Your Community matters
Help Your Community & Youth
Dream Bigger
Every Young Person Deserves The Chance To Discover What They're Capable Of
Your community has young people with incredible ideas, talents and potential. Sometimes, all they need is the space and framework to discover what they’re capable of and begin believing in themselves.
The Indigenous Future-Ready Education Grant was created to help provide that space and step by step guidance.
Your community can receive 2 years of free, unlimited access to an engaging, real-world learning experience that helps Indigenous youth, ages 7-15, build confidence, strengthen their leadership & resiliency, think creatively and develop the mindset to create opportunities for themselves and their community.
Created in partnership with Bears’ Lair Dream Camps, and featuring Indigenous youth throughout the program, this is more than an online course or workbook.
It’s a dynamic and action oriented learning experience designed to celebrate youth and their potential so they can see a future filled with possibilities.
Grant Overview
The Indigenous Future-Ready Education Grant provides approved Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada with 2 years of free, unlimited access to the Launch Your Business Youth Entrepreneur Program.
The grant is designed to help Indigenous youth ages 7-15 build confidence, develop future-ready skills and discover what they’re capable of through engaging, real-world learning experiences.
What You Receive
Your community will receive 2 years of unlimited access to register Indigenous youth into the program.
Every youth who registers during your grant period receives lifetime access, even after your community’s grant has ended. You’ll also receive physical and digital registration cards, ongoing program updates, support from the BizKids team, and invitations to future youth opportunities and special events when available.
Eligibility
You may apply if you are a First Nation, Métis or Inuit community, Indigenous government, Indigenous school, Friendship Centre, Indigenous-led charity or non-profit organization, or another Indigenous organization serving youth in Canada.
Your community or organization should serve youth between the ages of 7-15 who can benefit from the program.
Application
The application takes approximately 6-12 minutes to complete.
Applications must be submitted by an authorized representative of your Nation, community or organization.
Annual Requirements
Your role is simple: make the program available to your youth and encourage them to participate.
Throughout the grant period, the BizKids team will check in from time to time to see how things are going and how we can better support your youth and community. We also welcome your feedback, success stories, photos and videos that may help inspire other Indigenous youth across Canada.
Renewal
Communities where youth are actively participating in the program will be placed on our priority renewal list.
As new funding becomes available, your community’s access may be renewed without needing to complete a new application.
Program Use
BizKids programming is provided exclusively for your approved Nation, school or organization.
The program may not be shared, distributed or used by third parties without written permission from Build a Biz Kids. All content is copyright © BizKids Practical Education ASSN 2026.
Important Dates
Grant Opens
September 1, 2026
Application Deadline
December 12, 2026
Application Reviews Begin
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Depending on available funding, you can generally expect a response within 3-12 weeks. If we need any additional information, we’ll contact you directly.
Questions?
Have questions about the Indigenous Future-Ready Education Grant?
We’re always happy to help. Contact us anytime at info@buildabizkids.com.
Not an Indigenous organization?
If you’re a Canadian public school, registered charity, non-profit organization or public library, you may be eligible for the Canadian Future-Ready Education Grant (CFREG) instead. Learn more and apply through the CFREG page.
Questions You May Have Left Unanswered
How Do We Run The Program?
You can run the program in a group led by a community leader, or each youth can take the program independently, at their own pace.
Every lesson is fully video-guided, making it easy to guide a group of youth through the activities together. Youth who are unable to attend a group program, or who simply prefer learning on their own, can also complete the program independently while enjoying the same learning experience.
Many communities choose to offer both options, making it easier for more youth to participate.
What Age Is This Designed For?
The program is designed specifically for Indigenous youth ages 7-15.
While the entrepreneurial principles taught in the program apply at any age, the activities, videos and learning experience were created to be engaging and age-appropriate for youth between 7 and 15 years
How Long Is The Program?
The program includes 13 guided lessons and is typically completed over 4-8 weeks.
We recommend completing one or two lessons each week, giving youth time to apply what they’re learning, work on their business ideas and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. Every youth learns at their own pace, so they can take more or less time if needed.
What Do Youth Receive When They Complete The Course?
Every youth who completes the program receives a Graduation Certificate and a Letter of Reference.
Their Letter of Reference highlights the skills they developed throughout the program, such as leadership, creativity, communication, problem-solving and initiative. It can be used to support future job applications, volunteer opportunities and other programs they apply for.
Will Students Lose Access After 2 Years If We Are Not Renewed?
No. Once a youth registers for the program, their access never expires.
Your community receives 2 years of unlimited registrations, allowing you to enrol as many eligible youth as you’d like during your grant period. After the two years, no new youth can be registered unless your grant is renewed, but every youth who has already joined will continue to have lifetime access to the program.
What Materials Or Equipment Are Needed For The Program?
The materials needed depend on how your community chooses to run the program.
If youth are completing the program independently, each participant will need access to a computer, tablet or laptop with an internet connection. If you’re running the program as a group, only the community leader needs a computer connected to a TV or screen to play the lessons, while youth can complete their worksheets digitally or on printed copies.
As part of the program, every youth will launch a real business. Depending on the business they choose to create, they may need materials such as craft supplies, ingredients or other items to make their products.
Stronger Together
The Indigenous Future-Ready Education Grant brings together organizations that share one goal: creating more opportunities for Indigenous youth.
The Launch Your Business program was developed in partnership with Bears’ Lair Dream Camps and Geena Jackson, with guidance from Indigenous leaders and youth. Together, we’ve created a learning experience that helps young people build confidence, strengthen future-ready skills and believe in what’s possible for their future.
Build a Biz Kids has spent years developing engaging, future-ready learning experiences that help young people build confidence, strengthen leadership skills and discover what they’re capable of through real-world learning.
Bears’ Lair Dream Camps has inspired thousands of Indigenous youth by creating experiences that celebrate culture, leadership, entrepreneurship and possibility. Their deep relationships with Indigenous communities and their understanding of what inspires young people helped shape this learning experience from the beginning.
With support from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, we’re proud to provide this opportunity to Indigenous communities across Canada and help even more young people discover their strengths, believe in themselves and dream bigger.
THANK YOU
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