🎉 Hurray! We got a grant and we want to make cool things happen in our community! And we need YOU (College West BIA Member businesses) to help us make it happen. Take a few minutes and scroll down 🔽 to learn more. 

Events to be hosted between July 25th - October 31st , 2023. 
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
(roll your finger or your mouse over each of the questions to see it highlighted and the answer appear) 
​What is the purpose of this initiative?
The College West BIA is a great community that is nestled west of Little Italy, south of Bloordale, north of Little Portugal & Brockton Village. 

​We have so many wonderful eateries, shops and services, but not many people really know where “College West” is. 

Our goal is to better enhance the community identity through activating and partnering with our member businesses with events or activities. We want to make College West a destination that people will learn more about and love to return to.
Where is the funding coming from? ​
The BIA applied and received funding through the City of Toronto’s Main Street Innovation Fund (MIF). This program is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
What are some examples of the types of events or activities that we can apply for?
  • Art workshop
  • Pop-up music concert 
  • Facilitate a FREE service to the community like bike tune-ups or provide free tips on a key topic (i.e small business accounting) 
  • Host a trunk show 
  • Pop-up market 
What are the timelines for the program? ​
  • Events to take place between July 25th  - October 31st 
  • Application portal is open July 10th - October 13th 
    • **Special note that we reserve the right to close the portal earlier should funds be awarded and committed prior to application deadline ​
How much money is available per event and per business? ​
  • Up to $1500 per business (a business may hold MORE than one event, but no more than $1500 will be awarded in totality to one business for this initiative)
  • Up to $1000 per event ​
How much lead-time is required to apply for an event?
  • The deadline to apply is until October 13th or until funds have been awarded
    • We encourage everyone to apply ASAP. 
  • The total amount available for this program initiative for events is $30,000
Who is allowed to participate? ​
  • This is open to member businesses to apply only 
  • **Note that we do encourage partnership with local residents and individuals OR partnering with another member BIA business 
  • A local resident or other community group can apply WITH a member BIA member ​
Why should I participate? ​
  • The purpose is to bring more business, tourism, and economic growth to your busines and the neighbourhood 
  • It may also be an opportunity for an individual business to test out a new project or initiative 
  • It fosters and strengthens community 
  • Increase visibility and awareness of your business and surrounding businesses ​
Who is overseeing the rollout of this initiative?
The College West BIA Events Committee (which includes a minimum of 2 Board Members)  ​
How will the events be promoted? ​
  • On the BIA’s social media
  • On the BIA’s events calendar on the website
  • Through the applicant’s social media outlets, efforts and networks (i.e. existing customers, influencers, word of mouth) 
  • Where applicable or appropriate, they will be shared to the local elected officials and media outlets ​
Can an entry fee be charged for the events? ​
  • Ideally we encourage:
    • FREE 
    • PWYC (pay what you can) 
    • a minimum donation model 
  • Should an applicant wish to charge a registration fee beyond $10, then this will be discussed on an applicant by applicant basis where required ​
Can Funding Be obtained by Other sources? 
If more funds/monies are needed beyond what the grant is able to offer, you are welcome to find additional sponsors and partnerships. Please note that they must fall within accepted industries, or else the event or activity may no longer qualify for the MIF funding.

**Note we can NOT partner with tobacco, cannabis, vape or illicit drug brands, companies or elements promoting the use of these products 
Rules of Engagement 
  • Monies can NOT be used for the purchase of alcohol or alcoholic beverages, cannabis, illicit drugs, or tobacco products
    • **Note  ➡️ alcohol can be served at events, but must NOT be promoted through this grant 
  • Monies can NOT be used for regular staffing 
    • The intent is for the dollars to be used for facilitation fees of special guests (i.e musical artists, facilitators, etc.) 
  • Monies can NOT be used for space or venue rentals
  • Monies CAN be used for items such as the following: 
    • Food / non-alcoholic beverage purchases
    • Materials needed to host the event (i.e. craft materials, serveware) 
    • Marketing (printed posters, digital ad spend, graphic design) 
    • Artist fees (i.e. facilitator, musicians, etc.)
    • Decor  (i.e. balloons)
    • Applicable equipment rental for the purpose of the event (i.e. speaker and microphone rentals) 
    • Other items that are based on each individual applicants submission as approved by the BIA Events Committee 
  • Events must include the College West BIA logo on all promotional material
  • No partnerships or collaborations shall be done with tobacco, cannabis, vape or illicit drug brands, companies or elements promoting the use of these products 
  • A short report must be submitted before final payment is released (see sample report) 
  • A 25% holdback of funds will be in place until the final report is submitted (sample report can be found here) 
  • Funds will be dispersed with 75% being released upon signing of an agreement (see sample agreement)