Community Futures Manitoba — Indigenous Business Development Services

This grant provides financial assistance to Indigenous entrepreneurs and organizations in Manitoba through targeted funding modalities. The support aims to facilitate business development activities and capacity building projects.

• Financial assistance of up to $7,500 is available for winners of the Indigenous Business Planning Competition to start their business.
• Organizations can receive up to $5,000 to implement Capacity Building Projects that support Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Funding of up to $5,000 is available for Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFIs) Community Futures (CFs) to deliver training and business counselling in rural and northern Manitoba, with up to $1,000 available for non-IFI CFs.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements for organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs.

• Organizations must be serving Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitoba.
• Preference is given to applications that demonstrate partnerships among service providers or partners.
• Projects needs to be designed to encourage, support, and/or assist Indigenous entrepreneurs.
• All projects must be completed by March 31, 2025.

Who is eligible?

The Indigenous Business Development Services (IBDS) program does not specify particular types of companies as eligible for the grant but focuses on supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs and organizations serving them. The grants are available for several initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurial growth within Indigenous communities, particularly in rural and northern Manitoba.

• Business information and resource material distribution
• Business plan preparation assistance
• Business advisory services
• Workshops and seminars for business training
• Capacity building projects for organizations supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs
• Training, workshops, or business counseling sessions specifically in First Nations, Metis, or Inuit communities

Eligible expenses

Eligible projects for this grant support the capacity building of organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs. They aim to foster collaboration and provide essential resources and services to enhance entrepreneurship among Indigenous communities in Manitoba.

• Projects that encourage, support, and assist Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitoba.
• Capacity building initiatives that involve partnerships among service providers.
• Training, workshops, or business counselling sessions in First Nations, Metis, or Inuit communities.
• Projects completed by March 31, 2025, designed to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Eligible geographic areas

The Indigenous Business Development Services program targets Indigenous entrepreneurs in rural and northern Manitoba. This regional focus aligns with enhancing support for diverse Indigenous communities within these areas.

• Rural Manitoba
• Northern Manitoba

The evaluation and selection criteria for the Indigenous Business Development Services Capacity Building Projects grant are designed to prioritize organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs and those demonstrating collaborative partnerships. Applicants are expected to provide detailed project proposals with clear budget and cash flow summaries.

• Organizations serving Indigenous entrepreneurs
• Preference for applications demonstrating partnerships among service providers/partners
• Completed application form
• Detailed budget and cash flow summary
• Project completion by March 31, 2025

The Indigenous Business Development Services Program offers various resources and support services to Indigenous entrepreneurs including business information, advisory services, and training. The program also sponsors the Dragon's Quest Business Planning Competition and provides funding for capacity building projects and training in rural and northern Indigenous communities.

• Deadline for the 2024 Dragon's Quest Business Planning Competition is March 15, 2024, at 4:30pm.
• Call for Proposals 2024/2025 is accepting applications for Capacity Building Projects due March 31, 2025.
• Each organization can receive up to $5,000 for capacity building projects encouraging and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs in Manitoba.
• Contact person for submissions and more information: Raena Baker, Project Coordinator, via email at rbaker@cfmanitoba.ca.