Grow Your Business Online Grant

Get up to $2,400 to grow your Dance Studio, Swim School, Music School or Summer Camp

Swim schools, Summer Camps, and dance studios are constantly seeking ways to stay competitive and enhance their customer experience.

The Grow Your Business Online Grant, offered by the Canada Digital Adoption Program, provides a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs associated with adopting digital technologies.

Digital Transformation in the Sports & Leisure industry

The grant aims to assist Canadian businesses implement e-commerce, improve online customer service, adopt security software, and enhance their social media strategies.

Activity Messenger: A modern registration tool

Activity Messenger stands out as an ideal platform for swim schools, dance studios, summer camps or any for-profit organization in the sports and recreation industry looking to take advantage of this grant.

Based in Montreal, Activity Messenger offers several tools that can change the way your business operates online. From online registrations, to engaging newsletters and bulk SMS, to a Canadian based online form builder, it helps move your business rules online and be more efficient.

One of Activity Messenger’s key strengths is its ability to seamlessly integrate with popular tools like Canva, Stripe, and even ChatGPT.

This means that organizations can not only replace basic tools such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey or EventBrite with a Canadian alternative, but they can also potentially revamp their online registration process and e-commerce.

Eligibility

Before applying for the grant, it’s crucial for businesses to understand if they qualify:

• For-Profit Orientation: Your business must be a for-profit entity, which includes for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives.
• Registration and Incorporation: Ensure your business is properly registered or incorporated.
• Consumer-Facing Operations: Your business should sell goods and services directly to end consumers.
• Employment and Revenue Criteria: Having at least one employee (aside from the owner) or achieving at least $30,000 in annual revenue in the most recent tax year.
• Commitment to Digital Adoption: There must be a commitment to maintain a digital adoption strategy for at least six months.
• Willingness to Share Insights: Agreeing to participate in follow-up surveys and share data about your digital adoption experience is required, along with consent to have your business’s name published as a grant recipient.

Practical Applications

The grant is designed to support a range of digital enhancements that directly contribute to improving online sales and customer engagement.

Here’s how you use the funds from the grant:

• E-Commerce Development: Use the grant to create a new e-commerce site or add functionality to your existing online registration process. This could include online registration or booking tools, electronic payment options, and more.
• Platform Installation: Costs associated with the installation of an e-commerce or online registration platform, including any subscription fees, can be covered by the grant.
• Digital Marketing Consultation: Hiring a consultant to develop digital marketing strategies tailored to your ecommerce store is another smart use of the grant. This can include a range of activities, from social media advertising to targeted online campaigns to drive traffic to your site.
• Inventory and Sales Management: Implementing e-commerce software that helps track and manage inventory, market to customers, offer discounts, maintain a loyalty program, or enhance cybersecurity is an eligible expense.
• Hardware and Software Costs: The grant allows for up to 20% of its total value to be used towards the cost of necessary hardware and software.

It’s important to note that while the grant supports digital marketing and social media advertising, these activities cannot be the sole use of the funds. They must be part of a broader e-commerce implementation plan.

How to apply for the Grow Your Business Online Grant

Applying for the “Grow Your Business Online” is done following these steps

1. Check Eligibility: Start by using the CDAP grant assessment tool on the Canada Digital Adoption Program website to verify if your business qualifies for the grant.
2. Gather Documentation: Prepare necessary documentation, including business registration or incorporation certificates, and financial records to support revenue or number of employees.
3. Outline Your Digital Plan: Briefly outline how you will use the grant to improve your digital presence through e-commerce development or digital marketing strategies.
4. Submit Application: Complete the application form available on the Canada Digital Adoption Program portal. Include all required documentation and your digital adoption plan.
5. Await Confirmation: After submission, wait for confirmation and further instructions from the program administrators regarding the next steps or any additional information needed.

How Activity Messenger can enhance your digital strategy

For SMEs in the sports and leisure industry, adopting Activity Messenger using the grant can be a game-changer. The platform’s capabilities align perfectly with the grant’s guidelines with tools for online registrations, communications, payment and e-commerce.

Conclusion

The Grow Your Business Online grant provides a valuable opportunity for swim schools, dance studios and music schools to improve their digital capabilities.

Platforms like Activity Messenger serve as ideal partners in this journey, offering the tools and integrations to elevate your online presence and drive business growth.

Book a demo with one of our experts to learn more.
Learn more about the grant and how to apply.

FAQ

1. What is the Grow Your Business Online Grant in Canada? This grant is designed to help Canadian small businesses expand their online presence by providing financial assistance for digital upgrades such as websites, e-commerce capabilities and online registrations & marketing.
2. Who is eligible for the Grow Your Business Online Grant? Eligibility typically includes small to medium-sized Canadian businesses with a valid business number, are for-profit, and meet specific criteria established by the grant program.
3. How much funding can businesses receive through the Grow Your Business Online Grant? Businesses can receive up to $2400$ to cover eligible digital adoption expenses.
4. What expenses are covered by the Grow Your Business Online Grant? The grant covers expenses related to improving online operations, such as website creation, digital marketing, e-commerce solutions, and online registration solution.
5. How can Summer Camps, Swim Schools or Dance Studios use the Grow Your Business Online Grant? A great way to use the grant is to streamline online registration to increase sales with a Canadian platform like Activity Messenger.
6. Where can businesses get more information or assistance with the Grow Your Business Online Grant? For more information, visit the official government grant page or contact the administering agency directly.