Resources for Native entrepreneurs

Funding for Native Entrepreneurs

Nonprofit & Business Loans

↠ The Loan Fund offers business loans and lines of credit up to $500,000 throughout New Mexico. Call (505) 243-3196 or info@loanfund.org.

Application deadline: ongoing

↠ DreamSpring increases access to business credit, offers loans, and provides training throughout New Mexico. Call (800) 508-7624 or info@dreamspring.org.

Application deadline: ongoing

↠ LiftFund provides education and capital up to $500,000 to business owners and entrepreneurs in Southern New Mexico. Call (888) 215-2373 or info@liftfund.com.

Application deadline: ongoing

Arts Grants

↠ CERF+ Emergency Assistance grants specifically for artists infected with COVID-19.

Application deadline: ongoing

Nonprofit & Business Grants

↠ T-Mobile’s Hometown Grants offer up to $50,000 for community revitalization projects. The application is open quarterly

↠ The Pollination Project. Accepting new applications from individuals, groups, and startup not-for-profit organizations based anywhere in the world. Your proposals must serve charitable community purposes and not personal gain. Your project’s total budget must be under $10,000 and you can request up to $1,000 in grant funding.

Recovery for Native Businesses

Navajo Artisan & Business Relief Grants -

The Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development has been approved to administer the Artisan and Business Grant Program using funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This program is a continuation of the 2020 CARES Act Artisan and Business Grant Program and will prioritize those certified Navajo artisans and small business, who have not been previously awarded during the 2020 award period. The grant program is now re-opened to Navajo entrepreneurs and artisans who have not previously received grant funds. Click here to apply!

Transitioning your business online

↠ Dibé Nitsaa Creative. Navajo Four Corners-based graphic design company.

↠ Hundred Storms Creative. Navajo-owned, Tuba City-based branding and marketing agency.

↠ Bowen Creative. An ABQ-based Native American creative firm.

↠ Obsidian Websites. A PHX-based Native American design firm.

Tools & Information

Looking for Native vendors and service providers?
Change Labs created Rez Rising, the nation’s largest digital database of Native American entrepreneurs, because buying Native shouldn’t be hard.

Want to register your business on the Navajo Nation?

Want to register your business on the Navajo Nation? We’ve created Build Navajo, a step-by-step guide to business registration on the Navajo Nation.

Supporting the community

Supporting Native businesses

↠ Rez Rising. Rez Rising is the nation’s largest database of Native American small businesses across the Southwest providing high-quality products and services.

↠ ShopNavajo. An online marketplace assisting Native entrepreneurs test business ideas and products with online market testing.

↠ IndigiExchange. An online marketplace where customers can connect with Indigenous artists across Indian Country.

Donate to Native-led 501(c)(3)s

↠ Change Labs. A donation to Change Labs will help us lend money to small businesses in need of cash and also help with the recovery efforts on the Navajo and Hopi Nations.

↠ AISES Together Towards Tomorrow Fund. Providing Native American/Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university a one-time scholarship of $500.

↠ First People’s Fund. Providing training and resources to grassroots artists and culture bearers within their network.