Aboriginal Business Grants and Funding Programs
You’re in luck if you are looking for aboriginal business grants, which include Metis business grants as well as First Nations business grants.
There is a large variety of programs available for Indigenous organizations and entrepreneurs to receive funding, from Indigenous youth or women to collaborative programs. You can gather as much funding as you can because many of these programs are stackable.
Within all of these funding programs, there is a multitude of allowable expenses, from operating costs to capital expenditures to micro loans for craft supplies, so there is going to be a program for you.
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2026 Small Business Indigenous Funding Incentives
Indigenous entrepreneurs in many different sectors and industries can apply for the large number of financing programs that are available from the Canadian government. Even better, they allow you to also use territorial or provincial funding at the same time, and their funding programs are usually non-repayable.
Before you start looking for funding programs that your province or territory has available, start your search here, at the federal level to find the most funding for your business or project.
New Business Incentives for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in 2026
Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada - Relief Measures for Indigenous Businesses
As a part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the government is providing interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions for Inuit, First Nations, and Metis businesses.
Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada - Indigenous Community Business Fund
This program provides non-repayable financial contributions to support Inuit, First Nations, and Metis community or collectively-owned businesses and micro businesses that have had their revenue affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the fund is to support the operation of these businesses and the costs to support the planning, adaptation, and reopening of the businesses.
Waubetek Business Development Corporation - Business Loans
Entrepreneurs in Northeastern Ontario can receive a variety of business loans from Waubetek to help establish, expand, or purchase a business. These funds can come in the form of a term loan or bridge loan.
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) - NADF COVID-19 Emergency Loan Fund (ELF)
Aboriginal businesses within the NADF’s catchment area can receive an emergency loan fund for support after the impact of COVID-19. The funding can be used towards eligible operating costs in the business.
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) - Indigenous Business Stabilization Program (IBSP)
The IBSP has been designed as an emergency to support small business owners that are on or off-reserve, to meet their immediate cash flow needs.
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) - Business Recovery Fund
NADF provides eligible applicants, through the Business Recovery Fund, to increase productions capacity, meet their business’s general expenses, develop new products, make new improvements to accommodate social distancing requirements or move to online marketing.
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) - Post COVID-19 Professional Services Relief Grant Program
This grant program provides Aboriginal businesses that are located within one of the 33 First Nations communities that are serviced under NADF’s Communities Futures funding agreement with funding for eligible services.
Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) - General Loans
The TRCDC provides funding to First Nations entrepreneurs in their service area. The loans are given to help with starting, expanding, or buying a business as well as buying equipment, working capital, inventory, and day-to-day expenses.
Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) - Express Financing
Businesses located within the TRCDC service area can receive a loan to help with expanding, starting, or buying a business and buying equipment, day-to-day expenses, and working capital. Their aim is to make the loan process faster for applicants and ensure a quick turnaround.
Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC) - Start-up Financing
The goal of this program is to provide start-up funding as an encouragement to Aboriginal entrepreneurs that want to contribute to a sustainable and vibrant economy. The funds can be used to finance purchase orders, buy equipment and inventory, and cover operating expenses.
Rainy Lake Tribal Area Business & Financial Services Corporation - Aboriginal Business Development Fund (ABDF) - Micro Loan
This micro loan program is only available to members of the Rainy Lake Tribal Area. Entrepreneurs that show documented proof of Aboriginal ancestry can apply to receive funding assistance.
Toronto Arts Council (TAC) - Indigenous Arts Projects
Specifically for Indigenous collectives, artists, and organizations, the Indigenous Arts Projects program is a yearly multi-disciplinary project grant. It was designed to increase the participation in, and access to, funding for Indigenous artists in Toronto, while also increasing the presentation and creation of Indigenous arts in the city.
Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) - Business Financing
First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs in the Central and Eastern Ontario areas can receive financing support from IAPO for start-up and expansion, equipment, and commercial real estate financing.
Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) - First Nations Farm and Business Financing
First Nations agriculture sector can receive financing support. The program has loans available for farms and agricultural-related businesses as well as enterprises that add value.
Ontario Arts Council (OAC) - Indigenous Visual Artists’ Materials
This program from OAC supports First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists in Ontario working within the visual arts, crafts, or traditional Indigenous art forms.
AgriDiversity Program - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
This program provides non-repayable contributions to under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including Indigenous people.
Bottom Line
There is really no reason why this year can’t be your year to go for your dreams especially with all the funding programs that are available for aspiring Indigenous business owners, entrepreneurs, community development fund centres, non-profits, and communities at the provincial, federal, and private levels.
The first step is always the hardest part of your journey to achieve your goals. However, every other successful step will follow once you have taken it. So, take that first step and take advantage of these programs. Put your business plan together and a project summary, and apply for as many funding programs as possible.