Indigenous Tourism BC in partnership with Indigenous Services Canada and the Aboriginal Financial Institutions in BC are once again delivering a Tourism and Hospitality Fund through the Indigenous Community Business Fund.
The fund supports the operation of the businesses as well as costs to support the adaptation, planning and reopening of businesses.
The fund seeks to provide support for businesses that do not qualify for other Government of Canada COVID-19 relief measures.
It is intended to relieve financial pressure and allow these businesses and microbusinesses to strengthen operations and support their viability during the pandemic, with the goal of positioning them for recovery.
This fund will provide non-repayable grant contributions to First Nation owned businesses and microbusinesses in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Who can Apply
Your community or collectives are eligible if the business:
is First Nations, community-or collectively-owned business
is located in the provinces of BC
has been in operation since October 1, 2019
has either incurred a negative financial impact due to COVID-19 or that financial support will prevent layoffs, bankruptcy or permanent closure
has been solvent, financially viable, and not declared bankrupt prior to the economic disruptions associated with COVID-19
currently operates as a for profit entity and expects to continue to operate with a reduction in revenues from the previous year over the coming months as a result of COVID-19 in line with the terms of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
has previously applied for federal business support and been declined, in whole or in part, or does not qualify under business support eligibility criteria:
this may include applications to more than 1 federal program depending on the requested support
First Nations, may apply for funding for 1 or more community-owned businesses.
At least two years of year-end financial statements that demonstrate the decrease in revenue
A copy of your business continuity or recovery plan
Letters patent or incorporation documents, if incorporated
If application includes adaptation costs, quotations for these costs
Submit your application package online or by email to the Indigenous Tourism BC office at [email protected].
You will receive an acknowledgement notification within 2 business days of submitting an
application.
Other documents could be requested from the applicant if needed. If you have been in operation for less than 1 year, please provide interim financial statements.
Deadline
There are no submission deadlines. Applications for funding are accepted on an ongoing basis until all funding has been allocated.
Eligible Costs and Activities
Non-repayable contributions where business revenues have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be considered for these reasonable operating costs:
capital lease payments for existing equipment and machinery
salaries and benefits, at the same rate as the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and only if ineligible for it
utilities
bank charges and interest payments
professional fees
monthly insurance payments
rent or mortgage, only if ineligible for Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance
supply and delivery costs
operating costs or capital expenditures related to adapting the business and services
payments for regularly scheduled debt service of an existing debt that is not related to other federal COVID-19 financial support
other reasonable applicable operating costs
Non-repayable contributions will also be considered for COVID-19-related costs associated with the adaptation, planning and reopening of a business such as:
costs required to comply with provincial health regulations
retraining
marketing
technology
professional services
planned maintenance and repairs the business is unable to complete due to cash flow
other reasonable operating costs
Costs not eligible for non-repayable contributions include:
any costs deemed not reasonable, expenses not associated with the operation, adaptation, planning and reopening of a business
refinancing or repayment of an existing loan or debt resulting from other federal COVID-19 financial support
costs of amortization and goodwill
acquisition of buildings
costs for services provided by a federal or provincial government
loss of revenue
Assessment Process
Indigenous Tourism BC is working with the following Aboriginal Financial Institutions for the delivery of this fund:
Applications will be triaged for review by one of the Aboriginal Financial Institutions in the order they are received. They will be screened by one of the Aboriginal Financial Institutions for eligibility, using the criteria above, before proceeding to an assessment to determine the amount of eligible funding.
Decisions will be shared with applicants as they become available. Applicants who are unable to clearly demonstrate that they meet all recipient and cost eligibility requirements will be declined.
At any time during the intake and assessment process, Indigenous Tourism BC or Aboriginal Financial Institution may contact the applicant for additional information, including missing or incomplete documentation. Delays in responding to requests for additional information within 5 business days may result in a delayed or declined decision.
Confidentiality
All proprietary data, commercially sensitive information and potentially valuable results or ideas will be protected from unauthorized, inadvertent or untimely disclosure. Beyond the parties already mentioned above, confidential commercial information will not be shared without the applicant’s consent.
Reporting Requirements
Recipients will be required to submit periodic project reports and annual financial statements. Project reports will provide details on results and completion of deliverables.
Contact Us
Please contact the Indigenous Tourism BC office if you have any questions about the application.
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