Indigenous Growth Fund

Did you know that by the end of 2023, the IGF committed $82.3 million in capital to 7 Indigenous Financial Institutions? The IFI’s included in this amount of Capital committed last year include Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC), Tale'awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corp. (TACC), NADF Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund, Rainy Lake Tribal Area Business & Financial Services Corporation (RLTABFSC), SOCCA - Société de crédit commercial autochtone, All Nations Trust Co (ANTCO), and Ulnooweg Development Group (UDGI). #IndigenousProsperity #EconomicReconciliation #IndigenousGrowthFund #IndigenousFinancialInstitutions

As 2024 comes to a close, the Indigenous Growth Fund would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a safe, happy, and peaceful holiday season. We are so grateful for all of the continued support and partnership throughout this last year. Together, we’ve made meaningful progress, and we look forward to building on this momentum in 2025. May this season bring you rest, joy, and connection, and may the year ahead be filled with growth, opportunity, and success. Happy holidays!

Meet Zoey, our Communications and Marketing Student from Ottawa! Zoey is a fourth-year student studying Communications and Media at Carleton University, in Ottawa Ontario. On her maternal side, Zoey is Kanien’keha:ka, more known as the Mohawk People of the Bay of Quinte, coming from Tyendinaga Territory. Zoey is an avid chai latte enthusiast and a lover of all things outdoors! #MeetTheTeam #IndigenousGrowthFund #Ottawa

Meet Sarah, our Senior Manager in Strategic Partnerships & Investor Relations from Ottawa! Fueled by coffee, Sarah leads strategic partnerships, investor relations, governance, and communications for the IGF. She first joined NACCA to develop and administer its first grant program readying IFIs to access more capital. The IGF is the second Fund Sarah has worked in from start-up, having previously worked with the Community Forward Fund Assistance Corp, the first non-profit securities registered Fund Manager in Canada, where she spent 7 years. #IndigenousGrowthFund #MeetTheTeam #Ottawa

Meet Sarah, our Senior Manager in Strategic Partnerships & Investor Relations from Ottawa! Fueled by coffee, Sarah leads strategic partnerships, investor relations, governance, and communications for the IGF. She first joined NACCA to develop and administer its first grant program readying IFIs to access more capital. The IGF is the second Fund Sarah has worked in from start-up, having previously worked with the Community Forward Fund Assistance Corp, the first non-profit securities registered Fund Manager in Canada, where she spent 7 years. #IndigenousGrowthFund #MeetTheTeam #Ottawa

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute for showcasing the Indigenous Growth Fund during the Innovative Finance Spotlight virtual panel as part of the #ASFISummit24. Moderated by Tiarne Shutt, IGF's Managing Director Frank Richter and a member of IGF's Investment Committee, Helen Bobiwash, FCPA, FCMA, CAFM, GCB.D, CCB.D, ICD.D were eager to share how IGF is acting as a tool to unlock the Indigenous economy in Canada. ASFI's commitment to promoting sustainable finance and supporting Indigenous initiatives in Australia is truly commendable! We appreciate the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions and share our vision for advancing economic reconciliation and we're looking forward to future collaboration. 

Meet Frank, our Managing Director from Ottawa! Frank leads the team that turned the IGF from concept to reality, leveraging over 10 years of experience in finance and both public and the nonprofit sectors. He collaborated with BDC and the Government of Canada to structure the IGF, an institutional-grade fund designed to bring new sources of capital for commercial lending by #IndigenousFinancialInstitutions. Prior to working on the IGF, Frank worked on various strategic initiatives at NACCA and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, finance, and economic policy. #IndigenousGrowthFund #MeetTheTeam #Ottawa

As part of the #ASFISummit24, Frank Richter and Helen Bobiwash, FCPA, FCMA, CAFM, GCB.D, CCB.D, ICD.D have pre-recorded a virtual panel with Tiarne Shutt, showcasing the IGF as an example of an option for access to capital for Indigenous business. The session will air during the summit in Sydney, Australia on October 31st. We are wishing our Australian counterparts a wonderful conference, and look forward to continued sharing and collaboration.

Meet Erin, our Credit Risk & IFI Capacity Manager from Whitehorse, YT! With over 20 years in commercial and developmental lending in the North, Erin has expertise in managing commercial accounts, credit adjudication, and loan authorizations, including with Indigenous clients. At the IGF, he developed lending policies and managed the underwriting of the first IFI applications. Erin is a CPA, CMA, and is completing his Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager designation with AFOA Canada. In his free time, Erin embraces the outdoor lifestyle that the North has to offer. #IndigenousGrowthFund #MeetTheTeam #Whitehorse

Meet Lisa, our Senior Accountant! Lisa oversees financial operations and reporting for the IGF. With over 20 years of experience in finance and administration within the investment fund sector, she has worked with various fund structures and sizes. As CFO with a venture capital firm she has worked through all stages of fund development from launch to consolidation to wind down. In her spare time, she enjoys all things outdoors, be it epic hikes in far away lands or watching the squirrels destroy her vegetable garden. #IndigenousGrowthFund #MeetTheTeam #Toronto