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Application Guidelines - Community Sport for All Initiative

Sport Support Program

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Objectives and expected results for the Sport Support Program

The Sport Support Program (SSP) provides funding to eligible organizations to support the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy [PDF format, 1.3 MB]. The objectives of the SSP are to:

The expected results of the SSP include:

Objectives and expected results for the Community Sport for All Initiative component

The Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI), a component of the SSP, seeks to remove barriers and increase sport participation rates for under-represented groups. Its key objective is to support community sport initiatives for under-represented groups, in particular Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, low-income people, persons with a disability, newcomers and seniors to increase participation and retention in sport.

Sport Canada will prioritize applications with projects focusing on persons with a disability by ensuring at least 20% of the overall CSAI budget is allocated towards activities for this under-represented group.

The CSAI funding is directed at applicant organizations to administer and disburse project funding to community organizations to deliver community sport initiatives that contribute to and align with the objectives of the CSAI.

The expected result of this funding is to:

Funding through this component is community project-based. When determining which community organization(s) and/or community sport initiatives to support, you must adhere to the following principles:

Application deadline

Applications will be accepted until December 23, 2024.

The email must be sent no later than 11:59 p.m. local time on the date of the application deadline for your application to be considered.

Eligibility

We are responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant organization, its project, and project-related expenses.

Meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, your organization must:

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding from the CSAI component, your project must:

Eligible expenses

Only project-related expenses, which can be of cash and in-kind value, are eligible for applicant and community organizations.

Further Distribution of Funds

General administration

Costs related to the administration of the project.

Eligible expenses include:

You may allocate up to 15% of your total Sport Canada funding toward costs associated with administering the project. This also applies to the community organizations’ use of disbursed funds.

Travel, meal and accommodation expenses must comply with the rates permitted for travel on government business.

Salaries, fees and benefits

Costs to employ or contract part-time and full-time staff.

Eligible expenses include:

The CSAI Component’s contribution towards annual staff salaries and expenses is limited to $115,000 for a full-time equivalent annual salary. The contribution limit for part-time positions is prorated against this amount.

Operations and programming

Costs associated with the planning and/or delivery of your project.

Eligible expenses include:

The following expenses are not eligible:

Only cash expenses are eligible, these may include the eligible expenses listed above.

We cannot fund expenses incurred before fiscal year 2024–25. If you incur expenses for your project before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

In-kind Contribution

In-kind contributions are considered real contributions to the cost of the proposed project but are not reimbursable. Donated goods and services may be considered in-kind contributions if they:

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your project, we encourage you to have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your organization, the private sector or other levels of government.

The total financial assistance received from the CSAI component and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 100% of your total project-related expenditures.

Applying for more than 12 months

There will be only one application submission date for the CSAI component. You may request funding for a single year (2024-25 or 2025-26) or two years (2024-25 and 2025-26). Your project cannot span more than 24 months. If the duration of your project exceeds 12 months, you must then show that there is a need for a multi-year commitment and that you have the capacity to complete the project. This is demonstrated with a realistic project timeline and budget projections as well as sound governance.

How to apply

Read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.

You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package for your project to be considered for funding.

A complete application package includes the Application Form and the following required documents:

Application process

The email must be sent no later than 11:59 p.m. local time on the date of the application deadline for your application to be considered.

Should you be unable to send by email, please contact us.

How applications are evaluated

We fund projects that have clear objectives and measurable results. Funding decisions are based on the number and quality of applications received. Your application will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria below.

Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project will be considered in the evaluation of your new application and could result in a rejection of your new application.

Evaluation Criteria

  1. Organizational Capacity
    1. the experience and capacity of your organization to manage the activities described within the application, to achieve the desired results, and to complete the project(s) in a timely manner;
    2. the capacity to deliver funding to multiple community-level organizations in multiple jurisdictions, within all five regions of Canada;
    3. the capacity to deliver in both official languages;
    4. the network or experience to engage under-represented groups in the planning and implementation of community sport initiatives to address the barriers to their participation and retention in sport;
    5. the overall understanding or the ability to identify and understand the barriers currently facing under-represented group(s) and how the community sport initiatives will address them, and the relevance of the proposed target under-represented group(s) or geographic location(s); and
    6. any identified partnerships are appropriate and sufficient to support the project.
  2. Project Information
    1. the project objectives are clear, realistic and achievable;
    2. the project key activities are coherent, logical and feasible, and align with the project objectives and CSAI Component expected results and principles; and
    3. the project timelines are clear and feasible.
  3. Budget
    1. the funding costs are reasonable and details support the project description;
    2. the budget clearly identifies the funding amount requested by funding category;
    3. the budget provides the information required to properly assess amount requested; and
    4. the funding request is appropriate to support the proposed project with demonstrated value for money.
  4. Performance Measurement and Evaluation
    1. the measurable outcomes for the project are identified and are directly linked to the funding program objective, expected results and principles; and
    2. a performance measurement and evaluation plan that identifies indicators and data collection methods that are relevant and capture the information needed to monitor and evaluate the results of the project funding objectives and measurable outcomes.

Application processing time

Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs or contact the program.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within two weeks of receiving your application in our office.

Funding decisions

We reserve the right to target our funding to specific projects. Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

How funding is provided

We provide funding in the form of a contribution.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued to your organization for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The funding agreement is signed by your organization and by us and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final report.

