Creative Industries Fund: non-profits and service organizations
Non-profits and service organizations can apply for funding from the Creative Industries Fund to help increase sales and grow the presence of Nova Scotia’s cultural products outside the province.
Use the Creative Industries Fund Application Form to apply for funding.
The Creative Industries Fund helps non-profits and service organizations:
- promote distribution of creative content to national and international markets
- increase the exports of Nova Scotian creative products
- build brand awareness and increase audience engagement in new markets
- diversify and increase revenue streams
- increase the export potential for Nova Scotian cultural products outside of Nova Scotia
Apply through the Creative Industries Fund for creative businesses application process if your organization is a creative business (not through the non-profits and service organizations application process).
Funding amount
The Creative Industries Fund may fund up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000 for each project. The applicant needs to fund the balance of the costs.
Eligible project costs and activities
Eligible project costs and activities for industry support projects include:
- market intelligence, research and lead generation in new markets
- industry professional development initiatives
- industry marketplace development initiatives
- industry growth initiatives
Eligible project costs and activities for export projects include:
- business, strategic and marketing plans
- market intelligence, research and lead generation in new markets outside of the province
- touring for performing non-profit organizations
Ineligible costs include:
- recurring or ongoing operational activities
- employee wages not directly related to the project
- administration costs
- production costs and content creation costs
- website maintenance and hosting fees
- monthly subscriptions
- capital purchases (like buildings and software)
- projects or project components already funded through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage or Arts Nova Scotia
- GST, HST, PST and QST
- quarantine costs related to travel and touring
Funding categories
The Creative Industries Fund has different categories for non-profits and service organizations: Industry Support and Export. Applicants can apply for funding from 1 category (not both funding categories).
Eligibility
Non-profits and service organizations can apply for funding if the organization is registered and in good standing with Registry of Joint Stock Companies or federally registered under the Corporations Act.
Non-profits and service organizations also need to have a mandate to support 1 of the following disciplines:
- fashion and design
- production and fine craft
- published works
- performing arts
- music
- screen
- visual arts and applied arts
Ineligible groups
Organizations that are ineligible for funding (and can’t apply) include:
- municipalities, First Nation Band Councils, museums, archives, libraries, churches and faith-based organizations, multi-cultural associations or any other organization whose main operational and programmatic focus isn’t the delivery of arts and culture programming
- universities, colleges, other post-secondary institutions, school boards, public and private secondary schools, First Nations schools administered by a First Nation and Indigenous administered schools
- non-profits and service organizations working on digital gaming and animation
You need to apply for funding by 1 December 2026. The funding program processes applications as they receive them until all available funds are allocated (gone). Once all funds are allocated, the program closes and no longer accepts new applications.
Review detailed program and eligibility criteria in the Creative Industries Fund Guidelines for non-profits and service organizations.
How to apply
- Review detailed program criteria in the Creative Industries Fund Guidelines for non-profits and service organizations.
- Determine your funding category.
- Contact the Creative Industries Fund to discuss your project idea and confirm your eligibility.
- Complete the funding application.
- Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
- Complete the budget template.
- Send your completed application, supporting documents and budget template by email.
How long it takes
It should take 3 to 4 months for the program to review your funding application and let you know if your funding application is approved. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
There is no cost to apply.
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- Registry of Joint Stock Companies ID, if applicable
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Business Number, if applicable
- total cost of project
- description of project
- project locations
- project objectives
- work plan, including timelines, key steps and dates for completion
Application form
Alternative format: Creative Industries Fund Application Form - Non-profits and Service Organizations (Export Project) (PDF) (743.91 KB)