Amplify Norfolk Grants Program
The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program application process is now closed.
Please find our complete Amplify Norfolk Grant Program Guidelines here.
The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program supports the development and presentation of live entertainment events by Norfolk-based not-for-profit organizations. These live events can include, but are not limited to, live concerts and festivals, stand-up comedy, art festivals with a live component, theatre, dance and sporting events. Amplify Norfolk Grants are meant to de-risk first-time live entertainment events, with the intent being that organizations will be able to leverage grant funding to help create a more sustainable economic environment for themselves that will allow that organization to produce live entertainment events in the future.
This program provides grants to Not-For-Profit organizations to produce live entertainment events where the applicant is responsible for production and presentation costs, including artist fees, venue rental, production costs and items on headlining artists’ technical and hospitality riders.
Amplify Norfolk Grants will match up to 50% of eligible expenses. The event organizer must commit an equal or greater amount of funding. Additional funding can be from other grant programs outside of the Corporation of Norfolk County, community groups, fundraising, private contributions, etc.
The program’s priorities are to support:
- Projects that expand the scope of entertainment publicly available in Norfolk County
- Projects that take place outside of peak tourism season (July-August)
- Projects that promote tourism, increased spending and overnight stays is Norfolk County (i.e. tourism bundles, business partnerships etc.)
- Projects that demonstrate strong artist merit (i.e. professional artists, cultural importance, community influence etc.)
- Projects that demonstrate strong viability through experience, research, budgets and planning
- Projects that demonstrate a strong impact on applicants, communities, audiences and participants
- Projects that demonstrate a commitment to longevity and future self-sufficiency
- Projects that demonstrate the ability to leverage grant funding to gain additional funding from other sources
- Projects that encourage collaboration among entities within Norfolk County (venues, businesses, other groups)
The 2024 Amplify Norfolk Grant Program has a total funding allocation of $105,000 across several grant amount categories. The Amplify Norfolk Grant Program will fund up to 50% of eligible expenses through available grants of $20,000 and $40,000.
If the number of available grants within each grant amount category is not met through eligible applications, the selection committee reserves the right to recommend alternative amounts within the maximum amount available, pending council approval.
Grant Value |
Quantity |
Total Value |
|---|---|---|
$20,000 |
1 |
$20,000 |
$40,000 |
2 |
$80,000 |
$5,000 Accessibility Funding* |
1+ |
$5,000 |
Total |
3+ |
$105,000 |
Eligible Applicants
Not-for-profit organizations that meet one or more of the following requirements:
- is registered in Ontario as a non-profit corporation by the applicable provincial or federal authority or ministry, or
- is a registered charitable organization or
- is a volunteer-based community organization or group that can demonstrate that it provides a clear benefit to Norfolk County
BIA’s, Chambers of Commerce, Board of Trade Organizations
Co-productions are also eligible
A co-production is defined as an activity where a not-for-profit organization enters into an arrangement with a partner individual, collective, private enterprise, or organization for the production of a live entertainment event.
Each partner assumes responsibilities for different aspects of the project’s total expenses and associated revenues. An arrangement for which a party receives a guaranteed fee from a presenter is not considered a co-production. The not-for-profit organization must be the lead applicant of the Amplify Norfolk grant and should provide letters of confirmation to demonstrate the legitimacy of the partnership.
Ineligible Applicants
Individuals
Private enterprises
Ad hoc groups and collectives
Schools
Staff will initially review all applications to ensure they meet the minimum eligibility requirements. This includes the verification of the following: a complete application, applicant eligibility, project eligibility, expense eligibility, project timing and that applicants are in good standing with the county.
Applications that meet the minimum eligibility requirements will then be evaluated by the selection committee. The selection committee will be the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC). The selection committee will evaluate each application against the Amplify Norfolk Grant Program Priorities, which are outlined as questions in the application.
The selection committee will review applications during the month of February 2024 and make recommendations for grant funding to Norfolk County Council.
Council will make their final decision in March 2024, and funds will be deployed after the final decision at the end of March 2024.
For more information please contact:
Matt McGinty – Supervisor, Community Programs
519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK Ext 1336 [email protected]
Check out some highlights from the 2023 Fairgrounds Festival
Waterford Pumpkinfest
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Bedouin Soundclash to headline Pumpkinfest Mainstage on October 14Ticket sales start at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 22! The musical evening also includes performing artists Logan Staats and Alysha Brilla. The unprecedented Pumpkinfest concert lineup is supported by Amplify Norfolk, Norfolk County’s latest music tourism initiative. |
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Langton RocksJune 3, 2023 |
Amplify Norfolk is sponsoring live music and fireworks display in Langton to kick off Norfolk Community Days.
The day starts off with a Langton Fire Hall Tour, then head over to the Langton Community Centre for the Langton Lions Free Community BBQ, Meet & Greet Councilor Vandendriessche, free glow-in-the-dark face painting and treats by the Langton Figure Skating Club and Youth Action Committee Kids Zone from 2-4 p.m.
Followed by Live Music & Langton Lions Refreshments.
The live music will feature
- Back to the 50’s from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
- Lady Evil from 6 - 9:15 p.m.
Then, Fireworks Display Finale by the Langton Fire Fighters Association at 9:30 p.m.
Let’s start off Norfolk Community Days with a bang!
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Fairgrounds FestivalJune 9-10, 2023 |
An extension of the successful 2022 Norfolk Night Market highlighting live local musical acts, artisan vendors, food trucks, local beer and wine gardens, interactive games, and this year the event, now called Fairgrounds Festival, will add two evenings of Party on the Track Concerts featuring Headline Artists in an immersive festival setting, as part of Amplify Norfolk initiative.
