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Where: Ontario · Who: anyone · Need: Youth, age 18 to 39
The federal Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program gives up to $99,999 that you do not pay back, for one person’s business (up to $250,000 for a community-owned business). It comes with a loan from your IFI. You apply to your local IFI (or Métis Capital Corporation), not to Ottawa. No deadline.
Lenders in Ontario. Ask the one near you if you are in their area:
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: First Nations Agriculture & Financing of Ontario (IFI)
Who can get it: First Nations. Youth; South Central/Eastern ON (farm/food anywhere in ON)
What it gives: Micro-loan + grant
Amount: Loan up to $13,800 (6%) + grant up to $6,200
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NADF (IFI)
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Youth 18–39 in NADF area (Northern Ontario)
What it gives: 45% grant + 50% loan
Amount: Up to $25,000 project
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Waubetek Business Development Corporation
Who can get it: First Nations communities and First Nation-owned businesses; Aboriginal students/youth. Capacity-building projects; summer businesses
What it gives: Grant; loan
Amount: Community Economic Grants up to $10,000; student summer business loans max $1,500
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open Lesser-known
Who runs it: Futurpreneur Canada with RBC Origins and BDC
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit (self-identify), on or off reserve. Youth 18–39; pre-launch or ≤24 months operating
What it gives: Collateral-free loan + 2 yrs mentorship
Amount: Up to $75,000 ($25,000 Futurpreneur + up to $50,000 BDC); follow-on up to $40,000
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA (charitable arm)
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Entrepreneurs, youth
What it gives: Grants/awards & programs via IFIs
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open
Who runs it: NACCA / IFIs
Who can get it: First Nations (status & non-status), Métis, Inuit. Youth (NADF version: 18–39)
What it gives: Micro-loan + grant + training
Amount: Amount not stated
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
These are closed right now. Check their page for the next time they open.
Closed
Who runs it: Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project
Who can get it: Indigenous youth (Ontario). Youth-led projects
What it gives: Grant
Amount: Amount not stated
Good to know: 2026 deadline Mar 31 passed.
Official page ↗Last checked Oct 31, 2026
Open means we did not see it closed when we checked. Always check dates and rules on the official page.