Updated March 2026 · Verified against First Peoples Economic Growth Fund Inc. (Province of Manitoba & Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement
Grant Provincial Active

First Peoples Economic Growth Fund (FPEGF)

First Peoples Economic Growth Fund Inc. (Province of Manitoba & Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs)
Maximum Funding
Up to 30% non-repayable contribution +...
Open
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
30%
First Peoples Economic Growth Fund (FPEGF) provides Up to 30% non-repayable contribution + up to $20,000 business plan assistance. Up to 30% non-repayable contribution for Manitoba First Nation business ventures, plus up to $20,000 in business plan development assistance. The program covers up to 30% of eligible costs. Open. (As of March 2026, verified against First Peoples Economic Growth Fund Inc. (Province of Manitoba & Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs) program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Up to 30% non-repayable contribution for Manitoba First Nation business ventures, plus up to $20,000 in business plan development assistance. Exclusively for Manitoba First Nation individuals or communities with 51%+ ownership. Requires minimum 10% cash equity from the applicant.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Manitoba First Nation individual or community
  • 51%+ Indigenous ownership required
  • Minimum 10% cash equity contribution from applicant
  • Viable business plan required
  • Business must operate in or serve Manitoba
Provinces
Manitoba
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
Est. Hours
15h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to 30% non-repayable contribution + up to $20,000 business plan assistance
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 30% of eligible costs
Deadline
Open

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Low
Effort
~15 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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Approval likelihood, realistic amounts, competition level, and what winners look like
Consultants charge $500–$2,000 per program. This Playbook is $19.
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win FPEGF — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
Unlock this Playbook — $19 or subscribe for $29/mo · 30-day money-back →

Applying for FPEGF? Our Business Plan Template ($29) is the Canadian-format business plan reviewers and lenders are used to seeing. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →

How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

The $20,000 business plan assistance is a standout feature — apply for this first if you don't have a polished plan. FPEGF staff actively help applicants through the process. The non-repayable contribution means this is essentially a grant, not a loan. Combine with the business plan assistance to strengthen your overall application.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Success Profile

Manitoba First Nation entrepreneurs starting or expanding businesses across all sectors — retail operations, construction companies, tourism enterprises, service businesses, and agricultural operations. Community-owned ventures serving on-reserve needs are common successful applicants alongside individual entrepreneurs.

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

Viability of the business plan; management capacity and experience of the applicant; First Nation ownership verification (51%+ threshold); adequacy of the financing structure (10% cash equity + 40% commercial loan); projected community and economic impact; business does not fall into excluded categories.

Premium See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus.
Don’t waste 15 hours on a preventable rejection
Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
Paid grant writers quote $2,000–$5,000 per program. Start with the $19 Playbook first.
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Application Playbook

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

Premium 9 steps 6 docs

Application Steps

1 Confirm eligibility: 51%+ First Nation ownership, Manitoba headquarters, 10% cash equity available
2 If no business plan exists, apply first for the Business Plan Assistance stream (up to $20,000) to develop one
3 Contact FPEGF at [email protected] or 1-888-942-6026 for pre-application guidance
4 Prepare a comprehensive business plan and financial projections
5 Secure confirmation of 40% commercial loan financing from a lender
6 Gather required documents: proof of First Nation status, equity evidence, business plan, financial projections, commercial loan confirmation
7 Download and complete application forms from firstpeoplesfund.ca
8 Submit completed application to FPEGF (1075 Portage Ave, Ste 102, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0R8)
9 Await review and approval (6–12 weeks); control period begins on approval

Required Documents 6

✓ Application form
✓ Business plan (or apply for $20,000 business plan assistance)
✓ Proof of First Nation status
✓ Evidence of 10% cash equity
✓ Financial projections
✓ Community or personal identification

Eligible Expenses 7

  • Start-up costs for a new business venture
  • Expansion costs for an existing business operation
  • Acquisition costs for a viable business
  • Business plan development (up to 75% of cost, max $20,000)
  • Environmental assessments (up to 75% of cost)
  • Marketing costs (up to 60% of cost)
  • Business support, training, and aftercare management (up to 75% of cost)

Ineligible Expenses 7

  • Bars and alcohol-focused establishments
  • Gambling venues with video lottery terminals
  • Sexually exploitative businesses
  • Pawn shops and payday loan operations
  • Tobacco retailers
  • Passive investments (apartment blocks, real estate not operated as active business)
  • Businesses that would significantly harm existing local competitors

Intake Periods

Open continuously — applications accepted on an ongoing basis year-round.

Deadline Notes

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Processing times may vary based on application complexity and volume.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Non-First Nation businesses
  • Businesses with less than 51% Manitoba First Nation ownership
  • Businesses unable to provide 10% cash equity
  • Businesses headquartered outside Manitoba
  • Businesses in excluded categories (bars, gambling, pawn shops, passive investments, etc.)
Premium Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare.

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 4 partners

Compatible Programs

Community Futures Lending Aboriginal Business Canada (ISED) Programs Manitoba Metis Federation Economic Development Programs Indigenous Growth Fund
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk
Premium See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.
See your total funding potential across 4 programs
Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
One avoided clawback typically outweighs the $19 Playbook cost by 50–100×.
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How FPEGF Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
First Peoples Economic Growth Fund (F... up to $20,000 b Easy Reimbursement Open
Indigenous Growth Fund Via local IFIs (amounts vary) Easy Loan Ongoing (apply through...
PrairiesCan (Prairies Economic Develo... Varies Hard Reimbursement Ongoing
Canada-Manitoba Job Grant Up to 75% of costs Easy Reimbursement Ongoing
Innovation Growth Program Up to $100,000 Moderate Reimbursement Quarterly intakes...

Related Programs

Other programs you might be eligible for

Free
Forgivable Loan

Strategic Response Fund (formerly Strategic Innovation Fund)

Up to $50 million · Federal
 Loan

Black Entrepreneurship Program

Up to $250,000 · Federal
 Grant

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

Up to $1M typical (avg ~$94K) · $10M ceiling for major... · Federal

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about FPEGF

Free
Can sole proprietors apply with 51% Indigenous ownership?
Yes, as long as the business is owned by a Manitoba First Nation individual or community with 51%+ Indigenous ownership. Sole proprietors must provide proof of ownership and 10% cash equity.
What's the typical award amount?
Most grants range from $25,000 to $150,000, with the maximum $99,999 being rare for smaller ventures. The $20,000 business plan assistance is often applied for separately.
Do I need to provide matching funds upfront?
Yes, a minimum 10% cash equity contribution is required from the applicant before funds are disbursed. This must be documented as part of the application.
Why do applications fail most often?
Common rejections include insufficient Indigenous ownership proof (less than 51%), inability to show 10% cash equity, or business plans that lack viability (use the $20,000 business plan assistance to avoid this).
Can I stack this with other programs?
Yes, FPEGF can be combined with Community Futures loans, ISED programs, and the Indigenous Growth Fund for comprehensive business support without conflict.

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