Indigenous Business Financing Program (IBFP)

Overview of the Indigenous Business Financing Program (IBFP) program:

The Indigenous Business Financing Program (IBFP), delivered by Two Rivers Community Development Centre, is a financial assistance program designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nation-owned businesses located in southern Ontario. It offers non-repayable contributions (grants) to support business start-up, expansion, and growth activities that lead to long-term sustainability and job creation. Funded through FedDev Ontario, the IBFP is part of the broader Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF). The program supports both new and existing businesses, prioritizing projects that demonstrate commercial viability and economic impact. Eligible funding activities include purchasing equipment, marketing, business planning, and other critical start-up or expansion costs. The program encourages applications from both status and non-status Indigenous individuals, and community-owned enterprises that are majority Indigenous-owned and controlled. Applications are assessed based on the project’s business plan, financial projections, market opportunity, management capacity, and alignment with community development goals. The program’s intent is not only to reduce financial barriers but to enhance Indigenous participation in the economy by providing direct access to capital for entrepreneurial development. Funding is limited and competitive, so applicants are encouraged to apply early and present well-developed business plans with clear evidence of sustainability and impact.

Benefits of the Indigenous Business Financing Program (IBFP) program:

• Non-repayable contributions up to $99,999 for eligible businesses
• Support for both start-up and expansion projects
• Access to capital for equipment, marketing, working capital, and business planning
• Encourages Indigenous economic development and entrepreneurship
• Delivered by an Indigenous-led organization with deep community ties
• Available to both individuals and community-owned businesses
• Increases access to sustainable business development resources

Eligibility criteria of the Indigenous Business Financing Program (IBFP) program:

• To be eligible:
• Applicant must be Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, or Inuit)
• Includes both status and non-status Indigenous individuals
• Business must be located in southern Ontario
• Business must be majority Indigenous-owned and controlled (51%+)
• Both new and existing businesses are eligible
• Community-owned businesses or economic development corporations can apply
• Must demonstrate commercial viability through a detailed business plan and financial projections
• Applicants must show management capacity and commitment to business sustainability
• Preference given to projects that support job creation and long-term impact