Funding Your Project
The Anishinabek Nation offers support to Anishinabek citizen, individuals and businesses wishing to start food production and processing in Ontario. This section of our website is for communities who wish to start not for profit projects. For more information on starting an agricultural business, please refer to the Agricultural Organizations section of the website. We can provide assistance and information to help you start up your project. We can provide review of funding applications, prior to submission. Please contact Lynn Moreau by email to request help with your project at [email protected].
Indigenous Growth Fund
The Indigenous Growth Fund is Canada’s newest and largest Indigenous social impact fund. The $150M investment fund provides improved access to capital for Aboriginal Financial Institutions and Indigenous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), overcoming some of the barriers they have historically faced.
COIL-Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad-Our Food Future
link to siteThe Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL) is an innovation platform and activation network aimed at creating, proving and scaling transformative solutions that will move Canada toward a more sustainable, circular economy.
McConnell Foundation
link to siteWe envision a Canada in which the economy and social systems advance the well-being of all people, and in which the natural environment is stewarded for future generations. We are committed to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and seek to unleash the resources and creativity of individuals and organizations from all sectors to solve social challenges.
The McConnell Foundation is a private Canadian foundation that develops and applies innovative approaches to social, cultural, economic and environmental challenges. We do so through granting and investing, capacity building, convening, and co-creation with grantees, partners and the public.
Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative
link to siteThe objective of the Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative is to increase economic development opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada. This initiative will support Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
Through this initiative, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) aims to contribute to the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce barriers for underrepresented groups and focus on building Indigenous Peoples’ capacity to succeed in agriculture.
The initiative supports the development of partnerships between federal and non-federal partners, including Indigenous communities, provincial and territorial governments, and the private sector.
Indigenous Food Circle
link to siteUnderstanding Our Food Systems is a collaborative participatory, action-based project led by fourteen First Nations communities and supported by a collaborative partnership between the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Indigenous Food Circle. The project is supported by a passionate team of researchers, facilitators and community development professionals. The group works to build a deeper understanding of Indigenous food security and sovereignty.
Canada Ontario Resource Development Agreement
link to siteThe Canada Ontario Resource Development Agreement (CORDA) is an Agreement between Canada, Ontario and First Nations’ members in Ontario. The Agreement promotes resource and economic development initiatives of First Nations members by providing financial assistance to develop and utilize sustainable natural resources. CORDA receives funding from Indigenous Services Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
For more information contact Megan Goulais, Economic Development Coordinator at the Anishinabek Nation at [email protected] or email [email protected].
Seeds of Diversity
link to siteWe are a group of seed savers from coast to coast who protect Canada’s seed biodiversity by growing it ourselves and sharing it with others. Every year, we multiply the most vulnerable seed varieties that we can, exchange seeds with each other, and keep those varieties alive and in cultivation for future gardeners to enjoy.
As a membership organization, our main funding is from our own contributions in subscriptions and charitable donations. Over 1000 members across Canada make Seeds of Diversity a vibrant and visible part of the gardening and food security scene.
Besides multiplying rare seeds, we volunteer at over 150 Seedy Saturday and Seedy Sunday events across Canada, write articles for our popular magazine and monthly email bulletin, package seeds for community seed libraries, and help beginner seed savers learn the easy techniques for growing good seeds.
Seedchange
link to siteSeedChange, formerly known as USC Canada, is a non-profit organization that works with farmers around the world, including in Canada, to strengthen their ability to grow food sustainably with locally adapted seeds. The organization was founded in 1945 by Lotta Hitschmanova as the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada. By keeping seeds in farmers’ hands and strengthening farmers’ knowledge, Seedchange helps communities thrive.
Greenbelt Foundation
link to siteThe Greenbelt Foundation stewards Ontario’s Greenbelt, two million acres of protected land that provide clean air, fresh water, climate resilience, and a reliable local food source to help Ontario thrive. We are the only charitable organization solely dedicated to the health and prosperity of Ontario’s Greenbelt.
link to siteThe Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council currently has a program called “Growing Opportunities”. Under this program your business or First Nation can receive up to $7500 between September 2021 and March of 2022 to hire a post-secondary student. There is funding for 125 positions available.
Anishinabek Agriculture