Open Call: Community Development Grants (Canada)

Jumpstart National Soccer Initiative offers Community Development Grants to organizations using sport and play to expand opportunities for children and youth across Canada. The grants include two funding streams—Access and Youth Development—focused on reducing barriers to participation and building life, leadership, and employment-related skills. Applications are open for two intakes in 2026–2027 (deadlines listed below). Opportunity at a Glance

- Funding organization: Jumpstart National Soccer Initiative

- Opportunity name: Community Development Grants

- Opportunity type: Grant funding with two funding streams

- Funding streams:

- Access: up to $25,000 per organization request

- Youth Development: up to $75,000 per organization request

- Eligible locations: Across Canada (programs serving children and youth in Canada)

- Primary focus: Sport and play programs that increase participation, reduce barriers, and support positive outcomes for children and youth

- Application status: Applications open for Intake 1 and Intake 2 (see deadlines)

- Intake 1 (Programs starting 1 January 2027–31 December 2027):

- Applications open: 23 September 2026

- Applications close: 20 October 2026 at 11:59 PM EST (8:59 PM PST)

- Funding decisions issued: beginning 11 December 2026

- Intake 2 (Programs starting 1 September 2027–31 December 2027):

- Applications open: 10 March 2027

- Applications close: 7 April 2027 at 11:59 PM EST (8:59 PM PST)

- Funding decisions issued: beginning July/August 2027

- Disbursement (approved grants):

- 70% upon acceptance - 30% upon completion and approval of a Community Impact and Recognition Report

- Reporting requirement: Community Impact and Recognition Report (required for all approved grants)

About the Opportunity

Jumpstart National Soccer Initiative’s Community Development Grants support organizations that use sport and play to increase opportunities, reduce barriers, and create positive outcomes for children and youth across Canada.

The program has two funding streams:

- Access focuses on helping children and youth participate in affordable sport and play by reducing barriers and increasing opportunities for sustained participation. - Youth Development supports programs that intentionally use sport to help children and youth develop life, leadership, and employment-related skills. Funding and Benefits Funding limits by stream

- Access stream: Organizations may request up to $25,000.

- Youth Development stream: Organizations may request up to $75,000.

How funds are disbursed Approved funding is disbursed in two intervals: - 70% upon acceptance. - 30% upon completion and approval of a Community Impact and Recognition Report. What funding may support (stream-specific) - Access: Program delivery and initiatives that prioritize fun, social connection, skill development, belonging, and overall well-being for children and youth. - Youth Development: Programs that use sport to support life, leadership, and employment-related skill development through developmental pathways such as leadership, mentorship, coaching, or employment. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicant organizations To be eligible for a Community Development Grant, applicants must be legally recognized entities eligible to receive charitable funding in Canada, as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Eligible applicants may include: - Registered charities - Registered non-profit organizations or societies - Registered Canadian amateur athletic associations (RCAAAs) - Municipalities and other public bodies performing a function of government in Canada - First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and organizations that meet eligibility requirements - Educational institutions and other qualified donees whose activities align with the purpose of the grant Jumpstart directs applicants to the CRA website for more information on qualified donees and to check organizational eligibility.

Eligibility notes and exclusions

- If an organization is not eligible, the application will not be reviewed. - Jumpstart reserves the right to ask applicants to provide updated organizational information at any point during the grant application, review, or grant term. - If you are unsure about eligibility, Jumpstart encourages reviewing the criteria carefully before applying. General questions can be directed to [contact details removed]. Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Jumpstart reviews whether proposed projects align with each funding stream’s focus areas and outcomes. Access stream focus areas - Understanding participants and community context - Sustained, affordable access and participation - Fun, belonging, and well-being through sport and play - Program quality and participant experience - Organizational readiness and budget Youth Development stream focus areas - Understanding participants and community context - Sustained, affordable access and participation - Life, leadership, and employment-related skill development - Program quality and participant experience - Organizational readiness and budget - Measurement and learning Age ranges mentioned in the source - Access stream: primarily intended to support children and youth up to age 18. Programs may include participants up to age 29 where participation supports access to, or re-engagement in, sport and recreation for individuals facing barriers and aligns with intended outcomes. - Youth Development stream: may support programs serving young people up to age 29, where leadership, mentorship, coaching, employment, or other developmental pathways are a core part of the program. Priority during review Jumpstart prioritizes increasing participation and positive experiences for girls and young women. Why This Opportunity Matters This grant opportunity is designed for organizations that want to use sport and play as a practical tool to remove participation barriers and improve outcomes for children and youth in Canada. By funding both Access (participation and well-being) and