This application is for the Indigenous Tourism Alberta MicroFund – ITA members can apply for up to $40,000 in tourism relief funding. This program is supported in partnership with Travel Alberta and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). Please note that Travel Alberta will be jointly evaluating applications alongside our ITA team.  ITA MicroFund

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

Expenses must be incurred between April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023. Successful applicants will be required to provide receipts to receive retroactive funding.

• Product Development & Enhancement
• Destination Development

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

**Please note, you must complete your membership survey by December 9, 2022 in order to be considered for this MicroFund. Applicants must be an ITA members in good standing and fall under 1 of the following categories:

1) A key supplier/operator in the visitor experience

A key supplier/operator in the visitor experience is 1 which provides the infrastructure and services necessary to support a tourism economy, connects tourism products to potential markets, leads planning for sustainable destination development and supports capacity building/skill development in the sector, etc.

2) Part of a defined tourism cluster

A tourism cluster is a geographic concentration of businesses and organizations involved in tourism, linked by common and complementary products and services that are tailored for the visitor economy and supported by a network of services and associated institutions. A tourism cluster can include — but is not limited to — a community or region that is dependent on tourism for economic activity or is transitioning towards a more tourism-focused local economy.

3) An anchor product in a destination

An anchor product in a destination is defined as a key asset that serves as a motivator of travel to the region. It is the activity or product that provides the catalyst for the visitor to visit the destination. Anchor products may be operated by for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. Eligible applicants need to be part of the tourism ecosystem and will include tourism entities that cater mainly to visitors (not including local residents). The following eligible applicants include:

• incorporated businesses, primarily small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• not-for-profit incorporated organizations (including tourism associations and destination marketing organizations)
• municipalities, municipal organizations, Crown corporations and related parties
• Indigenous/First Nation/Métis Settlement owned business (including Indigenous sole proprietorships) or an indigenous organization such as Indigenous-led not-for-profits and organizations which include but are not limited to First Nations as represented by their Chief and Council, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Representative Organizations, Métis and Inuit organizations and Settlements as well as Indigenous/First Nation/Métis Settlement owned organizations.

INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Businesses that are in the following industries are normally not eligible under this initiative:

• restaurants
• retail sector
• hotel chains

Note: In exceptional cases, restaurants and Canadian-owned hotels may be considered for funding if they are an anchor product and the main reason for attracting tourists to the region. These will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

HOW TO APPLY 

Applications are to be made through your ITA Connect account. If you are having issues accessing ITA Connect, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Applications open: Saturday, October 15, 2022
Applications close: December 10, 2022 at 11:50 PM MST

You may complete the application in video, or audio message and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

https://indigenoustourismalberta.extranet.simpleviewcrm.com/marketplace/#/promotiondetail?promoId=1

If you are a not a member of ITA but are interested in applying, please contact ITA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

6:00 pm

Cochrane Alliance Church

The Investment Readiness Program (IRP) has launched a round specific to urban Indigenous socially-purposed organizations (SPOs) through the (National Association of Friendship Centre's) NAFC’s open call for applications to design, plan and launch social enterprise ventures.

Through this round of the IRP, the NAFC aims to boost urban Indigenous participation in social innovation and social finance. This is especially important for urban Indigenous communities, given the multiple barriers and under-representation in this field. The program carries a lens that promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as the growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, helps Friendship Centre's, Provincial / Territorial Associations and other urban indigenous SPOs develop greater economic prosperity.

Applications may apply to one of the three NAFC IRP funding streams:

1. Explore Stream ($10,000-$45,000) – for early ‘idea’ or ‘proof-of-concept’ stage or an existing early-stage enterprise
2. Start Stream ($10,000 - $150,000) – beyond the “idea stage” and are ready to prove a concept
3. Grow Stream ($10,000 - $150,000) – beyond both the “idea stage” and “start up” stage and has been in operation for at least one year, the enterprise has demonstrated success and self-sufficiency and has proven positive impacts for the community

Community Futures Centre West knows that community matters as much as success.

VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS OPPORTUNITY
We are recruiting forward-thinking, value-oriented board members with a passion for leadership, community development, and entrepreneurship. Our professional board development program will keep you challenged, stimulate creativity and build leadership capabilities.

Community Futures is your Board Training Partner

Board Members are dedicated, hardworking volunteers. They are highly skilled in a variety of areas of governance. Regardless of their experience with boards, operations and financial management, Board Training will ensure that they continue to be effective in their governance roles.

Make your board be the best it can be with with Community Futures Leadership Institute Board training for Community and Not-For-Profit Organizations.