Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada – Indigenous Community Business Fund (2021)

Description:

The Indigenous Community Business Fund provides non-repayable financial contributions to help support First Nations, Inuit and Métis community-or collectively-owned businesses and microbusinesses whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund supports the operation of the businesses as well as costs to support the adaptation, planning and reopening of a businesses.

The fund has 2 streams:

  • Stream 1: funding will be transferred directly to communities and collectives to immediately support their COVID-19 economic priorities. No applications are required for stream 1 funding.

  • Stream 2: funding will be proposal-based and applications must be submitted by the community or collectives on behalf of the business.

Comments on Funding:

Funding will take the form of non-repayable financial contributions.

Eligibility:

The community or collectives are eligible and can apply for stream 2 funding if the business:

  • is First Nations, Inuit or Métis community-or collectively-owned;
  • is located in the provinces;
  • has been in operation since October 1, 2019;
  • has either incurred a negative financial impact due to COVID-19 or that financial support will prevent layoffs, bankruptcy or permanent closure;
  • has been solvent, financially viable, and not declared bankrupt prior to the economic disruptions associated with COVID-19;
  • currently operates as a for profit entity and expects to continue to operate with a reduction in revenues from the previous year over the coming months as a result of COVID-19 in line with the terms of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy;
  • has previously applied for federal business support and been declined, in whole or in part, or does not qualify under business support eligibility criteria: this may include applications to more than 1 federal program depending on the requested support;

A First Nations, Inuit or Métis community or collective may apply for funding for 1 or more community-owned businesses. Businesses in the territories must apply to the Northern Business Relief Fund.

Applications Steps:

Stream 1 funding will be transferred directly to communities and collectives to immediately support their COVID-19 economic priorities. No applications are required for stream 1 funding. 

Stream 2 funding will be proposal-based. Applications must be submitted by the community or collectives on behalf of the business. Funding will be transferred directly to communities and collectives. For First Nations and Inuit community-owned businesses, the funding will be administered by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) regional offices. For Métis collectively-owned businesses, funding will be administered by Métis organizations listed in the “Métis businesses” section.

First Nations and Inuit businesses that apply for stream 2 funding must:

Métis businesses must apply directly to the Métis organizations that is in the same province as their Métis business (Apeetogosan Métis Development Inc. for Alberta, Métis Financial Corporation of British Columbia, Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Voyageur Development Fund for Ontario and SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation for Saskatchewan). Each organization will assess the applications they receive in line with ICBF criteria.

For details on the application process, please contact the Métis organization of your province.

For other provinces, applicants can submit their application package by email to the appropriate ISC regional office in the contact us section below.

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    Documentation Needed:

    Applicants must submit:

    1. financial statements to demonstrate the decrease in revenue that covers the period of the application request;
    2. a copy of their business continuity or recovery plan;
    3. letters patent or incorporation documents, if incorporated;
    4. other documents could be requested from the applicant if needed.

    Other Things to Note:

    The fund seeks to provide support for businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.

    It is intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these businesses and microbusinesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic, with the goal of positioning them for recovery.

    COVID Related Measure:

    The fund seeks to provide support for businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.

    It is intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these businesses and microbusinesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic, with the goal of positioning them for recovery.

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