Grant & Funding: Tips and Tricks
Want to know where to get started or looking for an example to base your own grant on? Look no further, cause once again, I did the research for you!
Trickle Down Music: Shawn Petsche
Shawn Petsche’s offer the single most comprehensive guide for Canadian musicians looking for avenues to improve their careers.
Whether it’s looking for detailed information on how to best release and promote your music, or personal examples of Shawn’s own successful grants, Trickle Down Music is a resource you cannot ignore.
GeneratorTO provides several youtube videos on speakers discussing grant writing, and other useful information on the process.
My biggest gripe is that it isn’t more comprehensive, but that could be said about the majority of public services in Canada. Yet it’s still useful for the friends who’d prefer videos over a wall of text.
Artist Producer Resource – Non-Profit Knowledge Database:
Has tons of categories, and appears to be user submitted, and open-source to a certain extent.
Little Dog Blog – Grant Information + Non-Profit Information
Hasn’t been updated since February, but it still has one of the most comprehensive grant, and funding lists in the country. Covers a broad category of non-profit, private, and foundation grant options.
And it’s BC based!
Art Reach – Non-Profit Knowledge Database:
Art Reach primarily serves the Toronto artist community, but they provide a ton of great guides to a variety of music related conundrums.
Tool Kits: Branding, Community Based Research, Grant Writing etc.
Resource Library: Holy…they provide an absolute metric ton of information on a litany of stuff… just check it out…
Tips and Tricks: Summarized
The Vancouver music scene thrives on innovation, and RnB and Hiphop artists are at the forefront. But turning artistic vision into reality often requires financial resources. Grants can be a powerful tool to fuel your creative fire. Here’s your guide to writing winning grant proposals in Vancouver’s RnB and Hiphop scene:
Know Your Stage:
Research: Identify grants specifically for music projects in Vancouver. Look for programs offered by the City of Vancouver, BC Arts Council, FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), and other music-focused organizations.
And if you’re lazy, I built an entire list for you…
Genre Focus: Highlight aspects of your project that align with the grant’s focus. RnB grants might favor songwriting residencies, while Hiphop grants could support music video production.
Craft Your Narrative:
Storytelling is Key: Don’t just list project details. Weave a compelling narrative that showcases your artistic vision, its impact on the Vancouver music scene, and your career goals.
Community Connection: Highlight how your project benefits the community. Will you host workshops, mentor youth, or contribute to cultural events?
Amplify BC, FACTOR, etc, all offer scoring sheets, and general tips and tricks. IGNORE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
IE. IF THEY’RE TELLING YOU WHAT THEY’RE FOCUSING ON. YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON IT (Example)
Different portions will be weighted differently, out of 100.
Budgeting for Success:
Be Realistic: Create a detailed budget outlining project costs (equipment rental, studio time, travel). Research average costs and obtain quotes if possible.
Demonstrate Resourcefulness: Show how you’ll leverage existing resources or collaborate with other artists to maximize grant funds.
Showcase Your Skills:
Portfolio Power: Include links to your music, performance videos, or previous projects. Showcase your talent and the potential of your grant-funded project.
The Team Behind the Beat: If working with collaborators, highlight their expertise and experience. A strong team increases confidence in your project’s success.
Ultra important: All letters of support are important, but not all letters of support are worth the same.
The music industry is a nepo babies paradise. The more prestigious the name, the more value it holds.
Yet, a varied portfolio of talent and collaborators, from projects unconnected with the submission are also very important.
Local Flavor:
Vancouver Vibe: Emphasize how your project reflects the unique character of Vancouver’s music scene.
Community Partnerships: Demonstrate connections with local venues, studios, or other music organizations. Building partnerships strengthens your proposal.
Beyond the Basics:
Readiness is Key: Start researching grants well before deadlines. Allow ample time to refine your proposal.
Seek Guidance: Many grant providers offer workshops or consultations. Utilize these resources to ensure your proposal shines.
Persistence Pays Off: Don’t be discouraged by rejections. Learn from feedback and refine your proposal for future applications.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
And I mean it. Dozens of grant writers, artists who’ve successfully gotten grants, and employees of these grant groups, constantly reiterate this point.
Know your effort isn’t wasted. You have to learn to reuse, and recycle prior grants to expedite your process.