Business Improvement Grant - Assessment Criteria

The Business Improvement Grant supports projects that focus on professional development, increasing workforce capacity, and improving business efficiencies through technology infrastructure updates which result in growth, market expansion and improved profitability.

The Assessment Criteria was approved on April 1, 2024 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• No changes to date

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Phase One: Application Completeness

Applications must meet all Phase One criteria to be deemed complete and move on to the assessment panel for review. These criteria are assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan staff.

The Budget (yes/no)

A complete budget, using the Creative Saskatchewan budget template, has been uploaded to the application.

Budget Backup (yes/no)

The applicant has included budget backup for more than 50% of line items over $500.

Project Financing (yes/no)

The project financial structure in the project budget template is complete. The applicant has listed pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support.

Expense Eligibility (yes/no)

The majority of project expenses are eligible according to program guidelines. If ineligible expenses exceed 50% of the total project budget, the whole application will be deemed ineligible.

The Travel Itinerary (yes, no, or not applicable)

If travel is part of the project budget a complete travel itinerary, using the Creative Saskatchewan travel itinerary template, has been uploaded to the application.

Resumes, CVs or bios have been provided for all Saskatchewan travellers (yes, no, or not applicable)

Industry-Relevant Resumes, Bios and CVs (yes/no)

An industry-relevant resume, bio and/or CV has been uploaded for the applicant or applicant company.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

The Plan /20

Provide a detailed workplan describing how you and your team are going to execute the project. Make sure to include:

1. Descriptions of key tasks
2. Which team member is responsible for which tasks and why
3. Resources required to complete the project

The workplan should realistically inform the timeline and the budget.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based upon the rubric below: 

Fit and Skillset of Project Team /15

Describe the experience and skillsets of yourself, your company, and your team members. Please include:

1. Examples of relevant past projects of a similar nature completed by you, your company, or your team.
2. Brief explanation of why you’ve selected each team member for their role in this project.
3. Evidence of related professional training and industry experience for you, your company, or your team.

Industry-relevant resumes or bios for team members must be included in the Upload files tab.

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based on the rubric below: 

Return on Investment /10

What is your realistic return on investment? This may include:

1. Expected revenue
2. Expected increase in web traffic
3. Expected increase in traction on social media, reviews, events, blog posts, etc.
4. Increased outreach to a target market
5. Expanded audience/customer-base

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers based on the rubric below: 

Total – /45

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BONUS – Budget and Financing /5

Projects with third-party investment* will automatically receive the following points. Funding agreements need to be uploaded in the Upload Files tab to receive these bonus points.

*Tip: Not sure what is considered a third party investment? See our General Program Guideline Glossary or reach out to a Creative Saskatchewan team member.

BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility /6

Four bonus points will be awarded if you or the majority of your company owners/band stakeholder members (music)/collective members identify as any of the following:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis);
• Person from a racialized group;
• a Newcomer to Canada;
• Someone who lives in a northern (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

For companies, collectives, and music bands, a minimum 50% of the stakeholders must meet this criteria to receive the bonus points.

Two bonus points will be awarded if a key team member identifies as any of the following:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis);
• Person from a racialized group;
• a Newcomer to Canada;
• Someone who lives in a northern (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

A key team member is defined as a Saskatchewan resident who has significant influence over the creative, production, marketing plan and/or business plan and is compensated in the project budget at $500 or more.

The Diversity Declaration form, available on the Grant Management System’s Templates & Additional Materials page, must be completed and submitted to score these bonus points. This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.