Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z.

Q: Who is eligible for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program?

To be eligible for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program, you must: • Must be a B.C. Indigenous-owned business (minimum 51% Indigenous ownership). • Must demonstrate financial capacity to contribute 25%-60% of project costs. • Grants are not a stand-alone source of funds; cost-sharing is required.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement?

You can contact New Relationship Trust.

Q: Where is the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement available?

The Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program is available the province of BC.

Q: Are women eligible for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program?

Yes, women are eligible to apply for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement program.

Last Update: August 11, 2025

BC, Canada

Support for Indigenous business development in the cannabis sector

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $12,000

Timeline

Closing date : December 1, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum grant contribution of $250,000 per project.
Up to $12,000 for Stream 1: Community Planning and Engagement (on-reserve only).
Funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs for business planning, advisory services, and staff training.
Funding covers up to 40% of eligible costs for business capitalization.

Activities funded

Facilitating information and planning workshops to educate Indigenous communities about the cannabis industry and regulatory environment.
Organizing community engagement initiatives to support informed participation and address local needs, interests, and concerns regarding cannabis projects.
Supporting business planning and advisory activities for new or existing Indigenous cannabis ventures.
Assisting with licensing, permitting, and design projects required for compliant cannabis business operations.
Enabling the transition of unregulated Indigenous cannabis businesses into the legal, regulated sector.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 12,000

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

$ 12,000

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

$ 12,000

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

$ 12,000

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

$ 12,000

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

Eligibility

The applicant must be a B.C. First Nation government, business, economic development corporation, Tribal Council, Indigenous corporation, partnership, association, co-operative, institution, or an Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) entrepreneur or business in British Columbia.
The business must have a minimum of 51% Indigenous ownership, with Indigenous control proportionate to equity invested.
Applicants must demonstrate the financial ability to contribute between 25% to 60% of project costs, depending on project type.
On-Reserve projects require evidence of community engagement and First Nation government support (such as a Band Council Resolution or equivalent).
Eligible projects must relate to the establishment, expansion, or transition (from unregulated to regulated) of businesses in the federally or provincially regulated cannabis sector, including cultivation, processing, distribution, and ancillary services.

Who is eligible?

First Nation governments in British Columbia
Indigenous businesses and economic development corporations in British Columbia
Tribal Councils in British Columbia
Indigenous corporations, partnerships, associations, co-operatives, and institutions in British Columbia
Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, Inuit) entrepreneurs and businesses in British Columbia

Who is not eligible

Businesses operating in the unregulated cannabis market that do not intend to transition to the regulated industry (unregulated businesses must cease operations prior to disbursement of ICBF Grant).
Companies that are not Indigenous-owned (less than 51% Indigenous ownership or control that does not align with the equity invested).
Applicants unable or unwilling to share in project costs or demonstrate financial participation (grants are not a stand-alone funding source).

Eligible expenses

Business planning costs (up to 75% subsidized).
Business advisory services and staff training (up to 75% subsidized).
Business capitalization expenses, such as start-up and expansion costs (up to 40% subsidized), including construction, retrofits, and equipment purchases.
Costs for government licensing, permitting, and other related fees required for business establishment.
Feasibility studies and development of business plans.

Eligible geographic areas

British Columbia

Selection criteria

Assessment of project viability through screening and due diligence procedures conducted by Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs).
Evaluation based on basic criteria for community engagement stream (Stream 1) applications.
Application of best practice business assessment policies and procedures for business planning, design, and capital stream (Stream 2) applications.

How to apply

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.

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.

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.

Additional information

Applicants are generally required to have financial capacity to contribute between 25% to 60% of project costs, depending on the project type.
Only one ICBF Grant can be awarded per project, but multiple Indigenous owners can be included under a single grant application.
Applications will be accepted continuously until December 1, 2025 or until available funding is exhausted.
The Cannabis Navigator service is available to assist Indigenous applicants with guidance, feedback, and resource referrals related to their cannabis business opportunity.

Documents and links

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Community Planning & Engagement. 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.