How much funding can be received?

The Global Financing Envelope under the Canadian Music Fund provides financial assistance up to $600,000 per business to support commercially viable music businesses in developing the careers of Canadian artists. Eligible activities include the production and marketing of sound recordings, music tours and showcases, music publishing, artist management, and business development.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant offers structured financing modalities aimed at supporting the sustainable development and promotion of Canadian musical artists while ensuring financial prudence and accountability. The modalities are carefully designed to align with project goals and regulatory requirements.

Maximum funding of up to CAD 600,000 for individual enterprises and CAD 800,000 for affiliated enterprise groups, with funding not exceeding 50% of eligible expenses.
Funding allocation is competitive and based on past eligible income, recent investments, and projected investments in business plans.
Staggered distribution of the total budget: 20% based on past net income from eligible activities, 20% on recent eligible investments, and 60% on the evaluation of business plans and projected eligible investments.
Financial assistance hinges on maintaining established investments proportional to past financial commitments, with a need to justify any deviations higher than 20% from projected investments in a final report.
Annual financial audits are required to ensure compliance with program conditions and verify expenditure claims, with at least 20% of recipients selected randomly for external review.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Canada Music Fund (CMF) modernization program supports activities that aim to develop the careers of Canadian artists, promote their music, and expand their audience reach. Eligible projects encompass various aspects of the music industry, focusing on both national and international platforms.

Production, promotion, and commercialization of Canadian sound recordings.
Organizing and managing national and international music tours and showcases for Canadian artists.
Publication of Canadian musical works and management of Canadian artists.
Business development activities such as scouting new artists and market expansion for Canadian artists.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 500,000

Launch a Canadian artist's debut album and tour

$ 600,000

Expand Canadian folk music label internationally

$ 550,000

Create digital content for emerging Canadian artists

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's profile and past activities.

The company must be constituted under Canadian federal or provincial laws, owned and controlled by Canadians in the music domain, with its headquarters and main business office in Canada.
The company must be engaged in eligible activities such as the production and commercialization of Canadian sound recordings, Canadian artists' tours and showcases in Canada and abroad, Canadian artists' management, publishing of Canadian music works, and business and skills development.
The company must invest at least $200,000 in eligible activities aligned with its past investment history.
The company must have completed three continuous years as a Canadian music business.
The company must demonstrate financial viability and capacity to manage an annual budget envelope.
The company must have a minimum gross revenue of $250,000, excluding public funding, from recent financial statements related to Canadian artists' music activities. Revenues from show agency and services must not be included.
The company must have undertaken eligible activities for at least two Canadian artists under contract, excluding those who are shareholders, with at least one eligible sound recording released between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024.
For companies focused on music publishing, they must have supported at least 15 new eligible Canadian musical works with at least four Canadian songwriters/composers under contract within the last two years.
The company must have settled any contractual obligations regarding author rights payment.
The company must demonstrate a financial need for the intended investments in Canadian artists' development, music promotion, and audience expansion. This need will be assessed through net profit margin, gross revenues, and dividend distribution relative to prior FMC funding.
The company must be in good standing with the Crown following agreements with Canadian Heritage or other federal ministries and third-party administrators like FACTOR and Musicaction.
The company must have "Legal Deposit" receipts issued by Library and Archives Canada for each eligible Canadian sound recording released in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Canadian companies involved in the following activities:- Production and promotion of sound recordings of Canadian artists- Touring and musical showcases of Canadian artists- Publishing of Canadian musical works- Artist managementEligible companies include record labels, music publishers, and artist managers. Artist managers must have the necessary skills to advise their artists on all matters related to their musical careers and be actively involved in promoting their artists' music.Companies that engage in concert production activities may also be eligible if they demonstrate that they are responsible (artistically and financially) for all aspects related to their artists' concert activities. This relationship must be embedded in a contract between the company and their artists.Additionally, the company must meet the submission conditions outlined in the program point 1 and make eligible investments primarily related to French-language projects in 25-26 or have a history of submitting applications to Musicaction.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.

