Buy BC Partnership Program — Industry Associations, Boards or Councils
Highlights
The Buy BC Partnership Program is designed to help your business grow by increasing consumer awareness and sales of your local agriculture, food, and beverage products. This program offers up to $2 million in cost-shared funding annually, making it a valuable opportunity for your business to expand its reach within British Columbia.
What You Get
- Funding up to $30,000 per year for producers and processors with annual gross revenue over $250,000
- Funding up to $15,000 per year for those with annual gross revenue less than $250,000
- Funding up to $75,000 per year for industry associations
Eligible Activities
- Paid Advertising: Digital, radio, print, transit, and TV ads
- Labelling or Packaging: Design and print labels with the Buy BC logo
- Marketing Collateral: Videos, brochures, posters, and more
- Market Development: Participation in sales expositions
- In-store Demonstrations: Product sampling and promotions
- Staff Wages: Directly related to project activities
By participating, you can leverage the trusted Buy BC logo to enhance your brand's visibility and credibility. The program's cost-sharing model makes it easier to manage expenses, and the application process is straightforward. This is a unique chance to boost your business's presence and sales within the local market.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Cost-Shared Funding
Repayment Terms and Interest Rates:
- This program does not involve loans, so there are no repayment terms or interest rates.
Eligible Expenses:
- Paid Advertising: Digital, radio, print, transit, and TV advertisements.
- Labelling or Packaging Products: Design and printing with the Buy BC logo.
- Marketing Collateral and Promotional Materials: Videos, brochures, posters, banners, etc.
- BC Focused Market Development and Sales Expositions: Registration fees, booth rentals, equipment rentals, etc.
- BC Focused In-store Demonstrations and Promotions: Product demonstrations, hiring brand ambassadors, product sampling, etc.
- Staff Wages: Wages directly related to project activities.
Ineligible Expenses:
- Funds cannot be used for activities not directly related to local marketing activities that increase consumer awareness and sales of local agriculture, food, and beverage products.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with applying for or receiving this funding.
Qualifications
- Must be a primary agriculture and/or seafood producer or cooperative.
- Must be an agriculture, food and beverage and/or seafood processor.
- Must be an agriculture, food and/or beverage industry association, board, or council.
- Must have a head office in B.C. or be authorized to do business in B.C.
- Must have been approved for and hold a valid Buy BC logo licence.
- Must have a minimum of $30,000 in annual revenue for the past two years (applicable only for producers, processors, and cooperatives).
- Must be able to carry the cost of their total project until completion before applying for reimbursement.
- Must submit only one application per intake.
Must be able to self-fund a minimum percentage of the total project budget as follows:
- 50% Ministry / 50% Applicant for first-time recipients and all applicants applying under the initial funding call.
- 35% Ministry / 65% Applicant for all returning recipients (starting in 2024).
- 70% Ministry / 30% Applicant for industry associations, boards, or councils.
Disqualifications:
- None specified in the provided context.
Description
This program offers your business a chance to receive up to $2 million in funding each year. This money can help you with local marketing activities to boost consumer awareness and sales of your agriculture, food, and beverage products.
You can use the funds for:
- Paid advertising on digital, radio, print, transit, and TV platforms.
- Designing and printing labels or packaging with the Buy BC logo.
- Creating marketing materials like videos, brochures, posters, and social media posts.
- Participating in sales expos and market development events in B.C.
- Conducting in-store product demonstrations and promotions.
- Covering staff wages directly related to these activities.
Funding limits are:
- For producers, processors, and cooperatives: $5,000 to $30,000 per year depending on your annual revenue.
- For industry associations, boards, and councils: $5,000 to $75,000 per year.
This program is a great opportunity to increase your product’s visibility and sales within British Columbia.
Program Steps
Download the Program Guide: Visit the program's website and download the Program Guide to understand the detailed requirements and guidelines.
Prepare Documentation: Gather the necessary documents for your application. These include:
- Financial statements for the past two years
- Proof of annual revenue of at least $30,000 for the past two years (for producers, processors, and cooperatives)
- Valid Buy BC logo licence
- Business registration or certification documents
- Project plan detailing the marketing activities you intend to undertake
- Budget plan showing the cost breakdown and funding sources
Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form available on the program's website. Ensure all sections are completed accurately.
Submit the Application: Submit your completed application form and all required documents by the deadline (July 2, 2024, at 16:00 PST). Ensure you submit only one application per intake.
Attend the Program Information Session: Participate in the online webinar scheduled for June 11, 2024, to get additional insights and ask any questions you may have.
Review and Follow Up: After submission, monitor your email for any follow-up requests or notifications regarding your application status. The review period is from July 3 to August 30, 2024.
Await Approval: If your application is successful, you will receive approval and can start your project from September 1, 2024. Ensure you keep track of all expenses and activities for reimbursement purposes.
Project Completion: Complete your project by March 1, 2025, and prepare to submit any required final reports or documentation for reimbursement.