Canadian Magazine Industry News
3 February 2012,     VANCOUVER, BC
Mags BC scrambling for help after being denied CPF funding
The Magazine Association of B.C. (MABC) is scrambling for help after two federal Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) applications were turned down, putting the future of the association in jeopardy.

A letter to MABC states the applications did not meet “the Government of Canada’s ongoing objectives … to fund projects designed to deliver measurable and tangible results, to optimize available funds, and to meet the needs of Canadians," according to the organization.

 


A letter from the MABC to its members states The Department of Canadian Heritage has rejected both of MABC’s applications for funding totaling $151,694. "This sum constituted most of our working budget for the next few months," reads the letter. "We now face a seriously depleted cash reserve, and existing resources will only keep our doors open for a few more weeks."

The CPF Collective Initiatives Industry Investment grant ($125,020 was applied for along with a $26,675 industry market research grant application) targeted an internship initiative, 2012 magazine directory, school curriculum development, direct mail (subscription campaign), and a circulation boost.

MABC also applied for funding for projects to which is has already spent and committed cash, including bursaries, MagsWest 2011 and a News Group/BC Ferries initiative that is to run until June 2012.

The letter states that MABC projects rejected cannot reapply for funding, nor can it claim for any funds already spent.

The association does, however, have funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and Magazines Canada to offer a professional development conference on March 23 and 24, "as well as generous financial support from Access Copyright for our popular Mag Scene on Main event (formerly known as the Main Street Magazine Tour)."

Members are being sought for a task force to look into grants/partnerships, fundraising/sponsorships, board/committee recruitment/development, and advocacy, states the MABC letter. The first task force meeting will be held on February 9 at 5:30 p.m. (PST) in the Western Living magazine boardroom.

Sign up here.

The MABC was founded in 1993, and is a member-run organization that "represents, connects and promotes the BC magazine industry."

MABC went through a brand refresh in 2010, changing its name from British Columbia Association of Magazine Publishers. This is not the first time the association has been turned down for CPF funding; around that time it announced the continued funding for its office distribution program was denied under the Canada Periodical Fund. The program involved monthly, bi-monthly and controlled circulation of member magazines to 200 medical, dental and legal offices in the Lower Mainland of B.C.
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