County launches Amplify Norfolk grant program for 2025

The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program aims to help not-for-profit organizations stage live entertainment events in 2025.

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The goal of the program is to promote tourism, overnight stays and increased spending locally by those who attend. The program also aims to support the development and presentation of first-time live entertainment events by not-for-profit organizations in Norfolk with strong artist merit and community influence, said a release from Norfolk County.

“Applicants for the Amplify Norfolk Grant Program have to demonstrate they have the necessary backing and resources to at minimum match the municipal grant,” noted Brandon Sloan, Norfolk County’s general manager, administration, community development division. “They must provide a budget outline which is reviewed as part of the evaluation.”

Part of any grant submission and approval, Sloan explained, is agreeing that the grant will ultimately be based on actual costs, so if an event is canceled or actual costs are less than the original budget the difference would be returned back to the municipality.

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The Amplify Norfolk grant program will fund up to half of eligible expenses that include venue and equipment rental, artist fees, marketing and advertising, and production costs that may include lighting, sound, stage, and specialty staff.

The grant program has a total funding allocation of $105,000 with grants available for $20,000 and $40,000 for projects slated for the 2025 calendar year outside of the July and August peak tourism season.

A selection committee of council will review each application in November 2024 before Norfolk County council makes final grant funding decisions the following month.

Part of the requirements for funding is a project budget that must be submitted confirming a minimum 50 per cent funding match by the applying organization, listing eligible expenses and evaluating the cost-effectiveness and financial viability of the proposed event.

Not-for-profit organizations registered in Ontario, charitable organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Board of Trade Organizations and BIAs are eligible to apply online from September 20 to November 3, 2024.

For more information and to apply visit norfolkcounty.ca/amplify.

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