Aboriginal Economic Development Fund

https://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/funding-aboriginal-economic-development

The Aboriginal Economic Development Fund (AEDF) provides grants and financing to Aboriginal businesses, communities and organizations. The fund helps promote economic development and improve socio-economic outcomes for Aboriginal people.

The fund supports projects that:

• diversify Aboriginal economies
• increase access to employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people
• provide start-up and expansion financing for small- and medium-sized Aboriginal businesses
• support collaboration between Aboriginal communities and the private sector on regional and province-wide economic development initiatives, particularly financing and skills training projects.

Funding

The AEDF has 3 funding streams:

• The Business and Community Fund
• Economic Diversification Grants
• Regional Partnership Grants

How to apply

To apply for funding:

1. Visit Grants Ontario and review requirements in the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund Handbook
2. review requirements in the application guides for the 3 possible funding streams:
   • Business & Community Fund
   • Economic Diversification Grant
   • Regional Partnership Grant
3. determine which of the 3 possible funding streams you project is eligible for
4. register with Grants Ontario
5. complete your grant application for the specific stream with Grants Ontario

Selection process

Successful projects need to:

• contribute to the objectives of the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund and relevant funding stream
• demonstrate high potential to provide economic benefits such as employment, business and/or training opportunities for Aboriginal people
• demonstrate a clear need for additional resources to successfully deliver the project
• prove they are feasible with the help of requested funding (includes funding from other sources)
• demonstrate the project management structure and experience necessary to complete the project

You will get a decision within 4 to 6 weeks of submitting an application.

Application packages

The Aboriginal Economic Development Fund Handbook includes information on the fund, including project requirements, the selection process and project management requirements.

Aboriginal Economic Development Fund Handbook

Information on eligibility and other requirements is also found in the application guides for each stream.

The handbook and application guides for each stream can be found on Grants Ontario:

• Business & Community Fund
• Economic Diversification Grant
• Regional Partnership Grant

Use these documents to develop project proposals and prepare your Grants Ontario application.

The Business and Community Fund

This fund improves business financing and support services for Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs). Funding allows AFIs to provide non-repayable grants and repayable loans to Aboriginal entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations.

AFIs may also use funding to provide grants to help communities build economic capacity.

Who is eligible

AFIs in Ontario that are recognized by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) are eligible.

Selected AFIs then provide funding to:

• start-up and early stage businesses
• expanding businesses with the potential to provide benefits like jobs and training opportunities to Aboriginal people
• Aboriginal communities
• Aboriginal organizations recognized by the province

Funding amounts

Funding is available for a period of 3 years. Only proposals for this entire period will be considered.

Each AFI can receive up to:

• $500,000 in funding in 2014-2015
• $1 million in funding per year for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017

Joint proposals involving 2 or more AFIs may request up to:

• $1 million in funding for 2014-2015
• $2 million in funding per year for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017

Application deadline

Submit applications for the Business & Community Fund by November 14, 2014.

Once AFIs have been selected, they will begin accepting applications in early 2015.

Economic Diversification Grants

Economic Diversification Grants help communities broaden their economic base..

These grants provide project funding for initiatives that contribute to economic diversification as well as employment, training and business opportunities.

Who is eligible

Your organization may be eligible for an Economic Diversification Grant if it is a:

• Provincial Territorial Organization
• Tribal Council
• First Nation community
• Métis community
• Aboriginal organizations recognized by the Province of Ontario

Sample projects

Projects funded by Economic Diversification Grants may include:

• community or regional economic development strategies
• community or regional employment and skills training strategies
• investment or marketing strategies to attract external investment
• feasibility studies
• leakage studies
• apprenticeship, internship or co-op placements

Funding amounts

Your organization could receive up to $100,000 per project, per year.

Up to $250,000 per year is available for joint projects between communities.

Application deadline

The 2014-2015 deadline to submit an Economic Diversification Grant application is November 14, 2014.

Regional Partnership Grants

Regional Partnership Grants support economic development through investments in regional projects that span multiple communities and province-wide projects. These projects improve skills training opportunities and provide financing for promising projects.

These grants support projects that provide jobs, training and/or business opportunities to Aboriginal people.

Regional Partnership Grants can also help smaller projects with potential expand to multiple communities or go province wide.

Who is eligible

Your organization may be eligible a Regional Partnership Grant if it is a:

• Political Territorial Organization
• Tribal Council
• Aboriginal Financial Institutions
• Aboriginal business organizations recognized by the Province of Ontario\Aboriginal organizations recognized by the Province of Ontario
• Non-Aboriginal organization (including not-for-profit organizations) in partnership with another eligible organization

Only AFIs who do not receive funding through the Business and Community Fund may apply for a Regional Partnership Grant.

Sample projects

Projects funded by Regional Partnership Grants may include:

• skills training initiatives (e.g., sector-specific or on-reserve business mentorship, internships, or apprenticeship initiatives that result in provincially recognized qualifications)
• regional or sector-specific business incubators or accelerator programs.
• financing in the natural resource sector for high-potential development projects, like the Ring of Fire

Funding amounts

Grants support up to 50% of eligible project operating costs. You can receive a maximum of $250,000 per year, per project.

Application deadline

Deadlines for proposals for Regional Partnership Grants will be in February, May, August and November of each year.

The next deadline for applications is Friday, February 27, 2015.

Questions

For questions about the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund, contact the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs:

• Email
• Phone: 416-326-4740
• Toll Free: 1-866-381-5337

For technical questions regarding Grants Ontario, contact the Grants Ontario Customer Service Line:

• Email
• Phone: 416-325-6691
• Toll Free: 1-855-216-3090

• Business and economy