Presented in collaboration with
For information on the Indigenous Business Grant Program, contact:
Philip Ducharme
Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
416.961.8663 Ext. 230
pducharme@ccab.com
CCAB is thrilled to launch the Indigenous Business Support Fund in collaboration with Facebook Canada. Our research shows that two thirds of Indigenous businesses do not use a traditional financial institution, increasing the burden to access capital. However we wanted to be sure that the fund provided more than financial support.
This year, we have seen businesses rapidly pivot to keep up with our increasingly digital economy. That’s why, along with cash grants, we are also offering training to help business owners learn how they can build their brand online and covering membership fees to ensure the program can support these businesses throughout 2021
Grant Overview
Successful applicants will receive:
The application process will close on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 4:00pm EST.
Funding Criteria
The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by an Indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit) person or persons.
The for-profit business must be registered in Ontario.
For individuals with more than one business, applications will only be accepted for one business.
Supporting Documents Required
In order to proceed with your application, we advise you to review the documentation that will be required to be uploaded to successfully complete the application. In fields where documents are required, you will not be able to proceed without uploading the relevant documents.
If you are currently an existing Certified Aboriginal Business (CAB) in good standing, in sections where documents need to be uploaded instead of the supporting documents please upload a copy of your CAB certificate.
To help you apply for the fund, below is a check list of all the documents and information you will need to complete the application. Please do not start an application unless you have all the information noted below readily available:
- Name of the Indigenous owner who has 51% or more ownership (proof of Indigenous ancestry required)
- Legal name of business and date established (only business that were in operation prior to March 2020 are eligible to apply)
- Legal structure of the business (proof of ownership documents will be required)
- Number of employees (includes full and part-time employees)
- Business description
Proof of Acceptable documents include the following:
- Indian status card
- Metis National Council Governing Membership
- Inuit Beneficiary card
Or, valid identification provided by the following:
- Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) affiliate membership
- Northwest Territories Land Claim Settlement Beneficiaries
- Alberta Métis Settlement Members
- Northwest Territory Métis Nation Membership
- Membership in a historic Métis community recognized as independent and rights-bearing by a provincial or Canadian federal government
Proof of ownership and control documents demonstrating a minimum 51% Aboriginal ownership; acceptable documents pertaining to your business structure include:
Sole Proprietorship
- Master Business License or provincial/territorial equivalent
Corporation
- Articles of Incorporation
- Shareholders Agreement
- Shareholders Registry
- Corporate Tax Return – Schedule 50 if available
Partnership
- Partnership Agreement
Impacts of Covid-19 to Indigenous businesses in Canada.
61% of women-owned businesses report a “very negative” impact compared to 53% of men-owned businesses.
38% of Inuit-owned businesses experienced a revenue drop of 50% or more, compared to 27% of Métis and 31% of First Nations-owned businesses.
