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Community Opportunity Readiness - Canada

Community Opportunity Readiness

Last Update: August 7, 2025
Canada
Supports First Nation and Inuit communities' economic development initiatives

At a glance

Eligible Funding
  • No Condition
Timeline
  • Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Funds Providers
Unspecified
Program status
Open

Overview

The Community Opportunity Readiness Program supports First Nation and Inuit communities with partial funding to develop community-owned businesses and enhance economic participation through activities such as feasibility studies, business planning, and economic infrastructure development. Applicants must secure complementary funding, as the program covers only a portion of project costs; the maximum funding amount is not specified in the available guidelines.

Financing terms and conditions

  • The program provides a portion of the total project budget; applicants must secure the remaining funds from other sources.
  • The project must generate community economic benefits that exceed ISC contributions by a minimum ratio of 5:1.

Activities funded

  • Pursuing economic opportunities through feasibility studies, planning, negotiations, and related assessments.
  • Attracting private sector investment via marketing, advertising, and promotion related to business readiness.
  • Supporting the start-up and expansion of community-owned businesses by addressing equity gaps and providing business advisory services and training.
  • Facilitating commercial and market development initiatives for community enterprises.
  • Developing economic infrastructure that supports business activities at the community level.

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be a First Nation or Inuit community or government, including tribal councils, located in the provinces.
  • The project must pursue economic opportunities or support community-owned businesses.
  • The applicant must demonstrate access to other funding sources or contribute their own resources.
  • The proposal must aim to generate net economic benefits for the community, such as job creation, training, business contracts, or increased community revenues.

Who is eligible?

  • First Nation community-owned businesses
  • Inuit community-owned businesses

Eligible expenses

  • Costs for feasibility studies
  • Marketing, advertising, and promotion expenses
  • Planning and negotiation costs
  • Legal fees related to assessing economic opportunities
  • Land surveys and property appraisals
  • Business advisory services and training expenses
  • Expenses related to commercial and market development
  • Community economic infrastructure development expenses (not tied to a specific business)

Eligible geographic areas

  • First Nation and Inuit communities and their governments, including tribal councils, located in the provinces of Canada.

Selection criteria

  • Potential of the project or activity to generate net economic benefit for First Nation and Inuit communities.
  • Achievement of a minimum benefit-to-contribution ratio of 5:1 (community economic benefits should exceed ISC contributions by a minimum of five to one).
  • Creation of community economic benefits, such as jobs, training for community members, contracts and purchases from community businesses, business start-ups or expansions, and increased community government revenues.
  • Demonstrated management capacity and business expertise of the applicant in relation to the project.
  • Long-term viability of the proposed business opportunity and its alignment with federal economic strategies and priorities.

How to apply

1

Assess community readiness

  • Identify the economic opportunity relevant to the First Nation or Inuit community
  • Determine the community's readiness and needs for economic development
2

Compile supporting documentation

  • Gather documents demonstrating community needs and potential benefits
  • Collect information on intended projects, partners, and other funding sources
3

Prepare application proposal

  • Prepare a detailed proposal including project objectives, economic benefits, and contributions from other sources
  • Ensure compliance with program guidelines and eligibility criteria
4

Submit the application

  • Submit the complete application and all required documents to Indigenous Services Canada
  • Ensure all submission guidelines are followed
5

Await funding decision

  • Wait for assessment and decision from Indigenous Services Canada
  • Be prepared to provide additional information if requested

Additional information

  • The program consolidates several former funding programs, streamlining support for community economic development.
  • Funding is proposal-based and subject to a competitive selection process, with no guarantee of approval for every applicant.
  • ISC emphasizes the importance of leveraging other funding sources in addition to program support.
  • Environmental impact is considered in the assessment of all proposals.
Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Opportunity Readiness Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Opportunity Readiness. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Community Opportunity Readiness?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Community Opportunity Readiness?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Community Opportunity Readiness a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Community Opportunity Readiness?

Who is eligible for the Community Opportunity Readiness program?

Who can I contact for more information about the Community Opportunity Readiness?

Where is the Community Opportunity Readiness available?

Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Community Opportunity Readiness program?

Apply to this program

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