BC’s First Nations Equity Financing Program (FNEFP) provides provincial loan guarantees to help First Nations secure equity ownership in new, revenue-generating projects within their traditional territories. The program has a cumulative cap of $1 billion — and is now accepting applications on a continuous basis.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must:

• Be located within the applicant’s traditional territory
• Involve new capital construction or substantial expansion of existing assets
• Be commercially viable with strong projected financial performance
• Generate revenue and create net new employment
• Have a minimum total capital cost of $25M

Not eligible: housing, gaming, forest tenures, natural resource exploration, or non-revenue-generating assets.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• BC-based Indigenous Governing Bodies (Band Councils, Modern Treaty Nations)
• First Nations Development Corporations (with a Letter of Support from the relevant Indigenous Governing Body)
• Other incorporated entities owned and controlled by an Indigenous Governing Body (with a Letter of Support)

Applicants must also demonstrate they have begun seeking financing through one or more lenders.

Funding Details 

• Small & Medium Projects: $25M–$125M total capital cost
• Large Projects: $125M+
• Loan guarantee coverage: up to 20% of total capital costs
• Guarantee limits: $5M–$400M
• Term: up to 20 years

Deadline

No fixed deadline — applications are accepted on a continuous basis until the $1B guarantee limit is fully allocated. Early applications encouraged.