How much funding can be received?

The Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations — Not-for-Profit provides comprehensive financing options to support diverse projects in the Canadian book industry. These options are designed to maximize impact through strategic funding allocations and conditions.

Funding can cover up to 100% of eligible expenses or $2,000,000 per project per fiscal year for not-for-profit organizations.
Overall funding is generally capped at 50% of eligible project expenses, unless a higher percentage is justified due to a lack of other funding sources.
For internship projects, funding is available up to 50% of eligible expenses or $15,000; this increases to 75% or $22,500 for interns from under-represented groups like Indigenous communities or visible minorities.
Aggregate support for any recipient is limited to $2,000,000 per year across multiple projects.
The total financial assistance from all government levels should not exceed 100% for not-for-profits and certain community organizations, or 75% for other organizations.
A grant payment involves fewer conditions, whereas a contribution may require a detailed funding agreement with specified terms and conditions.
Interim reporting and possibly audited financial reports are required for contributions exceeding $250,000.

Eligible projects & activities

The Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations grant supports a range of collaborative projects that broadly benefit the Canadian book publishing industry. These activities aim to enhance marketing efforts, leverage technology advancements, provide professional development, and offer internships within the industry.

Collective marketing projects that promote Canadian-authored books through strategic advertising and promotion.
Technology projects designed to improve communication, distribution infrastructure, and information management within the book industry.
Professional development initiatives offering training, workshops, and mentorship to help industry professionals gain new skills and share best practices.
Internship programs providing on-the-job training for Canadian interns, enhancing the development of emerging book industry professionals.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 90,000

Market research project to identify new markets for Canadian fantasy novels

$ 150,000

Launching an online platform for Canadian self-published authors

$ 100,000

Developing a training program for Canadian publishers on emerging digital technologies

$ 200,000

Hosting a national book fair to promote Canadian children's literature

$ 80,000

Digital marketing campaign to promote Canadian-authored eco-friendly books

$ 150,000

Acquiring new IT equipment for a Canadian-owned publishing house

Eligibility criteria of the Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations — Not-for-Profit program

To apply for this grant, organizations must meet specific criteria related to their ownership and type of project they propose.

The organization must be Canadian-owned and Canadian-controlled.
The organization must be incorporated under Canadian or provincial law.
Organizations must represent or be related to the Canadian book publishing industry.
Canadian teaching institutions specializing in the book industry are eligible for Professional Development projects.
Organizations representing Canadian libraries may be eligible but should contact the fund before applying.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for funding, your organization must be: a Canadian-owned and Canadian-controlled organization or professional association, representing or related to the Canadian book publishing industry; and incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province.Canadian teaching institutions with a specialization in the book industry are eligible for funding of Professional Development projects.Organizations that represent Canadian libraries may be eligible for projects that meet the objectives of the Canada Book Fund, but should contact us before applying.

Who is not eligible

The grant is focused on supporting organizations within the Canadian book publishing industry. Specific exclusions are in place to ensure the funds support industry-wide initiatives rather than individual entities.

Projects that benefit a single book publisher, Canadian-authored book, or an affiliated group of book publishers.
Organizations not incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province.

Eligible expenses

The Support for Organizations component of the Canada Book Fund offers collaborative opportunities aimed at enhancing the Canadian book industry. Eligible projects encompass initiatives in marketing, technology, professional development, and internships designed to benefit industry stakeholders and readers.

Marketing projects aimed at showcasing Canadian-authored books and developing local and international markets.
Technology projects designed to improve industry efficiency and adaptability, involving communication, distribution infrastructure, and technological resource development.
Professional development projects offering formal training and sharing best practices to equip industry professionals with new skills and knowledge.
Internship projects focused on hiring Canadian interns to gain valuable industry experience and contribute to organizational development.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is accessible to organizations based within any region of Canada. All Canadian-owned and controlled organizations incorporated under Canadian or provincial laws are eligible to apply.

Organizations incorporated under the laws of Canada.
Entities established under provincial laws.

Eligibility criteria of the Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations — Not-for-Profit program

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the fund's objectives and priorities.

Demonstrated industry need and support for the project, as well as value for money.
Demonstrated need for Canada Book Fund support.
Degree to which the project can demonstrate measurable results and, for repeat projects, improved results.
Added value from previous projects or activities.
A sustainability strategy that includes the ability to increase other funding sources.
Impact of the project on the Canadian book industry, such as lasting benefit and broad reach to a variety of stakeholders.
Collaboration or partnerships between organizations operating in different sectors of the industry or in both Canada’s English and French markets.
Demonstrated capacity of the organization to undertake the project.
Reporting history with the Support for Organizations component.
For marketing projects, the ability to demonstrate strategic use of digital technologies for book promotion.
Funding priority is given to projects focusing on the export of Canadian books and those enhancing digital marketplace success, along with promoting best practices.
Projects that test or pilot innovative marketing and promotion approaches.
Projects using sales data effectively to better market and promote books.
Priority for associations or organizations representing under-represented groups or projects benefiting such groups.

How to apply to the Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations — Not-for-Profit program

Read Application Guidelines

Carefully read the Application Guidelines in their entirety to ensure understanding of the requirements and eligibility criteria.

Complete Application Form

Download and complete the Application Form, ensuring all sections are filled out accurately.
Provide a detailed description and budget of your project in Part E of the Application Form.

Prepare Supporting Documents

Gather all required supporting documents, including your organization’s latest audited financial statements.

Submit Application Electronically

Send your complete application package electronically via email to flc-sao-cbf-sfo@pch.gc.ca.
Ensure the email is sent no later than 11:59 p.m. local time on the application deadline date.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The program imposes limits on administration expenses, which are capped at 15% of other eligible project expenses.
If your internship project involves hiring an intern from Indigenous or under-represented communities, you may be eligible for increased support covering up to 75% of expenses.
Applicants seeking 100% funding must justify why securing other funding sources is not feasible.
The total financial assistance received from all government sources cannot exceed certain percentages depending on the organization's type: 100% for not-for-profits and certain community organizations, and 75% for others.
Receiving $250,000 or more requires submission of an audited financial report.
Applicants must adhere to anti-racism, anti-hate, and workplace well-being guidelines as stipulated by Canadian Heritage.
Projects must comply with public health guidelines related to COVID-19 and other applicable laws and regulations.
Funding decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
Recipients must publicly acknowledge the financial support from the Government of Canada in both English and French.
The program reserves the right to audit recipients and evaluate their compliance with funding agreements.
The information in funding applications may be disclosed to ensure transparency and accountability.