Closed
Source verified July 10, 2026
Marketing Initiative Program
Funding for new regional marketing initiatives
Latest source updateLast Update: May 1, 2026Latest change: The program now states it will be retired after the 2026 tri-annual intake, effective August 1, 2026, with a new link to program updates.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 1, 2026
Latest change: The program now states it will be retired after the 2026 tri-annual intake, effective August 1, 2026, with a new link to program updates.
Marketing Initiative retirement notice added
The Marketing Initiative page now includes a retirement notice stating the program will end after the 2026 tri-annual intake, effective August 1, 2026. It also adds a link to the Program Updates page for more information. Core funding terms, application access, and the main program description remain in place, with only minor discovery and wording changes elsewhere on the page.
Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Who can apply
Local Governments located within Northern Development’s service region
See full eligibility
Overview
The Marketing Initiative Program offers up to $20,000 in grant funding to support new marketing campaigns or projects that promote economic vitality and diversification within a community or region. Eligible activities include business attraction, branding development, social media campaigns, investment and resident recruitment, and other marketing tactics distinct from ongoing initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop an online presence
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business attraction initiatives
- Investment attraction initiatives
- Resident recruitment initiatives
- Visitor attraction initiatives
- Branding development and evolution, web-based strategies, social media campaigns, wayfinding and other interpretive signage, and print advertising campaigns
Documents Needed
- Completed Northern Development Marketing Initiatives application form
- Supporting quote(s)
- Resolution of support
- Certificate of incorporation, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Local Governments located within Northern Development’s service region
- Registered First Nations governments located within Northern Development’s service region
- Registered Not-for-Profits located within Northern Development’s service region
Eligible expenses
- Graphic design
- Web design and development
- Marketing content development
- Brand development
- Filming and film production
- Photography
- Design and production of trade show exhibits
- Printing costs
- Advertising costs
- Signage
- Translation of marketing material
- Copy writing and media buying
- PST (Provincial Sales Tax)
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- GST
- Costs incurred, including work started and/or deposits paid, prior to signing an agreement with Northern Development
- Maintenance related to recurring or ongoing marketing initiatives, operational costs, and staff wages
- Costs related to hosting, travelling to, or attending meetings, conferences, workshops, trade shows, industry events, or trade missions; hospitality costs including meals or alcohol, lodging, clothing and uniforms, and all giveaways
- Regular website maintenance and website hosting; postage, including for direct mail campaigns, phone, office space rental, photocopying, in-house printing; incentives, promotional items, giveaways, prizes and merchandise for resale; purchases of equipment or tools; project cost over-runs; and in-kind volunteer labour and/or monetized donations, which are encouraged but cannot be considered as a cash equivalent contribution under this program
Selection criteria
- Positive economic impact for the local area
- Target markets beyond the local area
- Specific and measurable outcomes
- Alignment with Northern Development’s strategic priorities, including collaboration between communities or multiple groups, direct First Nations participation, direct economic benefits for both local governments and First Nations, and broad regional economic impact
How to apply
- Step 1: Select the program in the Online Application System
- Choose Marketing Initiatives from the Active Programs menu.
- Complete the mandatory application fields.
- Step 2: Prepare application materials
- Enter project information, funding details, and key deliverables.
- Upload supporting documents and quotes.
- Provide the resolution of support and any additional attachments.
- Step 3: Submit electronically
- Submit the completed application and all supplementary materials through the Online Application System.
Processing and Agreement
- All Marketing Initiatives projects supported by Northern Development must be evaluated and verified following completion before funding is released.
- A project is considered complete when the marketing tactics associated with the project, campaign or initiative are completed and all related expenses have been invoiced.
- Reporting on measurable outcomes is required approximately one year after project completion.
- If an applicant fails to submit the reporting form(s), future projects will be ineligible for funding.
Additional information
- The program will be retired after the 2026 tri-annual granting intake.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Marketing Initiative Program Program
What is the Marketing Initiative Program?
The Marketing Initiative Program offers up to $20,000 in grant funding to support new marketing campaigns or projects that promote economic vitality and diversification within a community or region. Eligible activities include business attraction, branding development, social media campaigns, investment and resident recruitment, and other marketing tactics distinct from ongoing initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
Marketing Initiative Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Marketing Initiative Program program?
To be eligible for the Marketing Initiative Program program, you must:
Applicants must be located within Northern Development’s service region.
Eligible applicants are Local Governments, Registered First Nations governments, and Registered Not-for-Profits.
The project must be a new marketing initiative that stands alone from existing marketing activities.
What expenses are eligible under Marketing Initiative Program?
Business attraction initiatives
Investment attraction initiatives
Resident recruitment initiatives
Visitor attraction initiatives
Branding development and evolution, web-based strategies, social media campaigns, wayfinding and other interpretive signage, and print advertising campaigns
Who can I contact for more information about the Marketing Initiative Program?
You can contact Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) by email at info@northerndevelopment.bc.ca or by phone at 250-561-2525.
Where is the Marketing Initiative Program available?
The Marketing Initiative Program program is available the province of British Columbia.
Is the Marketing Initiative Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Marketing Initiative Program is a Grant and Funding