Closed
Source verified August 11, 2026
Marketing Initiative Program
Funding for new regional marketing initiatives
Latest source updateLast Update: August 11, 2026Latest change: Program updates now show new readiness requirements, cost eligibility changes, higher Community Places funding, and reopening dates for some programs.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: August 11, 2026
Latest change: Program updates now show new readiness requirements, cost eligibility changes, higher Community Places funding, and reopening dates for some programs.
Program updates for multiple grants
The Program Updates page now shows new application requirements for the Economic, Cultural, and Recreation Infrastructure grants, including a business case and asset management plan, and the Economic Development Capacity Building program now limits eligible costs to staff or contract wages while removing economic development activities as eligible costs. It also shows funding and scope updates for Community Places and Business Facade Improvement, with the Community Places maximum grant amount increasing to $50,000 and exterior security features now eligible under Business Facade Improvement; the Northern funding page also adds status notices showing Fabulous Festivals and Events fully allocated for CCL, NW, NE, and PG in 2026, Northern Industries Innovation Fund reopening in January 2027, and Grant Writing Support reopening in November 2026.
Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Overview
Marketing Initiatives offers up to $20,000 to local governments, Registered First Nations bands, and Registered non-profit organizations within Northern Development’s service region to support new marketing initiatives that promote economic vitality and diversification in a community or region. Eligible activities include business attraction, branding development, social media campaigns, and resident or visitor attraction.
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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
- Registered First Nations bands
- Registered non-profit organizations
- Applicants must be 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
Eligible geographic areas
- Northern Development’s service region
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Marketing Initiative Program Program
What is the Marketing Initiative Program?
Marketing Initiatives offers up to $20,000 to local governments, Registered First Nations bands, and Registered non-profit organizations within Northern Development’s service region to support new marketing initiatives that promote economic vitality and diversification in a community or region. Eligible activities include business attraction, branding development, social media campaigns, and resident or visitor attraction.
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 bands, and Registered non-profit organizations.
The project must be a new 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