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, 2026 for the 2026-27 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• May 1, 2026 – Under BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, it was clarified that someone who lives in a northern, rural, or small urban community is defined as living greater than 50 KM outside of Regina or Saskatoon.

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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 templates are updated annually, and applicants are encouraged to double check that they are using the most up to date template.

Project Financing (yes/no)

A completed project financing structure listing pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support has been included in the application.

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.

Budget Line Support Documentation (yes/no)

Budget line support documentation should be provided for all line items $500 and over. If support documentation has not been provided for more than 50% of line items $500 or more, the application will be deemed ineligible.

Examples of budget line support documentation include:

• Estimates or invoices from vendors and service providers
• A calculated breakdown of applicant or staff labour (#of hours x $rate = total)
• An email, text message, price list, or website screenshot from the vendor or service provider confirming their rate.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

Quality of Project 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: 

Alignment and Skillset of Project Team /15

Describe the experience and skillsets of yourself, your company, or your team members (if applicable). Please include the following:

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.

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 some or all of the following:

1. Expected revenue: Include the calculations and context you used to come up with your expected revenue and where you have pulled these projections and historical numbers from. What revenue do you expect and why do you expect this revenue?
2. Jobs or contract positions created for Saskatchewan residents (this includes the applicant)
3. Expanded audience/customer-base
4. Expected increase in web traffic, social media engagement, newsletter subscriptions, etc.)

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.

This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.

BONUS – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility /4

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, rural, or small urban community (greater than 50 KM outside of Regina or 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. By completing this table, you are declaring confidentially that you identify accurately as part of the communities and identities specified. This information is not shared with external assessors.