Companies not legally incorporated under Canadian federal or provincial laws.
Businesses that are not controlled by Canadians.
Enterprises without a primary focus on music production, touring, publishing, or artist management.
Companies that have not demonstrated financial viability or a minimum revenue.
Organizations that do not invest in francophone projects for the 2025-2026 period or lack an application history with Musicaction.
Businesses that have not met legal deposit requirements with Library and Archives Canada for relevant sound recordings.
Companies involved in re-releasing or compiling previously made works, as these activities are typically non-eligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for the grant cover costs associated with Canadian artists for approved activities between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

Salaries, social charges, and/or professional fees (services provided through contracts).
Fees for artists, musicians, and chorists.
Arrangements and artistic direction.
Producer or delegated producer fees.
Studio fees and mastering costs.
Creation of album covers.
Manufacturing costs (commercialization expenses).
Co-production participation costs.
Equipment rentals.
Travel expenses (transport, accommodation, meals) as per government business travel rates.
Tournament salaries, social charges, and/or professional fees (contract-specific services).
Fees for artists, musicians, and technicians.
Production expenses and equipment rentals.
Promotion expenses, including tour agents' fees and internal agency activity costs.
Song placement activities (song plugging) and coordination fees.
Artist development activity expenses—training, creation support, management related activities.
Promotional material costs—posters, media advertisements, and press relations.
Printing promotional albums/records not intended for sale.
Styling, press photos, and translation costs.
Promotional showcases and trade shows.
Workshops and training, creation space rental, and equipment related to creation.
Production of non-videoclip musical audiovisual content for the web.
Expenses for web and social media presence—artist’s website creation and updates, multimedia content.
Distribution fees and costs related to platforms and IT tools development.
Business development expenses—salaries, fees, new talent search, and market development costs.
Administration expenses—salaries, web platform hosting, data management tools, conferences, and representation fees.
Capital expenditure of up to 10% for activities directly related to artist development and audience expansion.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to Canadian-owned and controlled companies. Eligibility is based on being an enterprise constituted under Canadian provincial or federal laws, with operations primarily in Canada.

Enterprises must have their headquarters and principal place of business in Canada.
The president or equivalent must be Canadian, and at least half of the board or similar positions must be held by Canadians.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

20% of the total budget is allocated according to net revenues related to eligible activities over the past three fiscal years of each eligible entrepreneur compared to other companies.
20% of the total budget is allocated according to recent eligible investments drawn from the last completed fiscal year of the program, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
60% of the total budget is allocated based on an evaluation of the business plan and the forecasted eligible investments of the applicants for each artist for the upcoming funding period, with the following breakdown:
40% based on the adequacy and scope of proposed activities in relation to the objectives of the Individual Initiatives component:
Investments related to new artists to account for the CFM’s objective of ensuring the continuous development of new Canadian artists.
Support for public policy priorities on diversity and inclusion, including investments in artists belonging to various target groups such as Indigenous artists, artists from official language minority communities, racialized artists, artists identifying with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, artists with disabilities, and women artists.
Investments internationally to support the CFM’s objective of developing audiences for Canadian artists abroad.
20% based on a grid evaluating the feasibility and robustness of the investment strategy, taking into account:
The business plan and organizational capacity.
The history of funding and the realism of the investment strategy, including consideration of decreases of more than 20% between actual and forecast investments over the past two completed years for the three priority targets.
The expected results and financial capacity.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Confirm your business meets all the eligibility criteria outlined by the program.
Ensure your enterprise is a Canadian incorporated entity engaged in eligible activities.
Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
Prepare financial statements, business plans, and other supporting documents.
Ensure your financial statements are prepared by a certified CPA if necessary.
Gather receipts or confirmations for any legal deposits required.
Provide documentation of company formation and shareholder agreements if not already on file.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Request access to the electronic application form by contacting the fund provider.
Fill out the form with precise and thorough information.
Attach all required supplementary documents directly to the form.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Ensure the completed application is submitted electronically by the deadline.
Verify the submission of all required documents and components of your application.
Step 5: Await Confirmation
Wait for confirmation from Musicaction regarding receipt of your application.
Retain any confirmation communications for your records.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant can be combined with other public funding, as long as it does not exceed 100% of project costs.
Grant recipients must publicly acknowledge the financial support received from Musicaction and the Canadian government in all promotional materials and communications.
Applicants must be compliant with agreements made with Canadian Heritage or any other federal body, as well as third-party administrators such as FACTOR and Musicaction.
Auditors may perform random and strata-based verifications on at least 20% of beneficiaries annually.
Recipients are required to submit a gender equality, diversity, and inclusion policy relating to their leadership roles and/or board representation.
Changes exceeding a 20% decrease from projected to actual investment in the outlined targets must be justified.

