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The Government of Canada through Indigenous Services Canada has enabled the Covid-19 relief funding curated for First Nations and First Nation businesses. In the following paragraphs, we are providing an overview of the eligibility criteria, application process, funding levels, and additional program details.
There are three types of programs broadly available to all communities:
1. Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)
2. Own Source Revenue in Indigenous Communities Initiative (OSRICI)
3. Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF)
Each program offers a different type of funding, from non-repayable funding to a one-time special economic response to support First Nations. Here are the details for each of them.
Indigenous Community Business Fund (ICBF)
The ICBF program is providing non-repayable funding to help support First Nations, Inuit, and Metis community or community-owned businesses and micro businesses whose revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding can be utilized to support operational losses, debt servicing, and adaptation costs.
Stream 1: Per Capita funding program. ($27,000 minimum provided)
Stream 2: Application-based funding program
Total Funding Pool: $117 M
Eligibility Criteria: check presentation for details under each stream.
Deadline to apply: No submission deadline
Contact Information: To review contact by province, visit here.
Own Source Revenue in Indigenous Communities Initiative (OSRICI)
The OSRICI is a funding initiative providing a one-time special economic response to support First Nations that have experienced a decline in their ability to provide core community programs and important services due to a loss in own-sourced revenue (OSR) because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total Funding Pool: $332.8 M
Eligibility Criteria: check presentation for details.
Deadline to apply: No submission deadline
Contact Information: aadnc.bcecdev.aandc@canada.ca or to review contact by province, visit here.
Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF)
The ICSF program provides funding to help support First Nations, Inuit, and Metis organizations to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. In June 2021, $26.3 million was provided in direct allocations to First Nations (including Block, New Fiscal Relationship (NFR) Grant, and Self-Governing Nations). An additional $26.3 million in direct allocation will be provided in September 2021. First Nations are eligible to apply for additional funding if your community’s needs exceed the ICSF direct allocation provided (on and off-reserve).
Total Funding Pool: $117 M
Eligibility Criteria: check presentation for details under each stream.
Deadline to apply: No submission deadline
Contact Information: To review contacts by province, visit here.