Indian Country Financial Assistance

INDIAN COUNTRY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The Office of Indian Country Economic Development Grant Program awards funds to projects that strengthen Montana’s economy through the development and enhancement of business opportunities on reservations, in tribal communities and for Native American businesses. Programs Include: Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant Purpose: Assist startup or expanding Native American businesses in Montana. Award Amount: Up to $40,000 per award. Grant Application Period: July1 - Sept 30, 2026 Eligible Applicants: Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes based in Montana and enrolled members of the Little Shell Tribe residing in Montana Learn More Native American Business Advisors Grant Purpose: The Native American Business Advisors Grant is a fund to support native organizations that offer business and credit counseling, and application support to Native American businesses in Montana. Award Amount: $20,000 per tribal government or subgrantee per fiscal year. Grant Application Period: July 1 - July 31, 2026 Eligible Applicants: Native American development organizations that have offered technical assistance services to pre-venture and established Native American businesses in Montana. Learn More Native American Collateral Support Program Purpose: The Native American Collateral Support Program addresses the lack of access to capital for Native American-owned businesses. This program was developed from the feedback of a diverse set of stakeholders that prioritized the development of a financial product and pathway for Native American businesses to access financing and capitalize the launch and growth of their businesses. Eligible Applicants: An eligible borrower is a Native American-owned business with a structure that is a recognized entity under Montana or tribal law that is registered with the Montana Secretary of State's Office or under respective tribal ordinances. Borrowers shall complete a Native American Business Owner Certification Form and submit it with their application. Learn More Tribal Business Development Grant Purpose: The Tribal Business Development Grant is a competitive grant program to connect participating tribes of Montana with the resources necessary to advance shovel-ready projects that will provide a measurable and beneficial economic impact for the community. Award Amount: A total of up to $240,000 per fiscal year is available. Grant Application Period: Nov. 17 - Dec. 31, 2025 Eligible Applicants: The TBDG is intended for the governing bodies of Montana’s eight tribal governments or tribally-owned businesses and is intended to assist in deploying businesses for which planning is more or less complete, approval permits are in place and laborers can get to work once sufficient funding is secured. Learn More Tribal Tourism Grant Purpose: Assist tribal governments to expand tourism assets. Award Amount: Up to $50,000 per award. Grant Application Period: Currently closed to applications. Eligible Applicants: Tribal governments in Montana. Learn More Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant Purpose: Assist a startup or expanding Native American-owned tourism businesses in Montana. Award Amount: $10,000 with no match requirement. Grant Application Period: Currently closed to applications. Eligible Applicants: Enrolled citizens of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Montana, aged 18 or older. Learn More The Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant The Native American Business Advisor Grant The Native American Collateral Support Program The Tribal Business Development Grant Tribal Tourism Grant Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant