Promotional guidelines and graphics

Build Communities Strong Fund (BCSF) Local Impact Stream recipients

Additional signage and public acknowledgement requirements apply. Consult the BCSF Local Impact Stream public acknowledgement requirements webpage.

Public acknowledgement requirements for FedDev Ontario funding recipients

Public acknowledgement guidelines

In line with the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, these guidelines provide direction for the use of the Canada wordmark and FedDev Ontario’s bilingual acknowledgement graphic and text,  and outline expectations for public acknowledgement of projects and activities funded by the Agency.

General requirements

Recipients of Government of Canada funding, through FedDev Ontario, agree to promote the support provided in public communications related to their project, as directed by the Agency.

When recipients share information publicly about a FedDev Ontario-funded project, they must acknowledge Government of Canada support through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Public communications related to the funded project should include public acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario’s support for the period covered by the Contribution Agreement and up to 12 months following the project completion date.

This public acknowledgement must appear in communications products, including but not limited to: websites, social media, digital and print media (article, blog, newsletter), signage, news releases, success stories, public reports, marketing materials and print products.  Verbal acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario’s support should occur during speaking opportunities at public events related to the funded project.

How to acknowledge FedDev Ontario funding

When FedDev Ontario is the only provider of Government of Canada funding or support

• Feature FedDev Ontario’s bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic according to the specific requirements for the type of communications product being developed and, where possible, link it to FedDev Ontario’s bilingual intro page.
  Apply the appropriate graphic—either English-first or French-first text—depending on your language requirements.
• Include a written acknowledgement of funding with a link to FedDev Ontario’s website in bodies of text, such as a news release, article, video description and/or web content, featuring the funded project.
• Where legibility or accessibility is an issue (such as in social media graphics), the Canada wordmark must be used instead of FedDev Ontario’s acknowledgement graphic.
• Recipients must submit all project-related communications products to FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox for approval before sharing publicly, copying the assigned Communications Advisor and Project Officer.

When there are multiple providers of Government of Canada funding or support

• Feature the Canada wordmark according to the specific requirements for the type of communications product being developed and, where possible, link it to www.canada.ca.
• When possible and/or appropriate, include written acknowledgement of FedDev Ontario funding in the supporting text or description for the communications product and link the Agency’s name to FedDev Ontario’s website.
• Recipients must submit all project-related communications products to FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox for approval before sharing publicly, copying the assigned Communications Advisor and Project Officer.

When there are multi-level funding providers, including private sector organizations

• Feature FedDev Ontario's bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic or the Canada wordmark according to the specific requirements for the type of communications product being developed and, where possible, include the appropriate linking.
• Include a written acknowledgement and a link to FedDev Ontario's website in the supporting text or description for the communications product.
• Recipients must submit all project-related communications products to FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox for approval before sharing publicly, copying the assigned Communications Advisor and Project Officer.

How to apply acknowledgement materials to communications products

Websites, digital graphics or other electronic applications

• Feature FedDev Ontario’s bilingual funding acknowledgement graphic when FedDev Ontario is the only provider of Government of Canada funding and when space permits. The acknowledgement graphic must be linked to FedDev Ontario’s bilingual intro page, where possible, and applied in accordance with visual specifications.
  Apply the appropriate graphic—either English-first or French-first text—depending on your language requirements.
• Feature the Canada wordmark when acknowledging multiple federal funding providers, multi-level funding providers (as determined) or where space is limited. The federal identifier must be appropriately linked and applied in accordance with visual specifications.
• Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.

Social media

• Tag FedDev Ontario's social media accounts when posting about FedDev Ontario-supported projects or programs.
• Graphics developed for posting on social media platforms can use the Canada wordmark, when appropriate, for legibility and accessibility reasons.
• Include funding acknowledgement text and a link to FedDev Ontario's website in the post description, if possible.
• Email FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox with questions and to request approval, copying the assigned Communications Advisor and Project Officer.

Recipients are asked to tag FedDev Ontario and follow our social media accounts

• X: @FedDevOntario (EN); @FedDev_Ontario (FR)
• Instagram: @FedDevOntario (EN); @FedDev_Ontario (FR)
• Linkedin: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
• Facebook: @FedDevOntario

Videos

• Feature FedDev Ontario’s bilingual acknowledgement graphic at the end of the video for at least three seconds. It should not appear with other logos or identifiers.
  Apply the appropriate graphic—either English-first or French-first text—depending on your language requirements.
• When acknowledging multiple federal funders or multi-level funding partners (as determined) or where space is limited, the Canada wordmark can be used instead.
• Apply graphics in accordance with visual specifications.
• Include funding acknowledgement text in the video's description with a link to FedDev Ontario's website.
• Tag FedDev Ontario's social media accounts when posting videos to social media platforms.
• Email FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox with questions and to request approval, copying the assigned Communications Advisor and Project Officer.

Print/digital publications (magazines, brochures, newsletters, e-blasts, etc.)

