Waterloo Region & Guelph

MixedOntario program

Indigenous Economic Development Fund

Ontario's Indigenous Economic Development Fund offers grants and financing to Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations. It has three streams. The two streams open now are mainly for communities and organizations doing economic planning and partnership projects.

Amount
Not stated on the main page. The Economic Diversification Grant guide says up to $100,000 per fiscal year per applicant.
Status
Open, closes Jan 19, 202766 days leftThe Economic Diversification Grant and Regional Partnership Grant are open November 12, 2026 to January 19, 2027 at 5 PM. The Business and Community Fund has no dates listed.
Type
Grants and financing
Run by
Government of Ontario (Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation)
Where
All of Ontario
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations (the fund as a whole)
  • Economic Diversification Grant: First Nation and Métis communities, tribal councils, political territorial organizations, and regional or provincial Indigenous organizations or service providers
  • If a business is the main applicant, it must be at least 50.1% Indigenous-owned (Economic Diversification Grant guide)

Not for

  • Economic Diversification Grant: general economic development staffing not tied to a project
  • Economic Diversification Grant: buildings and other large capital costs, vehicles, debt reduction, and costs covered by other funding

What it covers

  • Diversifying Indigenous economies and creating jobs
  • Start-up and expansion financing for small and medium-sized businesses
  • Economic development planning, feasibility studies and workforce planning (Economic Diversification Grant)
  • Partnerships between Indigenous communities and the private sector

How to apply

  1. Read the application guide for the stream you're interested in.
  2. Create an Ontario.ca login and register your organization on Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON). Access can take up to 5 business days.
  3. Submit the application and required documents on TPON before the deadline.
  4. For questions about the streams, email IndigenousEconomicDevelopmentFund@ontario.ca.

Good to know

  • The official page says there are 3 streams but only lists dates for 2. The Business and Community Fund, which covers business start-up and expansion financing, has no status or dates.
  • No amounts are listed on the main page.
  • The Economic Diversification Grant guide lists communities and organizations as applicants, but also has a rule for business applicants, so it's unclear whether a single business can apply on its own.
  • Only one Economic Diversification Grant per applicant per fiscal year.

Questions

Can I apply as an Indigenous-owned small business?

The fund says it supports Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses. The two streams open now list communities and organizations as applicants, so ask the program by email before you apply.

When is the deadline?

The Economic Diversification Grant and Regional Partnership Grant close January 19, 2027 at 5 PM. The page gives no dates for the Business and Community Fund.

Related programs

Open, closes Jan 21, 2027Loan

Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)

Up to 15% of eligible project costs. Loans up to $5 million, interest-free during the project period (up to 4 years), with up to 30% (max $500,000) forgivable if targets are met. Grants only in limited cases: up to $500,000 for small rural firms, or $1.5 million for strategic projects.

Government of Ontario (Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade)All of Ontario

Open nowMixed

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) for Businesses

Liquidity help up to $2 million for up to 12 months (non-repayable, up to 50% of costs). Pivot projects up to $1 million non-repayable (up to 50%), or over $1 million repayable (up to 75%). Up to $3 million non-repayable and $20 million in total.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)All of Ontario