What is AWS MDF?
Marketing Development Funds help offset marketing costs to drive demand generation and build the sales pipeline. AWS says MDF can be cash or AWS Promotional Credits. The request's funding option determines the process.
MDF eligibility and funding options
Eligibility depends on the partner's program access and funding option. Check the current benefits and request in AWS Partner Central. A partner tier alone does not establish a fixed annual budget.
The five-step cash MDF claim process
1. Request and obtain activity approval
Use the current Partner Central funding workflow. Confirm the approvals and purchase-order requirements for a cash request before execution.
2. Execute and keep the evidence
Keep the activity evidence and actual costs needed for the program. Proof of execution must reflect what happened; it is not something to invent after the activity.
3. Submit the cash claim actuals
Submit the actuals and required evidence. AWS guidance says claims must be submitted within 30 days after activity completion or by December 15 in the request's calendar year. Confirm the exact expiration on your request.
4. AWS reviews the claim
AWS reviews and approves or rejects the actuals. A prepared or submitted claim is not an approved claim. If rejected, review the reason before making corrections.
5. Submit the invoice and track payment
After claim approval, AWS provides a Payee Central link for invoicing. AWS guidance says invoices should be submitted after claim approval and before the expiration date. Track the invoice and payment separately.
Common claim issues to check
- Claim actuals submitted after the applicable expiration.
- Evidence or actual costs missing from the submission.
- Work, dates or costs that do not match the approved scope.
- Program requirements not met for the activity.
- Claim approval completed but the invoice still outstanding.
Best practices for approval and follow-through
- Confirm approval requirements before spending.
- Keep itemized costs and evidence as the activity runs.
- Assign owners for the claim and invoice stages.
- Use the request's dates and current program guidance.
- Track payment status without assuming a submitted invoice is paid.
Where Vela fits in the workflow
Vela supports AWS funding work directly in the platform without requiring CRM. It prepares and submits the Payee Central invoice for supported approved cash claims. Keep customer approval, AWS claim approval, invoice submission and payment status separate.
Program scope and permissions still matter. Keep real activity evidence and actual spend; demo data is not evidence of recovered funding or guaranteed approval.
Sources: AWS funding benefits · Fund request lifecycle · Claims and invoice timing