Build – Music Business Development Fund
This program is designed to encourage the growth and development of competitive, sustainable and commercially viable companies within the Manitoba music industry by providing financial support for costs associated with increasing capacity, improving industry skill levels and developing infrastructure.
Offered by Manitoba Film & Music
Amount
Up to 75% of the approved budget to a maximum of $5,000 per application (Build Level 1) or $20,000 per application (Build Level 2)
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Build Level 1 eligibility requirements:
Applicants must be resident Manitoba music companies operating as music managers, labels or music publishers (representing at least one Manitoba based recording artist or composer) or are a music presenter. Companies must be Manitoba-owned and operated and registered as a business enterprise for a minimum of one year. They must be primarily involved in music presentation or the management, marketing and/or distribution of music-recording products.
Build Level 2 eligibility requirements:
Applicants must be resident Manitoba music companies operating as music managers, labels or music publishers (representing at least two Manitoba based recording artists or composers). Companies must be Manitoba-owned and operated and registered as a business enterprise for a minimum of two years. They must be primarily involved in the management, marketing and/or distribution of music-recording products.
Manitoba residency requirement:
A Manitoba resident means an individual who is legally entitled to be in Canada, to work in Canada and to remain in Canada, is currently a resident of Manitoba and has been for not less than three hundred and sixty-five (365) days prior to the date of application to Manitoba Film & Music. In the case of partnerships or Manitoba corporations, a minimum of 50% of the partnership or company directors must meet these eligibility requirements. If approved for funding, first time applicants are required to provide proof that they meet the residency requirements, however, MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC reserves the right to ask for proof from all applicants.
If approved for funding, first-time applicants are required to provide proof that they meet Manitoba Film & Musicâs residency requirements. Proof can be either a bill payment with name and current address, or valid government issued ID with name and address.
Minimum age:
Please be advised that the minimum age for application to Manitoba Film & Musicâs programs is 18. In situations where the artist is a minor, and no younger than 16, a parent or legal guardian may apply on their behalf. In no case shall a member of a group or a band be younger than 16 years old.
Artist/applicant in âgood standingâ:
No new applications will be approved if an applicant or artist has a file overdue, and/or owes money back for a previous grant. Applicants can only make one application to the program per deadline and any previously funded business development application must be closed prior to applying for additional support.
Business registration and bank information:
The applicant must be registered as a business or incorporated in Manitoba. Contact the Companies Office to register your business name. In the case of applicants under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be a signee on the business registration. This business/incorporation must have a valid Manitoba chequing account to be used for this project.
Not eligible:
Ineligible applicants
Government departments, public agencies or other public institutions, and public or private broadcasting companies are not eligible. Not-for-profit organizations and charitable ventures are not eligible
Projects that are fully generated by AI or by using AI technology are not eligible for funding
Projects in which the primary creative content (such as the music recording or musical composition, scripts, audiovisual works, images or other core creative elements) is generated by AI without substantial human authorship and participation are not eligible for funding
About the funding
The level of financial participation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and determined by the overall strength of the submission, as well as the long term benefit the project will have on the Manitoba company applying.
Financial participation will be in the form of a grant and no recoupment will be necessary. Applicants may only apply to this program once per fiscal year (April 1âMarch 31) for Build Level 1 and once every two (2)ÂÂ years for Build Level 2. Applicants cannot apply to more than one program level at a time.
Build Level 1:
Financial participation may be up to 75% of the approved budget to a maximum of $5,000 per application.
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Build Level 2:
Financial participation may be up to 75% of the approved budget to a maximum of $20,000 per application.
Three Award Rule:
A company may only receive a total of three awards from this program per level. In order for Manitoba Film & Music to accept additional applications once the limit has been reached, the company would need to show additional investment and Manitoba Film & Music would only support new initiatives that have not been previously funded.
Funding contributions: Applicants must disclose all other sources of financial assistance for the project. Manitoba Film & Musicâs contribution to the project combined with any other funding, including government or terrestrial radio programs cannot exceed 100% of the total eligible budget.
Manitoba Music funding:
Where an applicant receives support for expenses from Manitoba Music that are also claimed as part of a Manitoba Film & Music Build grant, the combined contribution cannot exceed 75% of budget.
Payments and advances:
Funds will be disbursed according to a pre-arranged schedule and subject to satisfactory reporting requirements. The disbursement schedule will be as follows: 60% of Manitoba Film & Musicâs commitment amount upon the signing of Manitoba Film & Musicâs funding agreement, and 40% upon the submission and review by staff of your final report, with acceptable proof of payment (cancelled cheques, eTransfer receipts, credit card statements and money orders), and including any deliverables such as written reports, promotional materials, videos, or recordings.
Build Level 1 - eligible expenses:
Funding provided under this program may be used toward a wide range of company development activities. Examples could include overhead costs such as: staff salaries (capped at 25% of budget), day-to-day office costs, equipment and supplies, rent and occupancy costs, general or administrative training courses and costs associated with incorporating your business and/or presenting costs associated with a specific concert.
Build Level 2 - eligible expenses:
Funding provided under this program may be used toward a wide range of company development activities. Examples could include overhead costs such as: staff salaries (capped at 70%), day-to-day office costs, equipment and supplies, rent and occupancy costs, general or administrative training courses and/or costs associated with incorporating your business,
Administrative fee:
An administrative fee is recognized as an eligible cost. Manitoba Film & Music will recognize up to a maximum of 15% of the final accepted total costs of the project or $1,500, whichever is the lesser, as the administrative fee.
In-house costs:
Up to 25% of eligible costs for Build Level 1 and up to 70% of eligible costs for Build Level 2 may be in-house and/or related party transactions. Applicants must disclose all related party and non-armâs-length transactions in the submitted budget. Related party costs are only accepted if the person has a professional track record in the field of the service being delivered and has a registered business or corporation. Further to this, the expenses are accepted at the discretion of MFM staff and only if MFM can establish fair market value for the service being delivered. Related parties must be declared on the application form.
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