Open
Community Opportunity Readiness Program
Supports Indigenous community economic development
Last Update: May 15, 2026
Funding available
$ 3,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Provides support of up to $3,000,000 for First Nation and Inuit communities to pursue economic opportunities and business development. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, business planning, advisory services, training, market development, and community economic infrastructure.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
- Fee-for-service model
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Pursuit of economic opportunities and attraction of private sector funding
- Community-owned business start-up, acquisition, or expansion where there is an equity gap
- Business planning, advisory services, training, commercial development, and market development for a single community-owned business
- Community economic infrastructure development not linked to a specific eligible business
Documents Needed
- Applicant information and contact details
- Project description and planned activities
- Cost forecast and financing sources
- Supporting documents such as a feasibility study or business plan
- Proof of community support, such as a BCR or letter of support
- Quotes or estimates for project costs
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nation and Inuit communities and their governments, including tribal councils
- Organizations and associations controlled by First Nation and Inuit communities
- Non-Indigenous organizations and associations providing economic development services for First Nation and Inuit communities
- The Province of Ontario, in relation to the Canada-Ontario Resource Development Agreement
Who is not eligible
- Organizations or associations with charitable purposes
- Organizations or associations with religious purposes
Eligible expenses
- Project-specific salaries, wages, and benefits
- Overhead, including rent, utilities, supplies, repairs, accounting, audit, and insurance
- Communications, marketing, advertising, signage, and translation
- Professional, consulting, advisory, and report production fees
- Land surveys, appraisals, feasibility studies, and promotion
- Planning, design, and capital costs for eligible business or infrastructure projects
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Services normally provided free of charge, such as community honoraria
- Operation, repair, and maintenance of economic or municipal infrastructure
- Public buildings and other community infrastructure unrelated to commercial development
- Replacement of assets
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Passive real estate investments
Eligible geographic areas
- Provinces in Canada
- Ontario, for projects related to the Canada-Ontario Resource Development Agreement
Processing and Agreement
- Applicants may submit a Statement of Intent before a full application.
- ISC reviews the statement and advises whether the project meets program criteria.
- The regional office evaluates and prioritizes the full application against program criteria.
- Approval is not guaranteed and depends on the proposal review.
Additional information
- The program is proposal-based.
- A brief Statement of Intent may be submitted first.
- Recipients may need to provide progress and final reports.
- Community support documentation may be requested.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Opportunity Readiness Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Opportunity Readiness Program. 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 Program?
Provides support of up to $3,000,000 for First Nation and Inuit communities to pursue economic opportunities and business development. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, business planning, advisory services, training, market development, and community economic infrastructure.
How much funding can be received?
Community Opportunity Readiness Program Funds up to $3,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Community Opportunity Readiness Program program?
To be eligible for the Community Opportunity Readiness Program program, you must:
Eligible recipient
Eligible project and costs
Meets CORP objectives
What expenses are eligible under Community Opportunity Readiness Program?
Pursuit of economic opportunities and attraction of private sector funding
Community-owned business start-up, acquisition, or expansion where there is an equity gap
Business planning, advisory services, training, commercial development, and market development for a single community-owned business
Community economic infrastructure development not linked to a specific eligible business
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Opportunity Readiness Program?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
Where is the Community Opportunity Readiness Program available?
The Community Opportunity Readiness Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Community Opportunity Readiness Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Community Opportunity Readiness Program is a Grant and Funding