PrairiesCan — Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund in the Prairie provinces

• Incorporation documents and proof of signing authority
• Business plan for the organization and proposed project
• Financial statements for the past 2 years
• Interim financial statements for at least the last 6 months
• Letters of support and partner letters, if applicable
• Confirmation of non-PrairiesCan project funding, if applicable

Who is eligible?

• Black-led not-for-profit organizations
• Incubators and accelerators
• Innovation hubs
• Business and entrepreneur support organizations
• Organizations supporting social enterprises or cooperatives

Who is not eligible

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations that are not Black-led
• Organizations not located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba
• Unincorporated organizations

Eligible expenses

• Labour costs (wages and benefits) and materials used
• Incremental project operating costs (e.g., management fees, working capital, translation)
• Consulting and professional/advisory/technical service fees
• Advisory and training-related costs (e.g., coaching/mentoring/networking events, workshops and conference fees)
• Subcontracting, market expansion/maintenance costs, and promotional/management tools production and distribution

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Refinancing existing debts; amortization or depreciation of assets
• Infrastructure improvements (construction, expansion, or modification of buildings)
• Purchasing an asset above fair market value
• Land acquisition and goodwill
• Entertainment/hospitality, donations, dues, and membership fees

Eligible geographic areas

• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba

• Alignment with BEP Ecosystem Fund objectives
• Measurable economic benefits/impact for the Prairie provinces
• Project viability
• Relative strengths: market potential, management capability, financial capacity, economic benefits, and alignment with governmental priorities
• Compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory/permit requirements

• Step 1: Prepare
  • Review program materials and the Expression of Interest (EOI) help guide
  • Assign a project lead as the primary contact
  • Gather required application documentation
• Step 2: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Log in to the PrairiesCan portal
  • Complete the online EOI form using the EOI help guide
  • Attach required documents (supporting documents, financial statements, and confirmed funding proof)
  • Submit the EOI through the portal
• Step 3: Submit Full Application (if invited)
  • If selected, submit a detailed full application through the online portal as instructed by PrairiesCan
  • Provide any additional information requested during detailed assessment (as applicable)
• Step 4: Sign Agreement (if approved)
  • Enter into a contribution agreement with PrairiesCan
  • Sign within 30 days of being notified (after all funding sources are confirmed)

• Within 30 days of EOI submission, EOIs with strongest merit/alignment may be invited to submit a full application
• Funding decisions are usually made within 90 business days of receiving a complete application with satisfactory supporting documentation
• PrairiesCan may contact applicants to clarify details or request additional information for assessment
• If approved, applicants are invited to enter into a contribution agreement (to be signed within 30 days of notification)
• Funding is delivered through reimbursements based on claims; recipients must report on activities, milestones, and outcomes as required by the agreement

• Intake is closed; EOIs submitted before closing may still be evaluated subject to available funding.
• Projects must provide incremental value (e.g., expand/improve existing service offerings).
• Recipients are normally not funded for more than one project.
• Consult an accountant and/or the Canada Revenue Agency regarding implications of receiving program funding.