• Feature FedDev Ontario’s bilingual acknowledgement graphic in an appropriate section of the print publication, as determined.
  Apply the appropriate graphic—either English-first or French-first text—depending on your language requirements.
• Feature the Canada wordmark when acknowledging multiple federal funding providers, multi-level funding providers (as determined) or when legibility or accessibility issues exist.
• Apply funding acknowledgement materials in accordance with visual specifications.
• Email FedDev Ontario's visibility inbox at visibility-visibilite@feddevontario.gc.ca with questions and to request approval.

Physical project signage

• Physical signage may be requested for projects receiving FedDev Ontario funding.
• Feature FedDev Ontario’s bilingual acknowledgement graphic when a physical project sign is produced.
  Apply the appropriate graphic—either English-first or French-first text—depending on your language requirements.
• Feature the Canada wordmark when acknowledging multiple federal funding partners, multi-level funding partners (as determined) or when legibility or accessibility issues exist.
• Apply funding acknowledgement materials in accordance with visual specifications.
• Email FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox with questions or to request approval, copying the assigned Communications Advisor and Project Officer.

News releases

• News releases related to a funded project, including projects carried out by Ultimate Recipients or along with other funding providers, must include acknowledgement of financial support for the project from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), with the included link.
• News releases can include the Canada wordmark when appropriate and if the design permits.
• News releases that are intended for public display or for sharing with media must be submitted to FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox for approval and copiedto the Communications Advisor and Project Officer assigned to the project, providing 15 business days for review.
• If other funding providers are permitted to include a message or quote(s) related to the project, the Government of Canada must have an opportunity to include its own message of similar size, quantity, duration and prominence. FedDev Ontario will prepare these messages and provide the final edit, including quotes from a federal representative(s) upon request.

Events

• Support from the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario must be acknowledged during public events related to the funded project. These events include, but are not limited to, project announcements and milestone celebrations.
• The Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, or an appointed delegate, must be given the opportunity to participate in these types of public events. A minimum of 15 business days’ notice must be given to the FedDev Ontario Communications Branch to inform the Minister’s office prior to the event.
• When planning an event, recipients should contact FedDev Ontario using FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox, copying the Communications Advisor and Project Officer assigned to the project.
• When a Minister or an appointed delegate participates in an event (in person or virtual), FedDev Ontario’s Communications Branch may provide support and appropriate acknowledgement options.

Verbal acknowledgements

• Include a verbal acknowledgement of Government of Canada support through FedDev Ontario during any speaking opportunity at public events related to the funded project. Below is an example of a verbal acknowledgement:

“I would like to acknowledge the Government of Canada's support through FedDev Ontario for (name of activity or event). I would also like to welcome (name of representative) to our event today.”

Note on official language requirements

• Public communications will be made available to the public simultaneously in both official languages.
  • Funding recipients should discuss Official Languages Act legislative requirements with their assigned FedDev Ontario Project Officer.

Access acknowledgement materials

Funding acknowledgement graphic options

Download funding acknowledgement graphics

Follow this link for French-first funding acknowledgement graphics

Funding acknowledgement text

The following funding acknowledgement text options may be used within large bodies of text, such as news releases or blogs. Please link to FedDev Ontario’s website, as shown.

Option 1: Preferred option

"This project is funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)."

Option 2:

"We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

Option 3:

"This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)."

Visual specifications

Visual criteria

• The acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark must be displayed in generous open space, free from close association with interfering or distracting elements.
• The acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark cannot be used in a headline, phrase or sentence.
• Full-colour versions should be used when a colour printing process or colour advertising product is selected.
• The smallest text in the acknowledgement graphic must be legible when the product is viewed at 100% full size (applies to both print and digital).

Things to avoid

• Adjusting or repositioning any aspect of the acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark.
• Text and font type replacements.
• Skewing, distorting or rotating the acknowledgement graphic or Canada wordmark (always lock aspect ratio to scale proportionally).
• Changing or adding any colour outside of official colour palette.
• Placing acknowledgement graphic, text or Canada wordmark over busy images or coloured backgrounds with a low contrast ratio.

How to request approval to use acknowledgement materials

• All funding acknowledgements and use of federal identifiers (acknowledgement graphics, Canada wordmark) must be approved by FedDev Ontario’s Visibility Team.
• Email FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox to request approval and copy the Communications Advisor and Project Officer assigned to the project.
• In the subject line of the email, please include the project number, business/organization name and item for review.
• Include all products submitted for approval as links or attachments with a brief explanation, if required. If you are submitting an item for approval that may require an edit, such as a news release, it must be attached as a word document.
• All attachments submitted for review must be clearly named, including the project number and business/organization name.
• All visibility requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Please allow 15 business days for the Visibility Team to approve your communications products.

Contact FedDev Ontario

For additional information on the Government of Canada’s Federal Identity Program and/or the use of Agency funding acknowledgement materials, email FedDev Ontario’s visibility inbox. Please make sure to copy your assigned FedDev Ontario Communications Advisor and Project Officer on all email requests.

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