The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps American start, build, and grow small businesses, in every part of the country. SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) offers small business development assistance and resources to Native entrepreneurs. Both SBA and ONAA have a wide variety of resources about small business development generally and about the specific concerns of Native entrepreneurs and Native-owned businesses.
CDFIs
The US Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund program provides financial support to American Indian and Alaska Native people and communities.
If you’re a business owner or an entrepreneur who is looking for financial support, your local CDFI can be a great resource to help you along your journey.
Community Navigators
The Native Small Business Administration program has expanded under the American Rescue Plan initiative by adding Community Navigators. The program is meant to support entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, such as American Indian and Alaska Native business owners, by providing an expert in the process of leveraging SBA resources.
Resource Talks
Join us for a 5-part series starting with "How and why to get an SBA loan."
Native- and Tribal-Specific Business Resources
Native American Owned Businesses
Resources for Native-owned businesses collected by SBA, including technical assistance and additional resources.
Office of Native American Affairs
SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) ensures that American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian business owners and entrepreneurs have full access to business development and expansion tools through SBA’s entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs.
Technical Assistance Centers for Native American Businesses
Native Business Center
The Native Business Center is passionate about linking native-owned small business with training, technical assistance, up-to-date small business information and resources specifically for Native American business owners.
Native Business Technical Assistance Centers
ONAA offers free technical assistance to Native entrepreneurs and business owners through seven centers located across the country, including one located in Hawaii serving Native Hawaiian-owned businesses.
Native Business Alliances
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
ATNI is a nonprofit organization representing 57 Northwest tribal governments from Oregon, Idaho, Washington, southeast Alaska, Northern California and Western Montana.
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation
ATNI-EDC has a mission to provide financial and technical assistance in the areas of community and economic development to the 57 ATNI Member Tribes and their tribal members.
Native American Contractors Association
A national advocacy and resource organization that advocates for the rights of Native enterprises in government contracting, as well as providing resources for member organizations.
Native Learning Center
The Native Learning Center (NLC) offers free Training and Technical Assistance to Native Americans and those working within Indian Country. The Native Learning Center develops curriculum that achieves the primary objectives of NAHASDA supports the EWONAP’s mission of promoting the development of Native housing and housing related activities.
The Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
A national nonprofit organization that has assisted tribes and tribal enterprises with economic development for over 40 years. NCAIED seeks to grow and develop the American Indian private sector across the country.
United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)
An inter-tribal organization of member tribal nations in the eastern and southern United States, dedicated to improving tribal government capacity and economic development.
General Business Resources
8(a) Business Development Program
The 8(a) Business Development Program is a program for specially qualified businesses that are small, socially or economically disadvantages, or Native-American owned. A Native-owned business can choose to apply to this program as a business development strategy.
Certified Development Company
Certified Development Companies (CDCs) are nonprofit corporations certified and regulated by SBA that work with participating lenders to provide financing to small businesses. There are 243 CDCs nationwide, each covering a specific geographic area. Find one near you.
Disaster Field Office
The Office of Disaster Assistance provides low-interest disaster loans to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. There are two offices: Disaster Field Operations Center – East (FOCE) and Disaster Field Operations Center – West (FOCW).
Office of Small Business Development Centers
The Office of Small Business Development Centers provides funding, oversight, and support for the nationwide network of 862 Small Business Development Centers.
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)
The nationwide Procurement Technical Assistance Program has 94 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)—with over 300 local offices—that that help local businesses compete successfully in the government marketplace. Connect with your local PTAC to learn more about government contracting.
Regional Innovation Clusters
The SBA has 14 Regional Innovation Clusters across the country that focus specifically on rural business development. Explore the regional innovation clusters nearest you.
SBA District Offices
These 68 district offices offer business development services and training to help small business start and grow.
SBA Learning Center
SBA’s Learning Center offers scores of online video courses on all aspects of business management, suitable for entrepreneurs of all types. Course categories include: planning, launching, managing, and growing your new business.
SBA Regional Offices
There are 10 SBA regions across the country. Find your region and your SBA regional advocate here.
SCORE
SCORE is a nonprofit organization whose members provide free consultation services to entrepreneurs. The organization operates more than 300 chapters throughout the United States and offers its services in-person or online.
SMB Guide
The team at SMB Guide is a diverse group of small business owners, software enthusiasts, and productivity experts. With our shared love for the SaaS industry, we our dedicated to helping others automate and increase their efficiency for their businesses.
U.S. Export Assistance Center
There are 111 U.S. Export Assistance Centers that provide export assistance for small- or medium-sized businesses, helping them compete in today’s global marketplace.
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA is dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s go-to resource and voice for small businesses.
Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs)
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program provides entrepreneurial development services to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. There are 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as VBOCs.
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs)
SBA Women’s Business Centers are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to women entrepreneurs. Find a nearby WBC for more assistance.