How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 750000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund?

Aboriginal Business Investment Fund is funded by Government of Alberta, Ministry of Indigenous Relations (AB)

Aboriginal Business Investment Fund

Q: What are Aboriginal Business Investment Fund's eligibility criterias?

Eligible applicants are Indigenous communities in Alberta or corporate entities owned by Indigenous communities located in Alberta. Communities must own and control 51% or more of the proposed business or joint venture. Applicants must be in compliance with the terms and conditions of any previous Indigenous Relations funding.

Last Update: January 24, 2025

AB, Canada

Funding for Alberta Indigenous community development

Aboriginal Business Investment Fund at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $150,000 to $750,000

Timeline

Open Date : May 15, 2024
Closing date : September 15, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Government of Alberta
Ministry of Indigenous Relations (AB)

Status

Closed

Overview of the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund program

If your organization is Indigenous community-owned, get a grant between $150,000 and $750,000 to cover the costs of an economic development project that has long-term viability for the community.

Financing terms and conditions

The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund provides flexible financing options to support the capital costs of Indigenous community-owned economic development projects. The financing terms are designed to maximize the economic benefits for Indigenous communities.

Aboriginal Business Investment Fund grants range from a minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of $750,000.
Grants can cover up to 100% of eligible capital costs, including equipment purchases and building construction or improvement.
Funding for projects is determined by the requested amount, eligible costs, and program budget.
An ABIF grant can be combined with funding from other government or industry sources.
Applicants are encouraged to request the minimum amount needed to successfully implement the project.
The amount of funding requested must be supported by the detailed project activities in the application.
Funding consideration will also depend on the availability of funds, alignment to program priorities, and the applicant's access to other financial contributions.

Eligible projects & activities

The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF) supports Indigenous community-owned economic development projects that aim to enhance economic and social outcomes. Eligible projects focus on creating business opportunities, employment, and local revenue streams, as well as strengthening community economies.

Projects poised to start operations or begin construction within the funding year.
Initiatives that increase the number of Indigenous community-owned businesses.
Projects that boost employment opportunities for Indigenous Peoples.
Development of projects that generate or enhance local revenue streams for Indigenous communities.
Business opportunities with long-term viability and potential for generating spin-off businesses.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 500,000

Launching a community-owned artisan cooperative

$ 600,000

Building an agro-tourism facility on community-owned farmland

$ 550,000

Establishing a community-owned renewable energy facility

$ 500,000

Expanding Indigenous-owned cultural tourism business

$ 700,000

Establishing a community-owned lumber mill

$ 700,000

Setting up a community-owned fish processing plant

Eligibility criteria of the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund program

Eligibility for this grant is focussed on Indigenous communities and corporate entities in Alberta with specific ownership and compliance criteria.

The applicant must be an Indigenous community in Alberta or a corporate entity owned by Indigenous communities located in Alberta.
Communities must own and control 51% or more of the proposed business or joint venture.
Corporate entities must be in good standing.
Applicants must be in compliance with the terms and conditions of any previous Indigenous Relations funding.
An Indigenous community may submit only one ABIF application in any given funding year.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF) are Indigenous communities in Alberta or corporate entities owned by Indigenous communities located in Alberta. It is required that:- Communities must own and control 51% or more of the proposed business or joint venture.- Corporate entities must be in good standing.- Applicants must be in compliance with the terms and conditions of any previous Indigenous Relations funding.- An Indigenous community may submit only one ABIF application in any given funding year.

Eligible expenses

The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund focuses on funding capital costs for Indigenous community-owned economic development projects. These projects aim to enhance social and economic outcomes by creating businesses, employment, and revenue within Indigenous communities.

Capital costs for starting or expanding Indigenous community-owned businesses.
Construction or improvement of buildings and infrastructure related to business operations.
Purchases of equipment necessary for business development.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available only to Indigenous communities or corporate entities owned by Indigenous communities located in Alberta, Canada. Applications from regions outside of Alberta are not considered eligible for the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund.

Indigenous communities within Alberta.
Corporate entities owned by Indigenous communities in Alberta.

Eligibility criteria of the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund program

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund grant are determined by a set of criteria aimed at assessing their potential economic impact and viability.

Community benefits: Projects must demonstrate significant benefits to Indigenous communities, such as job creation and revenue generation.
Management risk: Evaluation of the management team’s capacity and experience to successfully execute the project.
Industry risk: Assessment of the risks associated with the industry in which the business operates.
Financial risk: Analysis of the financial soundness and sustainability of the project, considering funding sources and cost estimates.

How to apply to the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund program

Read the guidelines

Refer to the ABIF Application Guidelines to learn the program’s terms and conditions.

Complete your application package

Fill out the ABIF Grant Application Form, defining the business and scope of work clearly.
Include a detailed breakdown of estimated costs or funding sources.
Provide a reasonable timeline for carrying out project activities with project milestones.
Submit a comprehensive business plan for ongoing operations or use the business plan template.
Demonstrate community support with documents such as a Band Council Resolution.
Attach supporting documentation like feasibility studies, permits, and partnership arrangements.

Submit the application package

Submit one electronic copy of the entire application package to [email protected].

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The ABIF grants can cover up to 100% of eligible costs for capital projects.
Eligible costs include equipment purchases and the construction or improvement of buildings and infrastructure.
The amount of funding received may depend on the number of applications submitted in a given funding period.
Applicants are advised to request the minimum amount necessary to successfully run the project.
A comprehensive evaluation process includes a cross-ministry panel review and may include an in-depth assessment for top-scoring projects.
Successful applicants must provide audited financial statements and a narrative summary detailing the significance of the project and its outcomes.
The Alberta government may conduct follow-up evaluations of the project's effectiveness.

Apply to this program

Voucher for mid-to-late stage development in Alberta