Buy BC Partnership Program — Industry Associations, Boards or Councils

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.

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.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

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.

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.

Eligible geographic areas

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.

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%.