grant_single_labels|contact

cvondeschwanden@musicaction.ca

514 861-8444

Apply to this program

Invest in the Future of Canadian Music

This grant supports Canadian businesses in the music industry, providing them with the financial means to promote the growth and global reach of Canadian artists. It aims to enhance the production, marketing, and touring capabilities of music enterprises, while fostering a diverse and inclusive music scene.

A Deep Dive into the Grant for Canadian Music Enterprises

This grant is a pivotal element in the modernization journey of the Canada Music Fund and is now in its sixth year of operation. It is strategically designed to bolster Canadian-owned music businesses by providing financial aid that hinges on their past revenue generation and recent investment activities. The primary goal is to support commercially viable music enterprises in various activities, from the production and commercialization of sound recordings, to facilitating national and international tours and musical showcases.

Eligible businesses, which include record labels, music publishers, and artist managers, can receive up to $600,000 individually or $800,000 if part of a group of affiliated companies. However, such funding cannot exceed 50% of the eligible expenditures, ensuring that businesses also invest private resources into their growth. This financial support is allocated on a competitive basis, necessitating meticulous evaluation of each applicant’s capacity to reach wide audiences, their historic and projected eligible revenues, and investments.

The allocation of funds under this grant is closely tied to the applicant’s demonstrated efforts in career development for multiple Canadian artists. This involves fostering music promotion and audience development through strategic business plans and investment strategies aligned with the Fund's priorities and the feasibility of their execution. Companies involved must show a robust history of investment into the Canadian music sector and extend their impact by developing both the local and international markets for Canadian talents.

For businesses aiming to tap into this grant, substantial eligibility criteria must be met. These require being a Canadian-controlled company with significant historical engagement in the local music industry, evidenced by at least three years of continuous operational activities. Financial viability, demonstrated through past revenue of no less than $250,000—derived excluding public funding—is also a prerequisite, alongside the capability to manage a comprehensive annual budget.

Moreover, the program emphasizes diversity and inclusion in the arts, urging applicants to prioritize investments in artists from various minority backgrounds. Companies are encouraged to channel resources into promoting indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, thus nurturing a vibrant and inclusive artistic landscape across Canada.

The funding also supports administrative and business development activities, capping administrative expenses at 15% of the total grant, and permitting capital expenditures up to 10% if directly related to artistic development goals. This structure ensures that the contribution aids in enhancing the strategic capacities of businesses, ultimately driving significant growth in artist representation and audience reach.

Applicants must prepare to diligently document their expenses and outcomes, as the program includes thorough evaluation mechanisms, including the possibility of external audits. Accepted applicants will have periodic reporting obligations, providing a detailed account of how funds are utilized towards achieving the strategic objectives of the grant.

In summary, this grant offers a significant opportunity for Canadian music enterprises to boost their operational capabilities, support their artists, and extend their market influence both locally and internationally. By aligning with national cultural objectives, recipients not only gain financial support but also contribute to the sustained global presence of Canadian music.