How much funding can be received?

The grant program aims to strengthen the music industry's infrastructure within Francophone minority language communities in Canada by supporting entrepreneurial and organizational projects that enhance skills and capacities, offering up to $75,000 for businesses and $50,000 for associations or organizations. Eligible activities include business structuring, knowledge acquisition, personalized professional assistance, strategy development, and support for diverse music-related enterprise activities.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant provides financial support tailored to the needs of music entrepreneurs and organizations within Francophone Official Language Minority Communities (OLMCs), with specific conditions and eligibility requirements.

The maximum financial assistance per application for enterprises is $75,000, not exceeding 90% of the accepted costs, with some projects eligible for up to 100% coverage.
For associations or organizations, the maximum assistance available is $50,000, potentially covering up to 100% of eligible costs.
Funding is conditionally based on the availability of funds, and the submission of an application does not guarantee funding.
A first disbursement, typically 90% of the awarded amount, is provided upon contract signing, with the final payment made after project completion analysis.
Total government funding, including from Musicaction, cannot exceed 100% of the project costs.
Strict financial reporting is required, with access to financial records for audit purposes by Musicaction.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports music entrepreneurs and organizations in Francophone OLMCs by enhancing their business structure and capacities. The eligible projects focus on business assistance and association support through various professional and developmental activities.

Professional personalized mentoring for business plan creation or diagnostics.
Consultation with management and music industry specialists.
Development of marketing and exportation strategies.
Implementation of technological solutions like accounting software and e-commerce sites.
Organization of workshops and training sessions covering diverse industry topics.
Support for administrative and specialized workforce recruitment within the music industry.
Creation and integration of reference and management tools.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

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

The company must be owned and controlled by Canadian individuals and have its head office and place of business in Canada, outside of Quebec.
The company can be a sole proprietorship, incorporated entity, partnership, cooperative, or in the process of becoming one, under Canadian federal or provincial laws.
The company must have at least one active artist from Official Language Minority Communities (CLOSM), other than the owner, under contract for eligible activities. An active artist is defined as someone who has released a sound recording in the last 36 months or plans to do so in the next 8 months, meeting Canadian and francophone content requirements.
The company must comply with financial obligations and not be in payment default with any Canadian governmental bodies, including third-party administrators like FACTOR and Musicaction.
Companies benefiting from Indigenous entrepreneurship support are not eligible for this program.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for this grant program include musical enterprises and associations within Francophone minority language communities (CLOSM) across Canada. These must be dynamic in the specified sectors and meet particular criteria as follows.

Musical enterprises from Francophone CLOSM communities that are dynamic in at least two areas such as sound recording production, marketing, show production, artist management, and music publishing, benefiting at least one active artist from these communities, excluding the enterprise owner, unless otherwise exempted.
Enterprises must be outside Quebec, Canadian-owned and controlled, and have a head office and business presence in Canada.
Applicants should not benefit from the Indigenous Entrepreneurs Support and must not be in default of payment with Canadian Heritage or other federal ministries, including FACTOR and Musicaction administrators.
Associations or organizations within Francophone minority communities with recognized expertise in coordinating collective projects or professional services to entrepreneurial artists or enterprises in the musical sector.
Their mission should focus on developing Francophone music, with more than half of members and directors being Canadians, outside Quebec.
Collaborative projects among multiple organizations for resource pooling are also encouraged.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and organizations from applying due to specific eligibility restrictions. These restrictions ensure that the grant focuses on enhancing capacity in the Canadian francophone music sector outside Quebec.

Companies already receiving support from the Indigenous Entrepreneurs Support program.
Organizations classified as networks.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to achieving the objectives under both streams: business support and support for associations and organizations.

Professional personalized support for business plan establishment or diagnosis.
Consultation services with management specialists (legal, accounting, human resources, revenue diversification) and music industry specialists.
Reference tools and management resources (e.g., contract templates, directories).
Development of marketing and export strategies.
Salaries and social charges, including the business owner who is not the artist, to Canadian employees.
Salaries for the artist-owner of the business if other artists are linked to the business.
Hiring administrative or specialized workforce related to the music industry sectors; can be a shared resource for efficiency.
Implementation of technological solutions (e.g., accounting software, transaction websites).
Bank of hours, mentorship, or internships with music industry specialists.
Fees related to conferences, panels, workshops, masterclasses, and training sessions on various subjects such as music industry ecosystem, legal aspects, budgeting, sound recording production, and exporting strategies.
Investment in previously rejected sound recording or commercialization projects, up to 50% of costs.
Salaries and social charges for project or service employees under associations and organizations.
Acquisition or development of content for group training, conferences, and workshops in various entrepreneurial and industry-specific skills.
Professional fees for mentors, trainers, entrepreneurship specialists, and project coordinators.
Customized professional support for implementing career, business, or commercialization plans.
Networking activities with other entrepreneurial artists or companies.
Development of new reference tools and management resources.
Costs related to skills development activities (e.g., room rental, technical fees, and participation fees).
Registration fees for entrepreneurial training and development events.
Travel costs associated with project execution (e.g., transport, lodging, per diem).
Any other expenditure deemed pertinent and necessary for the project’s completion.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies located outside of Quebec in Canada. The eligibility criteria focus on ensuring support for music entrepreneurs within Francophone minority communities.

