Closed
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)
Non-repayable support for Indigenous community businesses
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
Provides non-repayable funding to support Indigenous community-owned and collective businesses affected by COVID-19. The program covers operating support and costs tied to adaptation, planning, reopening, and business continuity.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Attract or retain talent
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business continuity or recovery support related to COVID-19.
- Adaptation, planning, and reopening activities.
- Community or collective economic recovery initiatives.
- General business support services.
- Support for microbusiness operations.
Documents Needed
- Most recent interim financial statement.
- Articles of incorporation or incorporation documents, if applicable.
- Business continuity or recovery plan.
- Attestation form.
- Completed financial assistance application form.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nation community-owned businesses
- Inuit community-owned businesses
- Métis collective-owned businesses
- Microbusinesses owned by Indigenous communities or collectives
Who is not eligible
- Businesses in the territories, which must apply to the Northern Business Support Fund instead.
Eligible expenses
- Operating costs such as utilities, insurance, bank interest, professional fees, rent or mortgage, wages, property taxes, and supply or delivery costs.
- Costs linked to adapting, planning, or reopening the business, including compliance, retraining, marketing, technology, maintenance, and repairs.
- Lease or equipment payments, where applicable.
- Debt service on existing debt, if not linked to other federal COVID-19 support.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Unreasonable costs or expenses not related to operating, adapting, planning, or reopening the business.
- Refinancing or repaying debt linked to other federal COVID-19 support.
- Depreciation and goodwill costs.
- Building purchases.
- Loss of revenue.
- Services provided by a federal or provincial government.
Eligible geographic areas
- Provinces
Selection criteria
- Eligibility of the applicant and costs.
- Financial impact caused by COVID-19.
- Potential to prevent layoffs, bankruptcy, or permanent closure.
- Financial viability and solvency.
- Application completeness and required documents.
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete the application form
- Fill in all required fields.
- Use the best available information.
- Do not submit extra materials unless requested.
- Step 2: Prepare supporting documents
- Gather the required financial and business documents.
- Include the attestation and incorporation documents if applicable.
- Step 3: Submit the application
- Send the complete package by email to the regional office representative.
- Step 4: Wait for acknowledgment
- Applicants receive an acknowledgment within 2 business days.
- Additional documents may be requested during review.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed in the order received, for First Nations and Inuit businesses.
- Applications are checked against eligibility before funding is assessed.
- The department may request additional information or missing documents.
- Decisions are communicated as they are made.
- For Métis businesses, the provincial Métis organization evaluates the application.
Additional information
- The program is closed.
- Applications are accepted on a continuous basis until the fund is fully exhausted.
- Incomplete applications are considered ineligible.
- Only supporting documents identified in the application should be submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) Program
What is the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
Provides non-repayable funding to support Indigenous community-owned and collective businesses affected by COVID-19. The program covers operating support and costs tied to adaptation, planning, reopening, and business continuity.
Who is eligible for the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) program?
To be eligible for the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) program, you must:
Indigenous community-owned or collective business
Located in a province
COVID-19 financial impact
What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
Business continuity or recovery support related to COVID-19.
Adaptation, planning, and reopening activities.
Community or collective economic recovery initiatives.
General business support services.
Support for microbusiness operations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).
Where is the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) available?
The Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) program is available across Canada.
Is the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) is funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)