Métis-Dene Development Fund
Métis and Dene business owners in the Northwest Territories can apply for loans or equity contributions. Confirm the exact amounts, and whether you must repay the funding, on the official page before you apply.
Before you spend any money
Confirm on the official page whether funds are disbursed before or after project completion.
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 a Métis or Dene business owner operating in the Northwest Territories.
- You need funding for eligible projects like buying equipment, expanding, or covering working capital.
- You can contribute 10% equity and have no outstanding debts to the NWT government, WSIB, or CRA.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are not Métis or Dene or do not operate in the Northwest Territories.
- You have outstanding debts to the Government of the NWT, Workers Safety and Compensation Commission, or Canada Revenue Agency.
- You have declared bankruptcy or had assets repossessed without a clear explanation or discharge status.
How much you'd realistically get
Variable; confirm specific loan limits and equity contribution caps on the official page.
What may be supported
- Business Planning and Marketing
- Startup Costs and Working Capital
- Land, Building, and Equipment purchases
- Buying an existing business
- Home-based business setup and Maintenance
- Expansion projects
What's excluded or restricted
- Personal, family, or household purposes
How applying works
Effort: involvedYou must prepare a detailed business plan, 3 years of financial statements and projections, resumes of key management, and three quotations for your project.
- 01Complete the Confidential Application form including Applicant Information, Purpose, Ethnicity, Financing Use, Project Benefits, and Previous Assistance.
- 02Complete the Personal Statement of Financial Affairs for each Owner, Shareholder, or Partner.
- 03Gather all supporting documents including licenses, business plan, financial statements, projections, resumes, three quotations, proof of 10% equity, CRA notices, and status cards.
- 04Submit the complete application package to the NWT Métis Dene Development Fund Ltd (MDDF).
Who to ask: 867-873-9341, admin@mddf.ca, www.mddf.ca, Box 1405, 4908 50th Street, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P1
Documents commonly required
- Confidential Application form and Personal Statement of Financial Affairs
- Business Plan and Financial Statements/Projections (3 years)
- Three Quotations/Estimates for the project
- Proof of 10% Equity and CRA Notice of Assessment (last 2 years)
- Status Card and Drivers License
What to know before you count on it
- You must prove 10% equity contribution for the project.
- You must have no outstanding liabilities to the Government of the NWT, WSIB, or CRA.
- The application requires extensive documentation including 3 years of financial projections and three quotations.
- Confirm on the official page whether the funding is a repayable loan or non-repayable equity and if it is taxable.
What are your odds?
Approval depends on strict eligibility regarding ethnicity, location, and financial standing; confirm current intake status on the official page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the funding a grant or a loan?
The program offers both loans and equity contributions. Confirm on the official page which specific stream applies to you and the repayment terms.
What documents do I need to prove my ethnicity?
You must complete the Ethnicity field in the Confidential Application form and provide a Status Card.
Can I use this for personal expenses?
No. Personal, family, or household purposes are explicitly excluded.
What if I have had assets repossessed?
You may still qualify if you can provide a clear explanation of the circumstances.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
The program includes related streams like EBD Contribution, IWE Program, and IYE Program; confirm on the official page if these can be combined.
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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.