Closed
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)
Non-repayable support for Indigenous community businesses
Record updated
- Funding available
- Varies by project
- Deadline
- Unspecified
- Location
- Canada
- Who can apply
- First Nation, Inuit or Métis communities or groups applying for one or more community-owned businesses.
- See full eligibility
Overview
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) provides 117 million dollars in non-repayable contributions to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis community or collective businesses in the provinces affected by COVID-19. It helps cover operating costs and expenses tied to adaptation, planning, reopening, marketing, and technology.
At a glance
Funding available
Varies by project
- Increase social or community impact
- Attract or retain talent
- Increase production or service capacity
- Increase operational productivity
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Ensure financial sustainability
- Renovate or adapt facilities
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Canada
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Legal structures
- For-profit business
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nation, Inuit or Métis communities or groups applying for one or more community-owned businesses.
- Métis businesses applying through the Métis organization in their province.
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
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.
How to apply
- Complete the financial assistance application form.
- Include the required supporting documents.
- Send your application package by email to the representative of your regional SAC office.
- Métis businesses must apply directly to the Métis organization in their province.
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.
Selection criteria
- Applications are evaluated in the order received.
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.
Contacts
Official sources
Frequently Asked Questions about the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) Program
What is the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) provides 117 million dollars in non-repayable contributions to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis community or collective businesses in the provinces affected by COVID-19. It helps cover operating costs and expenses tied to adaptation, planning, reopening, marketing, and technology.
Who is eligible for the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) program?
To be eligible for the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF) program, you must:
The business must be owned by a First Nation, Inuit or Métis community or collective.
The business must be located in a province and have been operating since at least October 1, 2019.
The business must show COVID-19-related financial impact or that support will prevent layoffs, bankruptcy or permanent closure.
What expenses are eligible under Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at aadnc.qctdeledqc.aandc@canada.ca or by phone at 1-800-263-5592.
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)