Updated June 2026 · Verified against All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO) on behalf of the Government of British Columbia (Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Loan Provincial Active

First Citizens Fund — BC Indigenous Business Loan Program

All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO) on behalf of the Government of British Columbia (Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation)
Maximum Funding
Up to $115,000
Ongoing — rolling intake through participating Aboriginal Capital Corporations
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
100%
First Citizens Fund — BC Indigenous Business Loan Program provides Up to $115,000 (lifetime maximum per business). Provincial loan program providing repayable term financing — with a built-in partial loan-forgiveness component of up to approximately 40% — for First Nations, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs resident in BC and operating a BC-based business. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. (As of June 2026, verified against All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO) on behalf of the Government of British Columbia (Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation) program guidelines)
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Provincial loan program providing repayable term financing — with a built-in partial loan-forgiveness component of up to approximately 40% — for First Nations, Métis and Inuit entrepreneurs resident in BC and operating a BC-based business. Delivered by ANTCO and four regional BC Aboriginal Capital Corporations (Nanaimo, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna areas). The forgiveness portion reduces the net repayment burden, making the effective cost of capital significantly below commercial lending rates. Eligible uses span start-up, business acquisition, and expansion capital.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be of Status or Non-status First Nations, Métis or Inuit ancestry and reside in British Columbia
  • Business must be located in and operating (or about to operate) in British Columbia
  • Business must be viable — assessed by the delivering Aboriginal Capital Corporation
  • Applied for and administered through one of the four participating BC Aboriginal Capital Corporations (not directly through ANTCO or the provincial government)
Provinces
British Columbia
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
Est. Hours
12h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $115,000 (lifetime maximum per business)
Type
Loan
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 100% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing — rolling intake through participating Aboriginal Capital Corporations

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Low
Effort
~12 hours
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

The First Citizens Fund is delivered through regional Aboriginal Capital Corporations — each has its own staff, intake process, and area of service. Find the one closest to your business location and connect directly. The partial forgiveness component (up to 40%) is not automatic — the delivering corporation confirms eligibility at approval. Ask explicitly about forgiveness terms and what portion of your loan qualifies before signing agreements.

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Rejection Pitfalls 5

  • Business not located in British Columbia
  • Applicant does not reside in BC
  • Business plan not deemed viable by the delivering Aboriginal Capital Corporation
+2 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

A First Nations, Métis or Inuit entrepreneur resident in BC with a viable business concept or existing business seeking start-up, acquisition, or expansion capital that conventional banks will not fully finance. Program is specifically designed for Indigenous entrepreneurs who face systemic barriers to commercial lending.

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Evaluation Criteria

Each regional Aboriginal Capital Corporation assesses applications on: Indigenous identity and BC residency of the applicant; viability of the business plan (market demand, realistic projections, management capacity); appropriate use of loan proceeds; and alignment with the delivering Corporation's portfolio and current lending capacity. A relationship with the regional Corporation is an asset.

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Locate Your Regional Aboriginal Capital Corporation Identify the ANTCO-affiliated Aboriginal Capital Corporation serving your region of BC. Contact them directly — the First Citizens Fund is not applied for through ANTCO or the provincial government directly.
2 Initial Consultation Meet with a business advisor at the regional Corporation to discuss your business idea, residency, and Indigenous identity. This informal step ensures you are on the right program track before preparing a full application.
3 Prepare Business Plan and Documents Develop a business plan covering your business concept, market analysis, startup costs, financial projections, and ownership structure. Gather supporting documents: photo ID, proof of Indigenous identity, proof of BC residency, and financial records.
4 Submit Application Complete the Corporation's application form and submit with all required documents. The advisor may assist with any gaps in the application package.
5 Review and Approval Decision The Corporation reviews the application, conducts a credit and viability assessment, and issues an approval decision — typically within 4–10 weeks of a complete submission. Ask about the forgiveness component at this stage.
6 Loan Agreement and Disbursement Sign the loan agreement and any forgiveness documentation. Funds are advanced to your business bank account or directed to approved vendors. Repayment begins per the agreed schedule.

Required Documents 8

✓ Completed application form (supplied by the delivering Aboriginal Capital Corporation)
✓ Government-issued photo ID
✓ Proof of Indigenous identity (status card, Métis citizenship, or self-declaration)
✓ Proof of BC residency
✓ Business plan with financial projections
✓ Personal financial statement
✓ Quotes for capital purchases or startup costs (if applicable)
✓ Last 1–2 years of personal tax returns (for existing business owners)

Eligible Expenses 7

  • Business startup costs (registration, legal, accounting)
  • Equipment and machinery
  • Inventory and initial stock
  • Working capital for initial operations
  • Leasehold improvements
  • Business acquisition costs
  • Marketing and promotional materials

Ineligible Expenses 5

  • Personal expenses of the owner
  • Refinancing of existing personal or business debt
  • Speculative investments
  • Businesses operating outside British Columbia
  • Expenses not related to starting or growing a viable business

Intake Periods

Rolling continuous intake year-round through participating BC Aboriginal Capital Corporations. No fixed intake windows.

Deadline Notes

No fixed application deadlines. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the delivering Aboriginal Capital Corporation in the applicant's region. Contact the nearest BC Aboriginal Capital Corporation to begin the process. The program was last updated on gov.bc.ca in January 2024.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Non-Indigenous-led businesses
  • Businesses operating or located outside British Columbia
  • Applicants who have reached the $75,000 lifetime borrowing maximum
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP/ABFP) — NACCA Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) Métis Financial Corporation of BC (MFCBC)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

The repayable loan portion is subject to standard loan recovery on default. The forgiven non-repayable portion could be recovered if funds were used for non-approved purposes under the forgiveness agreement, but this is rare given the relationship-based delivery model.

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How First Citizens Fund — BC Indigenous Busine... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
First Citizens Fund — BC Indigenous B... Up to $115,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — rolling intake...
Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (... Up to $99,999 Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
Canada Small Business Financing Program Up to $1.15 million Easy Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Métis Financial Corporation of BC (MF... Preferred-rate financing for... Moderate Loan Ongoing — rolling intake
Ocean Supercluster Up to $5 million Hard Reimbursement Call-specific — no open...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about First Citizens Fund — BC Indigenous Busine...

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Is the forgiveness portion automatic or do I have to apply for it?
The forgiveness component is confirmed during the loan approval process by your regional Aboriginal Capital Corporation — it is not automatic. Confirm the forgiveness terms and qualifying portion with your Corporation before signing agreements.
What is the $75,000 lifetime maximum — can I borrow more later?
The $75,000 applies lifetime across all BC Aboriginal Capital Corporation programs you access. Once reached, you are ineligible for additional First Citizens Fund lending, though other programs (CSBFP, AEP) remain available.
Do I need to be a Status Indian to apply?
No — the program is open to Status and Non-status First Nations, as well as Métis and Inuit peoples. Proof of Indigenous identity is required but a status card is not mandatory.
Can I use this to buy an existing business?
Yes, business acquisition is an eligible use alongside startup costs and expansion capital.
Can I stack this with federal AEP grants?
Yes — the non-repayable AEP contribution (via NACCA or the delivering Aboriginal Capital Corporation) can complement this loan on different cost categories. Confirm stacking rules with your Corporation.

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