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Business Foundations - British Columbia - Canada
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Business Foundations

Supports systemically excluded groups in B.C.'s music industry
Creative BC
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 2,000 - $ 10,000
Timeline
  • Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, Canada

Overview

The Business Foundations program offers grants up to $10,000 to support business operations, funding up to 100% of expenses for eligible activities such as salaries, marketing, and infrastructure development in B.C.'s music ecosystem. It aims to invest in the growth of businesses owned by people from systemically excluded groups.

/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Improve governance or administrative structure
  • Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 10,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 2,000 $
  • Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Information and cultural industries
Location
  • British Columbia
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
  • For-profit business
  • Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
  • $ 100,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Persons with Disabilities
  • Other Racialized Persons
  • Black Canadians
  • 2SLGBTQI+
  • Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Culture and Arts
  • Economic, Social and Community Development
  • Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
  • Indigenous peoples
  • People with disabilities
  • LGBTQ+ community
  • Business owners / entrepreneurs
  • Artists / creatives
  • Minority groups
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • Municipal
  • Provincial

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Salaries, benefits, and fees for business owners, staff, and contractors.
  • Operational expenses, including rent, utilities, and bookkeeping.
  • Core business activities, such as live event production costs and content creation.
  • Marketing and advertising efforts.
  • Training, mentorship, and consultant fees.
  • Development of policies, procedures, and business plans.
  • Purchase of equipment, technology, and improvements for health and safety, including renovations and accessibility enhancements.
  • Grant writing fees up to $300 for applicants with self-declared disabilities or English language barriers.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Record labels
  • Artist managers
  • Live music presenters
  • Recording studios
  • Other music-related companies

Who is not eligible

  • Businesses that have received more than $30,000 cumulatively through the Live Music, Music Company, and Music Industry Initiatives.
  • Businesses that are earning more than $100,000 in annual gross music revenues (not including grants and funds collected on behalf of artists).
  • Artists and Artist Entrepreneurs, as they can apply for funding through the Demo Recording and Career Development programs.

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries, benefits, and fees for business owners, staff, and contractors.
  • Operational expenses, including rent, utilities, and bookkeeping.
  • Subscriptions for various services supporting business activities.
  • Core business activities, including live event production costs and content creation.
  • Master rights acquisition related expenses.
  • Marketing and advertising costs.
  • Training, mentorship, and consultant fees.
  • Development of policies, procedures, and business plans.
  • Equipment purchases and technology upgrades.
  • Health and safety costs, including renovations and accessibility improvements.
  • Grant writing fees up to $300 for applicants with self-declared disabilities or English language barriers.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Businesses headquartered or residing in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Companies filing B.C. tax returns if required.
  • Entities located in Vancouver as part of the Vancouver Music Fund collaborations.

Additional information

  • A 75% advance payment is provided upon signing the funding agreement, with the remaining funds disbursed after the final report is submitted and reviewed.
  • Applicants can submit only one application per deadline.
  • Self-identification forms are required for eligibility and confidentiality is maintained for this information.
  • Applications are evaluated by an industry panel, with results available approximately 12 weeks after the deadline.
  • Creative BC reserves the right to adjust funding decisions based on representation across the province.
  • Early submission of applications is encouraged and welcomed.
  • Applicants are required to adhere to Creative BC's Code of Conduct and ensure a harassment-free workplace.
  • Creative BC promotes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in program delivery.
  • Environmental sustainability in practices is encouraged within the music industry.
  • Misrepresentation of eligibility criteria regarding identity may result in termination of funding and ineligibility for future support.

Contacts

ndhaliwal@creativebc.com
236-455-0945

Frequently Asked Questions about the Business Foundations Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Business Foundations. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Business Foundations?

The Business Foundations program offers grants up to $10,000 to support business operations, funding up to 100% of expenses for eligible activities such as salaries, marketing, and infrastructure development in B.C.'s music ecosystem. It aims to invest in the growth of businesses owned by people from systemically excluded groups.

How much funding can be received?

Business Foundations Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Business Foundations program?

To be eligible for the Business Foundations program, you must: Small businesses owned by people from systemically excluded groups in B.C. Majority ownership of the business (51% or more) must be held by individuals from eligible groups. Must be doing business in the music industry and headquartered in B.C., filing B.C. tax returns if required.

What expenses are eligible under Business Foundations?

Salaries, benefits, and fees for business owners, staff, and contractors. Operational expenses, including rent, utilities, and bookkeeping. Core business activities, such as live event production costs and content creation. Marketing and advertising efforts. Training, mentorship, and consultant fees. Development of policies, procedures, and business plans. Purchase of equipment, technology, and improvements for health and safety, including renovations and accessibility enhancements. Grant writing fees up to $300 for applicants with self-declared disabilities or English language barriers.

Who can I contact for more information about the Business Foundations?

You can contact Creative BC by email at ndhaliwal@creativebc.com or by phone at 236-455-0945.

Where is the Business Foundations available?

The Business Foundations program is available the province of British Columbia.

Is the Business Foundations a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Business Foundations is a Grant and Funding

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