Supporting Our Community Through Local Advertising

At the Bonavista Residents’ Association, our goal has always been simple: to bring neighbours together and create meaningful local experiences.

From movie nights and kids’ events to seasonal activities, everything we do is powered by volunteers and supported by our community.

As our neighbourhood continues to grow, so does the interest from local businesses wanting to connect with Bonavista residents through our Facebook group. We see this as an opportunity, but also something that needs to be managed thoughtfully.

Why We’re Making a Change

Our Facebook group was created first and foremost as a space for neighbours to connect.

Over time, we’ve seen a steady increase in promotional posts. While many are valuable and relevant, too many can begin to impact the overall quality of the group experience.

At the same time, there is strong interest from businesses seeking visibility, and from residents who want to see our events continue and expand.

To balance these needs, we are introducing a more structured approach to local advertising.

What’s Changing

We are introducing a tiered system for promotional posts within our Facebook group.

1. Community Posts (Free – Application Required)

We will continue to support small, neighbour-to-neighbour promotion.

This category is intended for:

  • Bonavista residents

  • Small-scale or home-based services

  • Side projects or personal businesses

Guidelines:

  • Posts are permitted on Fridays only

  • Maximum of one post per week

  • Content must be relevant and appropriate for the community

To ensure fairness and consistency, all community advertisers are required to complete a short application form prior to posting. This allows us to confirm eligibility and maintain the quality of the group.

2. Local Business Advertising (Prepaid Post Credits)

For larger or more commercial businesses, we offer prepaid advertising options.

This includes:

  • Established businesses

  • Businesses operating outside Bonavista

  • High-frequency advertisers such as real estate and contracting services

How it works:

  • Advertising is purchased in advance as post credits

  • One credit equals one Friday post

  • Credits may be used over a defined period

Pricing:

  • $10 per post credit

  • $30 for a package of 4 post credits

This model simplifies administration and provides flexibility for businesses while ensuring consistency in how advertising is managed.

3. Community Sponsors (Monthly Partnership)

For businesses seeking consistent visibility and a deeper connection to the community, we offer Community Sponsor partnerships.

$50 per month includes:

  • Four Facebook posts per month (one per week)

  • Recognition on the Bonavista Residents’ Association website

  • Inclusion in community email communications

  • Recognition at community events

These partnerships are designed to provide ongoing exposure while directly supporting neighbourhood programming. Availability may be limited to maintain quality and visibility.

Content Standards

All advertising content is subject to review and approval to ensure it aligns with community standards and the overall purpose of the group.

Why This Matters

This approach allows us to maintain a high-quality community space while supporting local businesses and generating funding for neighbourhood events.

It ensures that:

  • The Facebook group remains useful and community-focused

  • Residents can continue to support one another

  • Businesses have clear and fair access to promotion

  • Events can continue to grow and improve over time

Community Support

Additional details will be shared soon, including:

  • Application process for advertisers

  • Updated Facebook group guidelines

  • Launch timing

If you are interested in advertising or becoming a Community Sponsor, we welcome you to reach out.

Thank You!

Everything we do is focused on building a stronger Bonavista. This change helps ensure we can continue creating events, supporting connections, and growing as a community.