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

• Incorporation documents and proof of signing authority (e.g., bylaws, articles, board minutes/record of decision)
• Business plan (organization details and proposed project)
• Financial statements (past 2 years) and interim statements (at least last 6 months)
• Letters of support/partner letters (signed, if applicable)
• Confirmation of non-PrairiesCan project funding (e.g., bank statements, letters of intent, funding agreements)

• Be a Black-led, not-for-profit organization located in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba
• Be incorporated federally or provincially, with a mandate focused on supporting members of Black communities in Canada
• Be able to deliver business support/advisory services and reach the Black entrepreneurship community
• Be able to enter into legally binding agreements
• Submit an eligible project that addresses a need in the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Prairie provinces and aligns with an eligible program activity

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

• 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.