PURPOSE:
The Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant is a grant to assist a startup or expanding Native American business in Montana. 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.
Download the IEF Cashflow Spreadsheet.
GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD:
July 1 through Sept. 30, 2026.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
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.
GRANT AMOUNT:
Awards for individual businesses can be up to $40,000, with a minimum dollar-to-dollar cash or in-kind match, and must be firmly committed and documented in the application.
GUIDELINES:
2026 IEF program guidelines are available at the link below.