How much funding can be received?

Get up to $12,000 in non-repayable contributions to develop information and planning workshops for First Nations communities and Indigenous entrepreneurs to learn about the cannabis industry, laws, and regulations.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant is intended for Indigenous communities and businesses located in British Columbia. The focus is on facilitating economic development within the regulated cannabis sector in this province.

B.C. First Nation governments, businesses, and economic development corporations.
B.C. Tribal Councils.
B.C. Indigenous Corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives, and institutions.
B.C. Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) entrepreneurs and businesses.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$12,000

Montréal

Development of educational materials for Indigenous cannabis entrepreneurs, focusing on regulatory compliance

$12,000

Ottawa

Setting up new Indigenous-owned cannabis retail businesses with comprehensive business planning support

$12,000

Winnipeg

Conducting a business advisory workshop series for expanding Indigenous-owned cannabis businesses

$12,000

Vancouver

Hosting workshops to educate Indigenous entrepreneurs on transitioning unregulated cannabis businesses into regulated industry

$12,000

Toronto

Creating business planning workshops for Indigenous communities interested in entering the regulated cannabis market

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by several criteria related to the ownership structure and financial capacity of the business.

Applicants must be B.C. First Nation governments, businesses, economic development corporations, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives, institutions, or Indigenous entrepreneurs.
First Nations businesses and Indigenous entrepreneurs must have a minimum of 51% Indigenous ownership of the business.
Indigenous ownership and control must be proportional to the equity invested in the business.
Applicants must be willing and able to share in the costs of the project.
On-Reserve projects must provide reasonable evidence of community engagement and support from First Nation government through a Band Council Resolution or equivalent.
On-Reserve projects must transition unregulated businesses to the regulated market, ceasing operations prior to the disbursement of the ICBF Grant.
Applicants must have financial capacity to provide between 25% to 60% of the project costs, depending on the project type.
Financing requirements must include reasonable assurance of commercial loan financing, alternative financing, or equivalent cash equity for certain project types.
Only one ICBF Grant is allowed per project, though multiple Indigenous owners can be included under one grant.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

B.C. First Nation governments, businesses, and economic development corporations; B.C. Tribal Councils; B.C. Indigenous Corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives, and institutions; and B.C. Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) entrepreneurs and businesses.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

There are no specific exclusions mentioned regarding ineligible companies or industries for the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund. The grant details primarily focus on the eligibility of Indigenous businesses and communities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund provides support for projects that aim to establish or expand regulated cannabis businesses within Indigenous communities in British Columbia. Eligible activities encompass business planning, licensing support, and capitalization for new or existing cannabis enterprises.

Establishment of new businesses within the regulated cannabis industry.
Expansion of existing regulated cannabis businesses.
Transition of existing unregulated cannabis businesses into the regulated industry.
Support for various business types including cultivation, processing, distribution, and ancillary services.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant covers specific expenses related to business planning, training, and capital costs for Indigenous cannabis business projects.

Business planning costs.
Business advisory services.
Staff training costs.
Business capitalization costs, including for business start-up and business expansion.
Construction and retrofit costs.
Equipment purchase costs.
Other related capital costs.

grant_single_labels|criteria

Community engagement stream (1) funding will incorporate a basic criteria-based process for selecting approved recipients.
The Business Planning, Design, and Capital stream (2) funding will incorporate best practice business assessment policies and procedures as carried out by one of the AFIs.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) Submission
- Complete and submit the ICBF Expression of Interest form available online.
- Provide necessary details about your business opportunity and funding requirements.
- Wait for contact from ICBF staff within 5 to 7 business days to discuss the process and next steps.
Step 2: Applicant and Project Screening
- Following the EOI submission, your application will be referred to an Aboriginal Financial Institution (AFI) in B.C. for further processing.
- The selected AFI will conduct a standard screening and due diligence process to assess project viability.
- Prepare for potential discussions and provide additional information as required by the AFI.
Step 3: Application Approval Process
- Community Planning and Engagement funding (Stream 1) will be based on basic criteria assessment.
- Business Planning, Design, and Capital funding (Stream 2) will undergo business assessment by the AFI using best practice policies and procedures.
- Await approval communication from New Relationship Trust or the assigned AFI.
General Enquiries and Support
- Reach out to ICBF staff via email if assistance or further discussion is needed before submitting your application.
- Utilize the Cannabis Navigator service for guidance and support in application preparation and cannabis opportunity development.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund aims to bridge gaps in capacity and funding and support diversity and equity for Indigenous stakeholders in the legal cannabis industry.
The initiative was collaboratively developed by BC Assembly of First Nations, AFIs, Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, and the BC Cannabis Secretariat.
The program includes a Cannabis Navigator to help Indigenous applicants navigate the application process and understand the cannabis business opportunity.
Eligible projects must demonstrate reasonable assurance of financial contributions ranging from 25% to 60% of project costs, through cash equity or financing.
The maximum cumulative ICBF Grant contribution per project is $250,000, subject to specific activity funding caps.
On-Reserve projects must evidence community engagement and support through mechanisms such as Band Council Resolution.

grant_single_labels|documents

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement

Apply to this program

Empowering Indigenous Participation in the Cannabis Sector

The BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund (ICBF) offers substantial financial support to Indigenous communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs in British Columbia to foster economic development in the regulated cannabis industry. Through non-repayable funding contributions, the initiative seeks to bridge gaps in capacity and funding, promoting diversity and equity within the legal cannabis space.

Understanding the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund: Objectives and Opportunities

The Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund (ICBF) is a pivotal program tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous communities and businesses eyeing a stake in the rapidly expanding regulated cannabis sector. By providing non-repayable funds, the ICBF aims to empower First Nations and Indigenous enterprises across British Columbia, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive in both the federally regulated realms of production, distribution, and retail, as well as the provincially regulated non-medical retail sales sector.

The initiative looks beyond mere economic advancement, targeting the creation of employment opportunities, enhancing skills development, and promoting indigenous entrepreneurship, particularly among women in rural and remote communities. A salient feature of the ICBF is its commitment to fostering a balanced development strategy that aligns community health, knowledge, and safety with economic growth prospects.

Strategically developed in collaboration with the BC Assembly of First Nations and various governmental and financial institutions, the ICBF ensures a robust support framework for Indigenous businesses. It aims to simplify the regulatory process navigation, offering two distinct funding streams dedicated to community planning, engagement, business planning, design, and implementation of cannabis-related projects.

The ICBF targets gaps in capacity among eligible applicants by facilitating workshops and community engagements that enhance awareness and readiness for market entry. Furthermore, business advisory services are part of the funding streams, equipping businesses with the necessary acumen to make informed decisions regarding licensing, permitting, and operational setup.

Eligible projects cover a broad spectrum, from establishing new regulated cannabis businesses to expanding existing ones, and transitioning unregulated businesses into the legal framework. The fund aligns its financial support with specific project needs, capping contributions based on activity type, thereby ensuring a fair distribution of resources tailored to achieve maximal impact.

By emphasizing the development of public awareness, supply chain participation, and procurement opportunities for indigenous brands, the ICBF not only supports economic diversification but also enhances the visibility and competitiveness of Indigenous products in the market.

The BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund represents a comprehensive effort to integrate Indigenous enterprises into the lucrative cannabis sector. Through strategic funding and support, it lays the groundwork for a sustainable economic journey, inviting Indigenous leaders to harness these opportunities and lead a transformative wave within their communities.