Amplify Norfolk Grants Program

Amplify Norfolk Grants Program

• About the program
• Priorities
• Deadlines
• Grant categories
• Project timing
• Eligible/ineligible applicants
• Eligible/ineligible projects
• Eligible/ineligible expenses
• Project budget
• Final report requirements
• Application process and requirements
• Contact us

About the program

This program provides grants to not-for-profit organizations to produce new live entertainment events where the applicant is responsible for production and presentation costs, including artist fees, venue rental, production costs, and items for headlining artists’ technical and hospitality riders. Amplify Norfolk Grants will match up to 50% of eligible expenses. The event organizer must commit an equal or greater amount of funding. Additional funding can be from other grant programs outside the Corporation of Norfolk County, community groups, fundraising, private contributions, etc.

2023 Fairgrounds Festival Recap

Priorities

The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program supports the development and presentation of first-time live entertainment events by Norfolk-based not-for-profit organizations (including BIAs/Chambers/Board of Trade and co-productions). These live events can include, but are not limited to, live concerts and festivals, stand-up comedy, art festivals with a live component, theatre, dance and sporting events. Amplify Norfolk Grants are meant to de-risk first-time live entertainment events, with the intent being that organizations will be able leverage grant funding to help create a more sustainable economic environment for themselves that will allow that organization to produce live entertainment events in the future.

The program requirements are to support:

• Projects that are new and expand the scope of entertainment publicly available in Norfolk County
• Projects that take place outside of peak tourism season (July-August)
• Projects that promote tourism, increased spending, and overnight stays in Norfolk County (i.e. tourism bundles, business partnerships, etc.)
• Projects that demonstrate strong artist merit (i.e. professional artists, cultural importance, community influence, etc.)
• Projects that demonstrate strong viability through experience, research, budgets and planning
• Projects that demonstrate a strong impact on applicants, communities, audiences and participants
• Projects that demonstrate a commitment to longevity and future self-sufficiency
• Projects that demonstrate the ability to leverage grant funding to gain additional funding from other sources
• Projects that encourage collaboration among entities within Norfolk County (venues, businesses, other groups)

Deadlines

The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program application submission deadline is November 3, 2024.

Grant categories

The 2025 Amplify Norfolk Grant Program has a total funding allocation of $105,000 across several grant amount categories. The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program will fund up to 50% of eligible expenses through available grants of $20,000 and $40,000. If the number of available grants within each grant amount category is not met through eligible applications, the selection committee reserves the right to recommend alternative amounts within the maximum amount available, pending council approval.

*Can add to other grants.

Project timing

The project for which you are applying for grant funding must take place, and funding must be used from January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025*.

*Events not to take place in July or August, but funds may be used during that time period.

Eligible/ineligible applicants

Eligible applicants

• Not-for-profit organizations that meet one or more of the following requirements:
  • is registered in Ontario as a non-profit corporation by the applicable provincial or federal authority or ministry; or
  • is a registered charitable organization; or
• BIA’s, Chambers of Commerce, Board of Trade Organizations
• Co-productions are also eligible. A co-production is defined as an activity where a not-for-profit organization enters into an arrangement with a partner individual, collective, private enterprise, or organization for the production of a live entertainment event. Each partner assumes responsibilities for different aspects of the project’s total expenses and associated revenues. An arrangement for which a party receives a guaranteed fee from a presenter is not considered a co-production. The non-for-profit organization must be the lead applicant of the Amplify Norfolk grant and should provide letters of confirmation to demonstrate the legitimacy of the partnership.
• Applicants from the 2024 Amplify Norfolk grant process who were not successful but may have conducted a first-time live entertainment event in 2024

Ineligible applicants

• Individuals
• Private enterprises
• Ad hoc groups and collectives
• Schools
• Religious institutions
• Bands, individual artists, orchestras, and youth orchestras
• Previous Amplify “partner” event grant recipients (NCAS, OTH/Waterford Lions)

Eligible/ineligible projects

Eligible projects

• New Single Event: presentation or production of a single live entertainment event for which professional artists are paid.
• New Event Series: presentation or production of two or more live entertainment events for which professional artists are paid.
• New Festival: presentation of performances that take place in a concentrated period of time
• New live entertainment added to an existing event that has no live entertainment.

Ineligible projects

• Events that already have live entertainment (except for those events that first occurred in 2024 that are directly related to an unsuccessful application for the 2024 Amplify grant program)
• Creation of artworks
• Fundraising activities
• Productions lacking professional performers
• Creation of music videos or other audio-visual productions such as documentaries, short films, or strictly promotional materials
• Projects that do not attempt to attract tourists to Norfolk County
• Award ceremonies
• Activities/Events that take place outside of Norfolk County
• Activities/Events that are not open to the public
• Activities/Events that are not related to the grant-funded entertainment portion of an event. For example, if a project is to add live entertainment to an existing fair, the grant will not cover other fair activities/events.

Eligible/ineligible expenses

Amplify Norfolk Grants will fund up to 50% of eligible expenses. The organization must match or exceed grant request funding.

Eligible expenses

• Artist fees
• Production costs such as stage, lighting, sound, and specialty staff
• Venue and equipment rental
• Purchase of small-scale equipment and/or software required to complete the project (maximum $500)
• Marketing, publicity, and promotional costs
• Items on a headlining artists’ technical and hospitality rider
• Specific operating expenses that directly relate to project execution

Ineligible expenses

• Expenses for activities that take place outside of Norfolk County
• Purchases of equipment exceeding $500
• Buying, leasing, or renovating buildings
• General organizational operating expenses such as staff salaries, office rent, and office supplies
• Expenses that are not related to the grant-funded entertainment portion of an event. For example, if a project is to add live entertainment to an existing fair, the grant will not cover other fair expenses

Project budget

Applications must include a completed Project Budget Form (required). This budget form will be used to confirm at least a 50% organizational funding match, confirm eligible expenses, and evaluate financial viability and cost-effectiveness. Norfolk County will require proof of cost for any project expense item over $5000. The Project Budget Form will be found in the application package.

Final report requirements

Grant Recipients must provide a detailed and accurate report for the project by filling out and submitting the Grant Reporting Form (required) to Norfolk County no later than 60 days after project completion. The Grant Reporting Form can be found in the application package. Failure to submit a grant report will eliminate the organization(s) from any future Norfolk County grant funding consideration. Should an organization apply for a grant while a previous grant project is still considered open, should their application be approved, funds will be held until the previous project is complete and the Grant Report has been received.

This “Grant Reporting Form” will request the following information

• Organization Information
• Final Budget / Financial Report
• Project Report
  • Describe the project’s outcome using the quantitative and measurable goals and/or project metrics outlined in your application.
  • How did the grant help you to achieve your project goals?
  • How did the funding have a positive impact on Norfolk County?
  • How was Norfolk County recognized in the course of your project?
  • What were some of the project challenges?
  • What are your organization’s next steps after project completion?
  • Photos or Links – Please attach any relevant photos or links that relate to the project.

Reminder: Only 50% of eligible actual expenses can receive the (matching) grant.

Application process and requirements

The application period is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied!

Evaluation process and criteria

All applications must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. This includes a complete application, applicant eligibility, project eligibility, expense eligibility, project timing, and that applicants are in good standing with the County.

Applications will be evaluated by a Selection Committee of Council. The Selection Committee of Council will evaluate each application against the Amplify Norfolk Grant Program Priority Requirements outlined above and as questions in the application.

Applications will be reviewed in November 2024. Norfolk County Council will make the final recommendations and decision on grant funding in December 2024. After the final decision, funds will be deployed in January 2025.

Contact us

Email:  [email protected]