Digital Growth Grant

 

Yonge + St. Clair BIA Digital Growth Grant

BIA member businesses can receive a $500 grant to support and grow their business online.

WHAT IS IT?

In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the Yonge + St. Clair BIA has created a $15,000 Digital Support Fund to provide grants to member businesses (must be located in the Yonge + St. Clair BIA) in support of their digital transition and/or growth. The grant will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, allowing up to 30 eligible businesses to receive a grant of $500 each.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

This is grant funding that you will NOT need to repay.

 

 

WHAT CAN I USE THE GRANT FOR?

Whether this is the first time you’ve thought about going digital, or you already have an online strategy, this grant can be utilized in a unique way by every business to best help them transition or grow their online presence. This might include:

+ Setting up an online store

+ Creating tools to provide your services online (ie video classes)

+ Subscription costs for online tools or services

+ Necessary equipment

+ Staff training for digital technology

+ Digital marketing (ie social media ads)

+ Other digital growth needs

Not sure how you can use this grant? No worries. We’ve partnered with Digital Main Street, a non-profit organization that specializes in digital strategy, to provide you with free tools and guidance.

WHAT CAN’T I USE THE GRANT FOR?

Grants cannot be used for:

+ Purchasing unnecessary or expensive equipment, or repair of existing equipment

+ Owner’s salaries or salaries of existing employees

+ Repayment of loans or past debts

+ Previous purchases or expenditures

 

 

HOW DO I APPLY?

Step 1: BIA member businesses can schedule a chat with Lana Pribic of Digital Main Street (DMS) by booking an appointment here or emailing lana@digitalmainstreet.ca. Lana and the DMS team will discuss your online goals and help plan the best use of your grant.

Step 2: Once you’ve had a chat with the folks at DMS, please complete your application form here: Digital Growth Grant Application Form

Step 3: Successful applications will be contacted by email within 7 business days of submitting their application. Prior to receiving their grant funds, successful applications will be required to sign a simple contract outlining their obligations – including providing receipts of their digital support expenditures – to the BIA.

For any questions related to this grant, please contact info@yongestclair.ca.