Indigenous Business Plans for Grants, Loans & Partnerships

What Is an Indigenous Business Plan?

An Indigenous business plan follows the same core standards of clarity, financial logic, and market analysis as any strong business plan. However, it also needs to reflect additional realities: Indigenous ownership and control, community impact, cultural values, land and rights considerations, and the expectations of Indigenous-focused lenders, partners, and grant programs.

Our goal in an Indigenous business plan is to bring together business viability and community benefit in a clear, practical document that decision-makers can rely on. Below are the key elements we typically highlight.

1. Indigenous Ownership, Governance & Structure

Many programs require that the business be majority-owned and controlled by Indigenous persons or communities. The plan should clearly outline:

• Who owns the business and how much each owner holds
• Whether it is a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or community-owned entity
• How decisions are made (governance, advisory roles, Elders’ input where applicable)
• Any links to a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit community, council, or economic development corporation

2. Community Impact & Cultural Alignment

A strong Indigenous business plan speaks to how the business benefits the community, beyond just profit. This might include:

• Creating meaningful jobs for community members and youth
• Providing training, apprenticeships, or skills-development opportunities
• Supporting local suppliers and service providers
• Strengthening language, culture, or land-based activities where relevant

We position these impacts clearly so that funders see both the economic and social value of the project.

3. Land, Location & Rights-Based Considerations

For many Indigenous businesses, land and location are not just practical details — they are connected to rights, history, and community relationships. A well-prepared plan will address:

• Where the business will operate (on-reserve, off-reserve, urban, remote, or mixed)
• Lease or land-use arrangements, if applicable
• Any permits, environmental considerations, or jurisdictional issues relevant to the business

4. Partnerships & Joint Ventures

Many Indigenous businesses work in partnership with non-Indigenous companies, industry partners, or local governments. The plan should make these relationships transparent and fair by outlining:

• The role and responsibilities of each partner
• How profits, risks, and decision-making are shared
• How the partnership supports Indigenous ownership and capacity-building instead of replacing it

5. Market, Revenue Model & “Funding Stack”

Indigenous entrepreneurs are often combining different sources of support — loans, contributions, grants, and their own equity. The business plan should show:

• Who the customers are and why they will buy from this business
• The pricing, key products/services, and main revenue streams
• Realistic sales projections tied to the market analysis
• How different funding sources (equity, loans, and non-repayable funding) fit together

We ensure that the cash flow reflects the timing of funds, project milestones, and any conditions attached to financing.

6. Capacity, Risk Management & Sustainability

Funders want to see that the business can deliver on its commitments over time. An Indigenous business plan should therefore speak to:

• The skills and experience of the owners and key team members
• Training or capacity-building steps that will strengthen the business over time
• Major risks (market, operational, financial) and how they will be managed

7. Clear Executive Summary for Decision-Makers

Finally, all of these elements are brought together in a concise executive summary. For Indigenous projects, we often highlight:

• The core business idea and its revenue model
• Indigenous ownership and community linkages
• Projected financial performance and job creation
• The amount of funding requested and how it will be used

This makes it easy for lenders, investors, and program officers to quickly understand the opportunity and the broader impact.

Whether you are applying for a loan, contribution, or grant—or formalizing a joint venture—an Indigenous business plan should be both professionally structured and respectful of community context. We help you bring those pieces together in one coherent document that supports real-world decisions.