Information

PURPOSE: The Native American Business Advisor (NABA) Grant is a fund to support native organizations that offer business and credit counseling, and application support to Native American businesses in Montana. The NABAs are a key community asset necessary in the development and success of Native American businesses. To develop this asset, the Program is focused on increasing the technical capacity of the NABA network such as assisting individuals in business start-up, marketing, utilization of business resources, and commercial loan application assistance. Additionally, NABAs will also provide more robust application assistance to the Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant applicants.

GRANT APPLICATION PERIOD: September 1, 2023 to October 16, 2023

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS: The funds are available to Native American community-based organizations, tribal colleges, and tribal government organizations that support private sector business development on reservations and in tribal communities.

GRANT AMOUNT: A total of $20,000 per year is available to fund up to eight NABA applications in each of the tribal nation areas.

GUIDELINES: Click HERE for the 2024 NABA program guidelines.

NABA Services

HOW A NABA ORGANIZATION CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS

Business Counseling Services
NABAs can assist individuals in creating, writing, and implementing a business plan, establishing product or service cost structures, assisting with market analysis and feasibility resources, establishing realistic financial projections, or providing marketing and sales instruction and information.
Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant Application Assistance
As part of their contract NABAs online platform to the Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant program for fiscal year 2024 funding. The cycle of Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant starts September 1, 2023 and runs through October 31, 2023.
Commercial Loan Application Assistance
Where applicable NABAs can assist Native American businesses with developing and submitting a commercial loan application such as those submitted to a community bank, a community-based lender, tribal loan program, or program such as USDA.
Credit Counseling Services
Where applicable, some NABA organizations provide training, workshops, and financial products for individuals to strengthen their financial management skills such as developing and utilizing a budget, understanding and establishing creditworthiness and accessing credit.
Referrals to Other Organizations
NABA organizations are Inclusive Entrepreneurship participants and have a wide network of partners to which they can refer a business for additional assistance. This includes the Montana Small Business Development Center Network that has 10 locations strategically placed across the state.
Capacity Building Activities
Each NABA organizations has focused on individual trainings, workshops, classes, and professional development that are specific to the organization. Inquire with your local NABA for specialized trainings and opportunities exclusive to your area. Specialized areas of focus include:
- Tribal Tourism Resources and Development:National Guidelines: Indigenous Cultural Experiences (produced by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada)
- Tourism Business Listing on the visitmt.com website
- Review Linking Communities, Tourism & Conservation: A Tourism Assessment Process (George Washington University)
Native American Made in Montana producer enrollmentThis program assists Montana businesses in developing and marketing their products both in and out of the state. The program, which also includes Grown in Montana and Native American Made in Montana, helps build recognition for products that are "authentically Montana."