo licence.
- Producers, processors, and cooperatives must have a minimum of $30,000 in annual revenue for the past two years.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Buy BC Partnership Program include:- Primary agriculture and/or seafood producers or cooperatives.- Agriculture, food and beverage, and/or seafood processors.- Agriculture, food, and/or beverage industry associations, boards, or councils.Applicants must have a head office in B.C. or be authorized to do business in B.C., hold a valid Buy BC logo licence, and must have at least $30,000 in annual revenue for the past two years for producers, processors, and cooperatives. Additionally, they must self-fund a minimum percentage of the total project budget according to their category.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is specifically targeted towards the agriculture, food, and beverage sectors in British Columbia. As such, companies and organizations outside these categories may be ineligible.
- Businesses that are not primary agriculture or seafood producers.
- Companies that are not agriculture, food and beverage, or seafood processors.
- Organizations that are neither industry associations, boards, nor councils within the agriculture, food, or beverage sectors.
- Entities without authorization to do business in British Columbia.
- Businesses that do not have a valid Buy BC logo licence.
- Companies with annual revenue less than $30,000 for the past two years (applicable to producers, processors, and cooperatives).
- Applicants who have already submitted an application for the intake period.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Buy BC Partnership Program funds marketing activities that elevate the presence and sales of local British Columbia agricultural, food, and beverage products. These activities aim to leverage the Buy BC logo as a symbol of quality and local pride.
- Paid advertising campaigns using Buy BC branding across various media platforms including digital, radio, print, and TV.
- Designing and producing packaging and labels incorporating the Buy BC logo to enhance product recognition and appeal.
- Creation and distribution of marketing collateral and promotional materials such as videos, brochures, and signs featuring the Buy BC brand.
- Participation in market development and sales expositions within BC to increase brand exposure and engage directly with buyers.
- Executing in-store demonstrations and promotional events to boost consumer interaction and product sampling.
- Funding for staff wages directly tied to executing project activities aligned with the Buy BC objectives.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible applicants for the Buy BC Partnership Program must have a head office in British Columbia or be authorized to conduct business within the province. This criterion ensures that the funding supports local initiatives and economic growth within British Columbia.
- Organizations with a head office in British Columbia.
- Entities authorized to do business in British Columbia.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure your organization qualifies as a primary agriculture/seafood producer, processor, cooperative, or industry association based in B.C.
- Verify your ability to self-fund a minimum percentage of the project budget according to the cost-share ratios outlined.
- Step 2: Obtain Buy BC Logo Licence
- Complete the application process for a Buy BC logo licence by June 18, 2024.
- Ensure your products are appropriately licensed to use the Buy BC logo.
- Step 3: Download Program Guide
- Access the Program Guide for detailed information about the program, eligibility, and application process.
- Step 4: Attend Information Session
- Participate in the online webinar on June 11, 2024, to gain a better understanding of the application process.
- Step 5: Prepare Application
- Prepare a project proposal including one or more eligible activities such as advertising, labelling, marketing collateral, sales expositions, in-store promotions, or staff wages.
- Ensure all financial and logistical details are clear, including the project budget and cost-sharing details.
- Step 6: Submit Application
- Complete and submit your application between June 3, 2024, and July 2, 2024, by 16:00 PST.
- Ensure all required documents and details are included in your submission.
- Step 7: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive confirmation of your application submission, including any application identifiers or reference numbers.
- Keep this confirmation for your records and future communication.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications will only be accepted for the Producer & Processor funding stream during the June 2024 intake.
- Organizations must hold a valid Buy BC logo licence to be eligible for the grant.
- The application review process will take place from July 3 to August 30, 2024.
- Anticipated project start date is September 1, 2024.
- Project completion deadline is March 1, 2025.
- The cost-share funding ratio adjusts for returning recipients starting in 2024, increasing the applicant's share to 65%.
Apply to this program
Enhance Your Brand with the Buy BC Partnership Program
The Buy BC Partnership Program offers substantial funding opportunities for BC-based producers and processors aiming to strengthen their local brand presence and increase consumer engagement. This program assists businesses in implementing local marketing strategies that elevate the visibility and sales of agriculture, food, and beverage products originating from British Columbia.
In-Depth Look into the Buy BC Partnership Program
The Buy BC Partnership Program stands as a pivotal initiative designed to support and amplify the marketing efforts of local producers and processors within British Columbia. Administered with an annual funding pool of up to $2 million, this program encourages primary agriculture and seafood producers, as well as processors, to partake in marketing activities that promote their products to a broader audience. By adopting the Buy BC logo, these entities can harness a recognizable symbol of quality and locality that resonates with consumers seeking fresh, trustworthy products.
The program’s main aim is to bolster the market presence of B.C. products through various marketing activities. Eligible activities encompass a diverse range of promotional strategies. Producers can engage in paid advertising, utilizing digital, print, radio, and television platforms to reach wider audiences. Labeling and packaging initiatives allow for products to be distinctly marked with the Buy BC logo, thereby enhancing product recognition and consumer trust.
Furthermore, participants can create comprehensive marketing collateral, including brochures, posters, and social media content, all highlighting the Buy BC logo to reinforce brand identity. Market development opportunities, such as participation in sales expositions and in-store demonstrations, provide additional avenues for engagement, allowing producers to directly interact with consumers and promote their offerings.
A notable requirement for applicants is their ability to finance the total project cost upfront, with the possibility of reimbursement once the project is completed. This arrangement necessitates that businesses possess sufficient liquidity to sustain initial expenses. The cost-sharing model further determines applicant contributions, with varying percentages based on the applicant’s previous participation and annual revenue. This tiered system ensures that entities, regardless of size, have access to support proportional to their capacity.
For those unfamiliar with the program’s intricacies, the application process begins on June 3, 2024, providing ample time for prospective applicants to prepare their submissions. A vital aspect of the program is its merit-based evaluation, which aspires to fund projects aligned most closely with established objectives. This competitive assessment not only scrutinizes the feasibility of proposed activities but also their potential impact in promoting BC products.
The Buy BC Partnership is more than a financial aid opportunity; it's a strategic endeavor that nurtures economic growth by embedding local identity within market strategies. By tapping into this initiative, BC producers and processors can anticipate not only enhanced market presence but also a strengthened community connection through shared commitment to B.C.’s agricultural and seafood products. As such, the program plays a pivotal role in fortifying the B.C. economy while aligning with consumer demand for local, high-quality produce.