Funding conditions

To receive our funding, you must comply with the mandatory conditions described below.

You may be required to submit interim reports during your project. If you receive $250,000 or more as a contribution, you are required to submit audited financial statements or an audited financial report depending on the type of funding you received. The requirement applicable to your type of funding will be included in your contribution agreement.

If your organization receives support from us, you must:

For more information, read about Canada’s sports policies, acts and regulations.

Additional conditions may be included in your funding agreement.

Anti-racism and anti-hate

Canadian Heritage is committed to address systemic racism, promote diversity, and create environments where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. We strive to challenge discriminatory beliefs and practices, cultivate understanding and empathy, and champion policies and programs that advance equality for all.

Organizations receiving funding, including any representatives whether employees, consultants, or other persons directly affiliated with the organization, must take steps to ensure they respect the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.

Workplace well-being

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Public health guidance

We expect that you will act in compliance with applicable statutes, laws, bylaws, regulations, orders, codes, standards, directives and guidelines governing the activities for which funding is being sought, including those related to public health and safety.

Official languages requirements

We are committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and to promote the use of English and French in Canadian society. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the official languages requirements set out in your application and in your funding agreement.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance

If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement.

For additional information, please refer to our Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support.

Access to information requests

We are subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these Acts.

Disclosure of information

By submitting your funding application, you authorize us to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes:

Audits of recipients and evaluation of the Program

We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement. We also conduct periodic Program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation.

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform an audit or evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Sport Support Program – Sport Canada
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B3

Email
sportcommunautaire-communitysport@pch.gc.ca
Telephone
819-997-0055
1-866-811-0055 (toll-free)
TTY
1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST).

Glossary

2SLGBTQI+
Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexual and people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities.
Applicant organization
Organization applying for funding under the Community Sport for All Initiative Component of the Sport Support Program. Responsible for the administration and management of program funding disbursement to community organizations, and preparation of financial and reporting documentation required to be compliant with the Community Sport for All Initiative Component funding agreement.
Audited financial report
An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period regarding the project and is prepared by a certified accountant who is not part of your organization.
Cash flow
A presentation of all anticipated revenues and planned expenses that will occur over the length of your project. At the beginning of your project, your cash flow will only have forecasted revenues and expenses. Over time, your cash flow will be updated to reflect the actual revenues and expenses.
Community organization(s)

Community organizations are selected by the applicant organization to develop, administer, implement, monitor and report on community sport initiatives that will address the barriers to participation and retention of sport facing identified under-represented groups. Eligible ultimate recipients must be non-governmental not-for-profit community-level organizations that deliver within their community.

Non-eligible community organizations (ultimate recipients) include, but are not limited to:

  • municipalities and/or other levels of governments;
  • schools (including universities, colleges, elementary and high schools);
  • provincial-level organizations and Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs) that are affiliated to National Sport Organizations (NSOs); and
  • national-level organizations.

Exceptions for municipalities and schools that serve communities in northern and remote regions (including Indigenous) can be considered upon the condition that you, the initial recipient, attests, in writing, that these municipalities also serve as the community organization.

Community organizations can establish partnerships with the organizations listed above due to resource/capacity issues (e.g., rent out their facilities to deliver activities to the community). The funding must be disbursed to/retained by the ultimate recipient. The name of both the community organization and partnering organization must be provided in project reporting to Sport Canada.

Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI)
Component of the Sport Support Program that funds eligible organizations (initial recipients) that will undertake activities to manage projects through further distribution of a contribution to community organizations (ultimate recipients) to deliver community sport initiatives that will address the barriers to participation and retention of sport facing identified under-represented groups.
Community sport initiative(s)
Project initiatives developed by community organizations (ultimate recipients) to address the barriers to participation and retention of sport facing identified under-represented groups.
Final financial report
A final financial report includes, as separate items, the budget as well as all of the revenues realized and expenditures incurred for the given period with regard to the project being funded.
Final report
A final report is submitted at the end of your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.
Financial statements
A complete set of financial statements, including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Financial statements may be audited or unaudited.
Interim reports
Interim reports are submitted during your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. These reports indicate the results of the activities undertaken for a specific period. In addition, they include a status report on the work to be accomplished and updated revenue and expense reports.
Multiple jurisdictions

Multiple jurisdictions means national-level organizations have the scope and capacity to deliver projects/programming in all five regions, but not specifically in each province/territory within the regions:

  1. Atlantic (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick)
  2. Central Canada (Quebec and Ontario)
  3. Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta)
  4. West (British Columbia)
  5. North (Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut)
Official-language minority communities
The official-language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.
Organized sport
Organized sport is defined as structured physical activity involving rules and organized on a regular basis by a club, league, recreation department or volunteers, where participants can acquire basic movement and technical skills from qualified instructors in a safe and welcoming environment.
Remote communities
A community with a population less than 50,000, which is located more than 200 km from either an urban centre with a population over 100,000, or provincial/territorial capital.
Rural communities
A community with a population of less than 50,000, which is located between 50km to 200km from an urban centre with a population over 100,000.
Under-represented groups
Under-represented individuals and groups are defined as those facing significant barriers to participation in different facets of society, primarily due to policies and practices that produce inequitable treatment. This marginalization could be created by attitudinal, historic, social, economic, legal and/or environmental obstacles, based on such factors as age, ethnicity, disability, economic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and transgender status.

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2024-11-14