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Business Foundations
BC, Canada
Supports systemically excluded groups in B.C.'s music industry
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Creative BC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Grant amounts range from $2,000 to $10,000, funding up to 100% of expenses.
- Successful applicants receive a 75% advance payment upon signing a funding agreement, with the remaining funds disbursed after completing and reviewing the final report.
- Funding covers activities and related expenses incurred between January 1, 2025, and March 1, 2026.
- Expenditures must be documented with acceptable proof of payment including bank statements, processed checks, or wire transfer confirmations.
grant_single_labels|projects
- 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.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 25,000
Develop an eco-friendly urban community garden initiative
$ 30,000
Launch a digital literacy program for seniors
$ 50,000
Build an artisanal chocolate factory with sustainable processes
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- Small businesses owned by people from systemically excluded groups in B.C.’s music industry.
- Majority ownership (51% or more) of the business must be held by individuals who identify as one or more of the eligible groups (e.g., Indigenous Peoples, Black, People of Colour, People living with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals).
- The business must be doing business in the music industry.
- The business must be working with one or more artists or clients.
- The business must be headquartered or residing in B.C. and filing B.C. tax returns if required.
- Eligible applicants include individuals (sole proprietors), companies (registered businesses), and not-for-profit organizations.
- Applicants must not have received more than $30,000 cumulatively through the Live Music, Music Company, and Music Industry Initiatives.
- Annual gross music revenues must not exceed $100,000 (excluding grants and funds collected on behalf of artists).
- Businesses must be in good standing with Creative BC.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Record labels
- Artist managers
- Live music presenters
- Recording studios
- Other music-related companies
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- 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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- 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.
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Business Strategy & Potential.
- Community Impact.
- Business Capacity.
- Plan & Budget.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Program Guidelines
- Read the Business Foundations Guidelines 2024/25 available on the Creative BC website.
- Ensure your business meets the eligibility criteria.
- Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
- Complete the budget and client list templates available on the Creative BC website.
- Collect bios or resumes of all business owners.
- Prepare financial statements or a profit/loss statement from the previous fiscal year, if applicable.
- Gather expressions of support from partners or supporters.
- If applying as a company, prepare the Business Statement of Registration, Certificate of Incorporation, Society Certificate, or GST number.
- Step 3: Self-Identification Form
- Ensure all business owners complete the self-identification form online. This must be done within two weeks after the application deadline.
- Step 4: Complete Online Application
- Visit the Creative BC website to access the online application form.
- Fill out the application form with accurate information.
- Attach the required documents and submit the application by March 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM PT.
- Step 5: Confirmation of Submission
- After submitting, confirm receipt of application via email.
- Retain a copy of the confirmation for your records.
- Step 6: Attend Info Sessions (Optional)
- Sign up for the online or in-person info sessions through the Creative BC website for additional guidance.
- Step 7: Post-Submission
- Prepare for any follow-up or requests for additional information from Creative BC.
- Wait approximately 12 weeks for the application decision notification by email.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- 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.
grant_single_labels|contact
ndhaliwal@creativebc.com
236-455-0945