Companies with headquarters and business locations in Canada, specifically outside of Quebec.

grant_single_labels|criteria

Projects under this grant are evaluated and selected based on specific criteria to ensure they align with the program's objectives and can effectively contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and professional skills in the francophone minority music communities.

The applicant's experience in the music sector and their ability to leverage this experience.
The number of connected artists from francophone minority communities and the diversity of activities they engage in.
The coherence of the applicant's entrepreneurial development objectives for the year in the context of their current situation and past achievements.
The applicant's capacity to develop their business and the realism of the submitted budget.
The applicant's expertise in the proposed project type and their capacity to complete it successfully.
The quality and diversity of the service offer and its complementarity with existing services to support the professionalization of francophone musical entrepreneurs and businesses.
The quality of partnerships fostering resource and service sharing.
The project's collective impact and its alignment with the entrepreneurial objectives of the program.
Budget realism and the ability to provide financial and operational accountability.

grant_single_labels|register

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

Step 1: Request Forms
Contact the program representatives to request the necessary application forms. Reach out via email to Nathalie Parent at nparent@musicaction.ca, Véronique Landry at vlandry@musicaction.ca, or Alex Maltais at amaltais@musicaction.ca.
Step 2: Prepare Application Documents
Complete the Word and Excel application forms relevant to your chosen program component (Volet 1 for businesses or Volet 2 for associations/organizations).
Gather all required supporting documents such as constitutive documents, latest financial statements, organizational structure, and agreements with artists.
Step 3: Submit Application
Ensure all documents are correctly named (Applicant – Project – SEOF) before submission.
Send your completed application electronically to inscription@musicaction.ca by the registration deadline of September 11, 2024, at 5 PM (HAE).
Step 4: Post-Submission Verification
Participate in individual meetings to clarify or add elements to your application if required by the program team.
Collaborate with the program team to set priority objectives if your project is accepted.
Step 5: Parachèvement Submission
Complete all activities within 8 months from October 1, 2024.
Submit the parachèvement documents by June 4, 2025, to para@musicaction.ca. Include all necessary forms and proof of expenses, if required.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here is additional relevant information for this grant:

The funding is subject to the availability of funds, and applying does not guarantee funding.
Ineligible expenses include those related to artistic activities, ongoing operational costs, and any costs paid in cash or through service exchanges.
Applicants are required to preserve original invoices and proof of payment for five years following project completion.
Payment proofs accepted include bank checks, internet payment records, and credit card statements.

grant_single_labels|contact

inscription@musicaction.ca

Apply to this program

Support Program for Francophone Minority Music Enterprises and Organizations

This grant aims to bolster the music industry infrastructure within Francophone minority communities across Canada. It provides financial assistance to businesses and organizations executing initiatives that foster professional and entrepreneurial skill development among Francophone artists.

In-Depth Overview of the Support Program for Francophone Minority Music Enterprises and Organizations

The "Soutien aux entrepreneur.e.s et organismes de la musique œuvrant au sein des CLOSM francophones" aims to enhance the infrastructure of the music industry within Francophone minority communities across Canada. The primary objective is to create an environment where Francophone artists can thrive, thus amplifying their reach and impact within and beyond their communities. The program encompasses two main components - one focused on aiding businesses and the other on assisting associations and organizations.

Under the first component, financial support is directed towards entities involved in various sectors such as sound recording production, performance management, and music publishing, among others. The initiative encourages companies to expand their operational activities or diversify into new areas that align with current market demands. Crucially, it aims to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and promote sustainable business practices that ensure long-term stability and growth. By offering up to $75,000, the program facilitates the development of business plans, market expansion strategies, and provides access to expert consultations in crucial areas like legal and financial management.

The second component is tailor-made for associations or organizations with proven expertise in managing cooperative projects and training programs within these communities. This segment of the grant supports new service offerings aimed at enhancing the entrepreneurial capabilities of artists who manage their careers comprehensively, from production to performance and rights management. Through this support, associations can develop localized services in French, crucial for artists who operate in minority language environments. The support can reach up to $50,000, fully covering eligible costs and facilitating the creation of diverse, high-quality services essential for professional growth in the sector.

Eligibility for this grant varies by component but generally requires applicants to have a Canadian base outside Quebec, with an emphasis on fostering the Francophone culture through music. Additionally, applicants should not be in default of any payments to Canadian government bodies or third-party administrators involved with government grants.

Evaluation of submissions incorporates applicant experience, the effectiveness of their proposed strategies, and budget realism. The aim is to ensure that awarded projects have the potential for substantial impact in increasing the visibility and success of Francophone artists and the music entities supporting them. Furthermore, the grant encourages collaborations among businesses to optimize the impact and reach of the initiatives.

Successful projects must complete their activities within an eight-month window from the grant's distribution, with objectives met through meticulous planning and resource management. As beneficiaries navigate through this program, they are expected to adhere to best practices, ensuring public funds are utilized efficiently while reinforcing the framework supporting Francophone music artistry in minority contexts.

In summary, this grant is a key enabler for those working within Francophone minority music communities, offering a structured pathway to elevate the artistic profiles of individuals and organizations alike. By supporting these endeavors financially and strategically, the program fosters a flourishing cultural landscape, pivotal for preserving and enhancing Francophone heritage in Canada.