Aboriginal Business Investment Fund
The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF) can partially or fully fund capital costs for Indigenous community-owned economic development projects that are shovel-ready within the funding year, meaning they are prepared to begin construction or operations with the necessary planning, approvals and financing in place.
From building new facilities and infrastructure to purchasing essential equipment, ABIF helps communities establish, expand and strengthen business operations.
Offered by Ministry of Indigenous Relations
Amount
Up to $750,000
Grants of a minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of $750,000, covering up to 100% of eligible costs, to support capital costs related to Indigenous community-owned economic development projects
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
The Aboriginal Business Investment Fund is open to Indigenous communities in Alberta and Indigenous community-owned corporate entities.
To be eligible:
- Indigenous communities must own and control 51% or more of the proposed business or joint venture
- corporate entities must be in good standing
- applicants must be in compliance with the terms and conditions of any previous Indigenous Relations funding
Each Indigenous community should support only one major application per funding year.
Indigenous Relations bases funding decisions on the results of a rigorous evaluation process. Strong applications demonstrate:
- community support, including a formal resolution (a Band Council Resolution, Board Motion)
- economic benefits, such as job creation and increased community revenue
- management capacity, including relevant experience and expertise
- a balanced financing approach, including own-source equity, commercial financing and other funding sources
- long-term viability of the business opportunity
About the funding
Aboriginal Business Investment Fund grants are a minimum of $150,000 to a maximum of $750,000 to support capital costs related to Indigenous community-owned economic development projects.
Grants can cover up to 100% of eligible costs, which can include equipment purchases and the construction or improvement of buildings and other infrastructure. The amount of funding requested must be supported by the project activities detailed in the application. An ABIF grant can be combined with other government and industry funding sources.
Funding consideration will be determined by:
- availability of funding and program budget
Show all funding details
- alignment to program priorities
- ability of partners to make necessary financial contributions to the project through other means, such as grant funding from other programs
Some projects may not receive full funding as funding is dependent on the program budget and the number of applications received. It is suggested that applicants request the minimum amount required to run the project successfully.
The intent of the ABIF program is to invest in the capital elements of business initiatives. Please see the ABIF Application Guidelines for a list of eligible and ineligible costs.
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|---|---|---|---|
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
| Economic Development Initiative (EDI) in the Prairie provinces | Grant | PrairiesCan is investing $3.2 million through the EDI over 5 years for projects (total programme envelope | Open |
| Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital | Grant | Individual Indigenous entrepreneurs may receive up to $99,999 in funding assistance and eligible Indigenous community businesses may receive up to $250,000 (non-repayable equity contribution | Open |
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