The Native American Business Advisor Grant | Montana Department of Commerce

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Purpose:

The Native American Business Advisor 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 by assisting individuals in business startup, marketing, utilization of business resources and commercial loan application assistance. Additionally, NABAs provide more robust application assistance to the Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant applicants.

Grant Application Period:

Open from 7/30/25 to 8/22/25

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:

The 2026 NABA program guidelines are available.

Application:

Information for NABA application is available on ServiceNow. Applicants will be required to register with OKTA. Please download the OKTA Registration information in order to use the Montana Grants and Loans Portal.

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HOW A NABA ORGANIZATION CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS

Business Counseling Services

Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant Application Assistance

As part of their contract, NABA's online platform directs to the Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant program for fiscal year 2024 funding. The cycle of Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grant is currently closed.

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, a tribal loan program or a 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, which has 10 locations strategically placed across the state.

Capacity Building Activities

Each NABA organization focuses on individual trainings, workshops, classes and professional development 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 listings on visitmt.com
Review "Linking Communities, Tourism & Conservation: A Tourism Assessment Process" (George Washington University)
Native American Made in Montana Producer Enrollment: This 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."

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