Funding Amount

First Year: Up to $25,000 (new exporters) or Up to $50,000 (experienced exporters); Subsequent Years: Up to $300,000

Deadline

October 1, 2026

175 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

FundMatch Program

Overview: WUSATA's FundMatch Program helps qualifying companies compete in international markets by providing 50% cost reimbursement for eligible marketing and promotional activities. This effectively doubles your global marketing budget.

Program Details

Annual Cap: $300,000 (subsequent years)

Geographic Scope: Western United States (WUSATA region)

Focus Areas: International marketing and promotional activities for food and agricultural exports

    Funding Structure

    First Year:
  • New exporters: Up to $25,000
  • Experienced exporters: Up to $50,000

Subsequent Years: Up to $300,000

Minimum Marketing Budget Required: $5,000 (for $2,500 reimbursement minimum)

    Eligible Activities

  • Advertising
  • Trade shows
  • Global Connect events
  • Marketing plans can be customized for specific country goals
  • International travel and M&IE
  • International trade seminars
  • Outbound trade missions
  • Label and packaging
  • Webpage production
  • Printed sales material
  • Translation
  • Uniforms
  • Virtual promotional events
  • In-store demonstrations and displays
  • Freight and shipping
  • Giveaway items
  • Domestic trade shows and seminars
  • Wages for temporary labor

    Eligibility Requirements

  • Headquarters: Must be headquartered in the WUSATA region
  • Business Size: Must qualify as a small business under SBA standards
  • U.S. Agricultural Content: Products must contain at least 50% U.S. agriculture content (ingredients farmed, fished, or forested in the USA)

    Ineligible Markets

  • South Africa (effective immediately, per USDA compliance with Executive Order)

Application Timeline

Application Period: Opens August 1st annually for the following year's cycle (January 1st - December 31st)

Note: For 2026, the application period will open October 1st, 2025 (delayed by two months to implement program enhancements)

    Fees

  • Application Fee: $300 (prior to program year) or $350 (after January 1st)
  • Administration Fee: 6% of allocation amount (due at contract signing)

Program Process

1. Engagement: Work with an assigned Engagement Executive to ensure compliance 2. Marketing Activities: Conduct approved marketing activities 3. Reimbursement: Submit claims after each activity for 50% cost reimbursement 4. Claims: Must be submitted within 60 days of activity completion 5. Processing: WUSATA reviews documents; payment issued by ACH or check (up to 14 days)

Contact Information

Phone: (360) 693-3373 Email: fundmatch@wusata.org Address: 4400 NE 77th Ave, Ste 275, Vancouver, WA 98662

How to Apply

Application Process

1. Create MyWUSATA Profile
- Register at wusata.org
- Provide company and product information

2. Prepare Required Documentation
- Product labels (front and back)
- Origin calculation sheet/ingredients
- Certificate of exclusivity/brand owner documentation
- International and domestic marketing plans
- In-country partner agreements
- Certification statement

3. Submit Application
- Access FundMatch application through MyWUSATA account
- Complete online application
- Pay application fee: $300 (before January 1st) or $350 (after January 1st)

4. Application Review
- FundMatch Manager reviews all documents and eligibility
- May request additional documentation

5. Contract & Payment
- Sign FundMatch contract after approval
- Pay 6% administration fee on allocation amount

6. Conduct Marketing Activities
- Execute approved marketing activities during program year (Jan 1 - Dec 31)

7. Submit Claims
- Submit claim with all supporting documentation within 60 days of activity completion
- Complete trip reports (if applicable) including purpose, findings, and contacts
- Include travel expense summary per traveler
- Provide ATO travel notification (either automatic system or manual form)

    Required Documentation Summary

  • Product labels (front and back)
  • Origin calculation sheet/ingredients list
  • Certificate of exclusivity or brand owner proof
  • International marketing plan
  • Domestic marketing plan
  • In-country partner agreement
  • Certification statement
  • Trip reports (purpose, findings/conclusions, contacts)
  • Travel notifications to Agricultural Trade Office (ATO)
  • Travel expense summaries
  • Proof of event participation (invoices, receipts, business cards)

    Tutorial & Support

  • Video tutorial available: FundMatch Application Tutorial on YouTube
  • Monthly claim tutorials available for various activity types
  • Staff available for consultation at (360) 693-3373

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

small-businessesagriculture

Categories

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