Apply now for the Business Growth Support Fund 2025–2026

Goal

The ITA Business Growth Support Fund is intended to support Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led tourism businesses that are ITA members to strengthen, grow, and sustain their operations. This program will provide 18 micro-grants of up to $10,000 each to fund business development, training, marketing, or infrastructure projects that directly enhance business performance and long-term resilience.

Who Should Apply

Eligible applicants include:

  • Indigenous-owned or Indigenous-led tourism businesses or organizations that are members of ITA.
  • Businesses currently operating or in advanced stages of development.
  • Applicants who can clearly demonstrate how the grant will help them grow, diversify, or stabilize their operations.

Funding Amount: up to $10,000 per successful applicant

Apply online here

What to Include in Your Application

Each application should clearly describe how the grant will be used to grow the business and strengthen its impact.

Proposals must include

Project Description

Describe your proposed project or initiative and how it will improve or expand your business. (Examples: training staff, upgrading equipment, creating a marketing plan, improving accessibility, attending a major trade show, or developing a new tourism product.)

Business Impact

Explain how your project will:

  • Attract or serve more visitors
  • Increase revenue or reduce costs
  • Strengthen sustainability or resilience
  • Support community, youth, or employment outcomes

Timeline & Milestones

Outline key project stages with start and completion dates.

Projects should be completed by March 31, 2026.

Budget

Provide an itemized list showing how the grant will be spent — include quotes, estimates, or supplier names when possible.

Expected Outcomes

Describe measurable outcomes such as:

  •  New or expanded products, services, or experiences
  •  Jobs created or maintained
  •  Increased sales, bookings, or visitors
  •  Improved skills, certifications, or systems

Sustainability Plan

Indicate how your project will continue to generate value beyond the grant period.

Eligible Project Categories

Projects may include (but are not limited to):

1. Capacity Building & Skills Development

  • Attend Indigenous entrepreneur or tourism accelerator programs
  • Obtain required industry certifications (food safety, guide accreditation, etc.)
  • Hire business or marketing consultants
  • Develop a succession or continuity plan

2. Business Growth & Market Expansion

  •  Redesign branding or marketing materials
  •  Build or upgrade your website or e-commerce store
  •  Produce professional photo/video assets or run ad campaigns
  •  Attend trade shows or tourism marketplaces

3. Equipment & Infrastructure Investments

  • Purchase tools or equipment to expand services
  • Upgrade technology systems (POS, booking, inventory)
  • Make accessibility or safety improvements
  • Invest in sustainable infrastructure (solar, energy-efficient systems)

4. Job Creation & Workforce Development

  • Hire new staff or Indigenous youth interns
  • Provide employee training or certifications
  • Build internal capacity for year-round operations

5. Business Continuity & Resilience

  • Obtain financial or insurance planning services
  • Diversify offerings or add a new product line
  • Build a crisis or contingency plan

6. Cultural & Community Impact

  • Develop Indigenous storytelling or cultural programming
  • Integrate Indigenous language and knowledge into branding
  • Partner with other Indigenous businesses to create shared experiences

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

  • Clarity and feasibility of the proposed project
  • Demonstrated impact on business growth and sustainability
  • Cultural integrity and community contribution
  • Readiness to implement within the 2025–2026 time-frame

How to Apply

Contact

For questions or support with your application, send us an email.