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NADF Indigenous Women in Business Program

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This program supports Indigenous women-led businesses in Northern Ontario with a total project cost of up to $25,000: 5% comes from you, 45% is a non-repayable grant, and 50% is a repayable loan at 5% interest over up to 5 years. It also includes business training.

Know a business owner this could help?
“The IWE Program provides funding, tools, business support, and training to help Indigenous women entrepreneurs take the next step in their business journey.”

From the official program page

At a glance

Maximum supportMaximum total project cost supported: $25,000 (structured as 5% client contribution, 45% grant, 50% repayable loan)
Issued byNishnawbe Aski Development Fund
Administered byNishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF), in partnership with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA)
RegionOntario

Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.

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Is this for you?

  • You are an Indigenous woman entrepreneur operating within NADF's service area in Northern Ontario.
  • You need smaller financing for a start-up or expansion and may lack access to traditional bank loans.
  • You want practical business training and tools alongside your funding to help your business succeed.

Probably not the right fit if

  • You are not an Indigenous woman or your business is not Indigenous-owned.
  • You are located outside of Northern Ontario or NADF's specific service area.
  • You want only grant money with no repayment, since half of the project cost is a loan you must repay.

How much you'd realistically get

Up to $25,000 in total project cost, typically 5% your contribution, 45% a non-repayable grant, and 50% a repayable loan (5% interest, up to 5-year term), aimed at start-ups and expansions.

What may be supported

  • Start-up costs for new Indigenous women-led businesses
  • Expansion costs for existing Indigenous women-led businesses
  • Purchase of business tools and equipment
  • Training and support costs associated with the program

How applying works

Effort: moderateYou must complete NADF's financing application process and intake for the women's program.

  1. 01Visit the NADF women in business program page at http://www.nadf.org/women-in-business.
  2. 02Review the financing application requirements at https://www.nadf.org/financing-application.
  3. 03Prepare your business plan and financial documents for the intake process.
  4. 04Submit your application through NADF's financing process.
  5. 05Confirm specific loan terms and grant availability directly with NADF.

Who to ask: Contact NADF through its website, nadf.org.

Documents commonly required

  • Business plan or expansion proposal
  • Financial statements or projections
  • Proof of Indigenous ownership and women-led status
  • Proof of location within NADF service area

What to know before you count on it

  • Half of the project cost is a repayable loan, not a grant.
  • The loan portion carries 5% interest and may be repaid over a term of up to 5 years.
  • About 45% of the package is a non-repayable grant, and you put in 5% yourself.
  • Funding is limited, and NADF encourages early applications.

What are your odds?

Approval depends on NADF's financing application process. Your business must be Indigenous women-led and in NADF's service area in Northern Ontario.

Frequently asked questions

Is this money a grant or a loan?

It is a mix. On a total project cost of up to $25,000, about 45% comes as a non-repayable grant and 50% as a repayable loan, with 5% from you.

What is the maximum loan amount?

The program supports a total project cost of up to $25,000. About half of that (roughly $12,500) is the repayable loan portion; the rest is a 45% non-repayable grant and your 5% contribution. Confirm exact figures on the official NADF page.

What are the interest rates?

The loan portion carries 5% interest. You can repay it over a term of up to 5 years.

More funding by what it pays for

Funding for Training

Grants to help you train staff and adopt new digital tools.

What you can combine it with

Can be combined with NADF's general financing or the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship (IWE) program training.

Worth reading before you apply

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Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.