Updated March 2026 · Verified against Kakivak Association guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Advance Payment
Grant Private Active

Kakivak Association - Sivummut Grants to Small Businesses

Kakivak Association
Maximum Funding
Up to $25,000
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Advance Payment
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
90%
Kakivak Association - Sivummut Grants to Small Businesses provides up to Up to $25,000 total per business grants to eligible Inuit-owned businesses in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut to support business pre-start up, start-up, and expansion activities. The program covers up to 90% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. (As of March 2026, verified against Kakivak Association program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Provides grants to eligible Inuit-owned businesses in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut to support business pre-start up, start-up, and expansion activities.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Business must be Inuit-owned
  • Must be located in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut
  • Project must support business pre-start-up, start-up, or expansion activities
  • Must be able to demonstrate Inuit ownership and control of the business
Provinces
Nunavut
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
Est. Hours
10h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $25,000 total per business
Type
Grant
Level
Private
Co-Funding
Up to 90% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Low
Effort
~10 hours
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%

See how this program compares on approval odds, difficulty, and competition — so you know if it’s worth your time. Unlock with Premium →

Know your real odds before investing 40+ hours
Approval likelihood, realistic amounts, competition level, and what winners look like
Try Free for 7 Days →
What You Need to Get Approved
Everything reviewers look for — so you apply with confidence, not guesswork

How to Win

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

Premium
Insider Tip

Call Kakivak first (1-800-561-0911). The BDO relationship is central — staff actively help structure proposals. Demonstrate economic impact for your community. 10% equity contribution is required.

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

Rejection Pitfalls 4

  • Not Inuit-owned
  • Outside Qikiqtani region
  • Cannot provide 10% equity
+1 more pitfalls

See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours. Unlock with Premium →

Success Profile

Inuit-owned business in Qikiqtani region (Nunavut). Clear economic development project with community impact. Able to provide 10% equity contribution.

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

Evaluation Criteria

Kakivak committee review with BDO financial assessment. Key factors: Inuit ownership verification, community economic benefit of the project, viability of the business plan, strength of the 10% equity contribution, and ability to execute within Nunavut's logistical context. Hamlet or HTO letter of support is recommended and carries meaningful weight.

See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus. Unlock with Premium →

Don’t waste 10 hours on a preventable rejection
4 reasons applications get rejected, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
Try Free for 7 Days →

Application Steps

1 Call Kakivak first Phone 1-800-561-0911 to speak with a Business Development Officer. Confirm current program availability (hellodarwin.com listed the program as 'archived' — verify status directly). The BDO will guide you through eligibility and documentation.
2 BDO consultation Schedule a consultation with BDO (Kakivak's financial assessment partner). They actively help structure proposals. Bring a description of your business, your project idea, rough cost estimates, and proof of Inuit ownership.
3 Request and complete the application form Download the PDF application form from kakivak.ca or obtain from BDO. Complete all sections including business description, project scope, and funding request.
+4 more steps

Required Documents 5

✓ PDF application form (from kakivak.ca or via BDO)
✓ Business plan
✓ Financial statements (existing businesses)
✓ Evidence of 10% equity contribution
✓ Proof of Inuit business ownership

Eligible Expenses 6

  • Business plan development costs
  • Licences and permits
  • Renovations to business premises
  • Machinery and equipment
  • Tools and supplies
  • Office equipment

Ineligible Expenses 3

  • Working capital and operational expenses without a capital project
  • Expenses for non-Inuit-owned business components
  • Projects outside the Qikiqtani Region

Deadline Notes

No documented intake windows. Continuous applications. Contact Kakivak directly (1-800-561-0911).

Ineligible Organizations

  • Non-Inuit-owned businesses (must be Inuk or 51%+ Inuit partnership)
  • Businesses outside the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut
  • Businesses that cannot provide a 10% equity contribution
  • Businesses without a valid municipal business licence

Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare. Unlock with Premium →

Compatible Programs

CanNor IDEANorth Kakivak Makigiaqvik Loans Kakivak EOF Baffin Business Development Corporation
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

Moderate. Funds must be used for approved project purposes per the contribution agreement. Repayment required if conditions are breached. Program-level reporting is modest relative to federal programs.

See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →

See your total funding potential across 4 programs
Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
Try Free for 7 Days →

How Kakivak Association - Sivum... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Kakivak Association - Sivummut Grants... Up to $25,000 total per business Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
CanNor IDEANorth (Inclusive Diversifi... $50,000 to $6,000,000 Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
Baffin Business Development Corporati... up to $100K Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
Canadian Northern Economic Developmen... Varies Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Kakivak Association - Economic Opport... Up to $10,000 per year Easy Advance Payment Ongoing

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 $1 million · Federal