(Photo: Samantha Adrienne Photography)

Micro Business

The Micro Business category of the SEED program supports individuals or small business where revenues are not likely to exceed $50 000. Funding is generally used for equipment, raw materials, and other necessary expenses. Within Micro Business, funds are reserved for Film, Arts & Crafts, and the Prospector’s Grubstake.

What is the purpose?

Support licensed artists, crafts producers, commercial renewable resources harvesters, and small business that show financial need.

What are the funds for?

• Purchase of tools and equipment to increase the quality or quantity of production related to arts and crafts or the traditional economy.
• Purchase of raw materials for the production of traditional arts and crafts.
• Purchase of film making equipment.
• Other purchases necessary for self-employment.

What information do I need to provide?

• Description of the project along with cost quotes.
• Demonstration of financial need.
• Demonstration of ability to produce art, commercial harvesting, or NWT business license.
• Description of the intended market for products – may be required to register on the NWT Arts Database.

Equity requirements

• Group One communities (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Inuvik) – 30%
• Group Two communities (all other NWT communities within the NWT) – 20%
• Equity may be in the form of Sweat Equity when the client does not have sufficient cash and income.  

Arts & Crafts

As the NWT is developing and becoming recognized as a place where quality art and film products are produced, it is important to ensure that the industry continues to grow. For that reason, additional funds have been allocated to encourage the development and production of art and film products within the NWT.

What is the purpose?

The purpose is to assist licensed artists and craft producers to maintain and grow the arts scene within the NWT.

What are the funds for?

• Purchase of tools and equipment to increase the quality or quantity of production related to arts and crafts or the traditional economy.
• Purchase of raw materials for the production of traditional arts and crafts.
• Purchase of film making equipment.
• Other purchases necessary for self-employment.

What information do I need to provide?

• Description of the project along with cost quotes.
• Demonstration of financial need.
• Demonstration of ability to produce art, commercial harvesting, or NWT business license.
• Description of the intended market for products – may be required to register on the NWT Arts Database.

Equity requirements

• Group One communities (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Inuvik) – 30%
• Group Two communities (all other NWT communities within the NWT) – 20%
• Equity may be in the form of Sweat Equity when the client does not have sufficient cash and income.  

Prospector’s Grubstake

What is the purpose?

The Prospector’s Grubstake program provides funding to NWT prospectors to help defray costs for a wide range of prospecting activities. It is one way that the GWNT is working to stimulate grassroots mineral exploration in the NWT.

What are the funds for?

• Purchase of tools and equipment.
• Stake mineral claims.

What information do I need to provide?

• Description of the project along with cost quotes.
• Demonstration of financial need.

Equity requirements

• Group One communities (Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Inuvik) – 30%
• Group Two communities (all other NWT communities within the NWT) – 20%
• Equity may be in the form of Sweat Equity when the client does not have sufficient cash and income.

To apply for Micro Business funding, download the form below.

Inquries

For more information on any of these programs, please contact your ITI regional office.