The Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant is a grant to assist a startup or expanding Native American business in Montana.
Donor Name: Montana Department of Commerce
State: Montana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This money can be used for a variety of activities such as the purchase of new equipment or the development of a new product line. A total of $320,000 is available to fund Native American businesses in Montana.
Funding Information
Applicants can request a maximum of $14,000 and must demonstrate a reasonable justification for the use of funds.
Eligible Activities
Funds can be used for a variety of business activities, usually funded by a commercial lender. These activities may include but are not limited to:
- Purchase of land, building, property renovations, signage, lighting, security systems, fencing, displays, organizational systems, and lockable display cases.
- Purchase of assets including interior or exterior furnishings, equipment, and technology.
- Business branding, website (with some limitations), logo design, promotional materials, and some marketing.
- Business inventory, supplies, culinary supplies, tools, and essential materials to produce products or provide services.
- Selected use of working capital for business operations. A very strong case must be made to utilize funds for working capital.
- Existing business owners must show how the funding will support growth in their business either through the development of a new product or service with the existing business strategy.
Eligibility Criteria
The funds are available to enrolled members of the eight federally recognized tribes in Montana. All applications must include documentation of tribal enrollment in the form of a Certified Indian Blood Form or Tribal ID. An application will be considered incomplete without this information.
Ineligibility
- Any applicant or business in Montana that is debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, or declared as ineligible to receive State of Montana funds is ineligible to receive these grant funds.
- Additionally, any applicant under a garnishment order at the time of application from the Montana Department of Revenue for monies owed to the State of Montana is an ineligible recipient of funds. Examples of garnishment include taxes owed to the State, child support payments that are past due and funds owed to the university system. Meals, lodging, and mileage reimbursements are also ineligible expenses.
- Also, non-profit organizations (entities).
For more information, visit Montana Department of Commerce.
