Kakivak Association: Sivummut Grants to Small Businesses
Get up to $25,000 in non-repayable grant funding to launch or expand your Inuit-owned business in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut. You must book an appointment with a Business Development Officer to apply.
“Sivummut Grants are available to eligible Inuit owned businesses to support the establishment or expansion of their business.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
The official page does not say whether you need approval before you spend, or whether the grant is paid to you only after you spend. Ask your Business Development Officer before you buy anything.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are an Inuit-owned business operating or planning to operate in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut.
- You are in the pre-start-up, start-up, or expansion phase and need capital for establishment or growth.
- You want non-repayable funding that can be combined with a Makigiaqvik Loan for larger needs.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are not Inuit-owned or do not operate in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut.
- You expect an online instant application; this program requires a personal appointment with a Business Development Officer.
- You need money for something other than pre-start-up, start-up, expansion, or training to run your business. The official page does not list excluded costs, so ask Kakivak what qualifies.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $5,000 for pre-start-up, up to $10,000 for start-up, or up to $10,000 for expansion, with a lifetime maximum of $25,000 per business.
What may be supported
- Business pre-start-up costs
- Business start-up costs
- Business expansion costs
- Training to help run the business
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must schedule an appointment and work with a Business Development Officer to prepare your application, rather than submitting a simple online form.
- 01Contact Kakivak Association by email at BusinessSupport@Kakivak.ca or call the toll-free number to schedule an appointment.
- 02Meet with a Business Development Officer to discuss your business stage (pre-start-up, start-up, or expansion) and eligibility.
- 03Prepare your business plan and financial projections as requested by the officer.
- 04Submit the application form, which is available on the Kakivak website, along with any required supporting documents.
- 05Wait for the discretionary review and decision from the Business Development Officer.
Who to ask: Email: BusinessSupport@Kakivak.ca. Kakivak also has a toll-free phone line, but the official page does not list the number.
Documents commonly required
- Proof of Inuit ownership
- Business plan or expansion proposal
- Financial projections or budget
- Application form from the Kakivak website
What to know before you count on it
- This is a grant, so it is likely taxable income; ask your accountant how this affects your tax return.
- The selection process is discretionary and involves working directly with a Business Development Officer, so it is not an automatic entitlement.
- The $25,000 lifetime cap applies to the business, not per project, so you cannot stack multiple grants beyond this total.
- The official page does not say whether the grant is paid upfront or after the work is done. Ask your Business Development Officer.
What are your odds?
Funding is selective and depends on the strength of your business plan and alignment with Kakivak's goals for Inuit-owned businesses in the region.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay this money back?
No, it is a non-repayable grant. However, it is likely taxable income, so consult your accountant.
Can I apply online?
No, you must make an appointment with a Kakivak Business Development Officer by email or phone to begin the process.
What is the maximum amount I can receive?
The maximum is $25,000 in total grants per business, split across pre-start-up, start-up, and expansion stages.
Can I combine this with a loan?
Yes, Kakivak Business Development Officers can help you combine this grant with a Makigiaqvik Loan.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
You can combine this grant with a Makigiaqvik Loan, but you cannot exceed the $25,000 total grant cap per business.
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.