Grant Funding in Community Sport

When community sport organizations have access to grant funding, there is greater opportunity to achieve financial sustainability and, in turn, continue to offer high quality sport experience for the community.

In a report released by the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities in March of 2021, the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the state of sport are clear. It was reported that nearly one third of sport organizations are bankrupt or approaching bankruptcy. It was also reported that 52% of organizations are concerned about the permanent closure of their organization because of the ongoing challenges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report highlights the significant concerns among sport organizations about the future of community sport in Canada. Given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that community sport organizations find way to increase financial sustainability for the future.

So, how can grant funding help? Grant funding is an opportunity for community sport organizations to increase financial viability without increasing participant registration costs which can often be a barrier  to participation for marginalized communities.

Finding and completing grant applications is not always easy. It is important that community sport organizations find the right funding opportunities and submit high-quality applications to maximize their opportunity to receive funding.

Grant funding opportunities exist for both individual athletes and community sport organizations. Grant funding and bursaries for individual athletes remove or reduce barriers based on costs for individuals to be able to participate. Grant funding for community sport organizations is tied to overall program delivery benefitting a group of participants.

Here are some tips on how to increase your opportunity for a successful grant application: 

Find Grant Funding that Aligns with Your Organization

When seeking funding, a critical research component is determining whether the core purpose of your organization’s programs is aligned to that of the grant funding. Grant funding will often include a specific goal or purpose statement. Consider how the core purpose of your program fits into that purpose statement.

Create Clarity regarding Use of Funds

When submitting a grant application, it is critical that organizations outline exactly how the funding will be used to support their programs. The more details you can provide the better. Generalized statements are not likely to instill confidence in the funder that your organization has a plan to spend the funding appropriately to achieve your goals. Often, the application will ask for a budget for the requested funding. Take the time to research and draft a budget that is feasible for your organization.

Be Concise and Use Simple Language

Grant applications are often limited to a small word count to answer questions. This requires organizations to be concise in explaining their programming, its purpose, and how funding will be used. By using simple and concise language, funders are likely to have a clear understanding of the request which increase the likelihood of success.

Here are some potential grant funding opportunities for community sport organizations:

Current Opportunity: The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation 2022 True Sport Community Grant

The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation 2022 True Sport Community Grant is accepting applications between January 10 and February 24, 2022. This grant supports programs which provide inclusivity for those who face barriers to participation in sport including but not limited to those who face social, economic, or racial barriers, and underrepresented and marginalized populations.

In 2021, the Nepean Sailing Club’s Able Sail Program was one of the recipients of the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation True Sport Community Grant. We asked NSC what the funding meant to them, and here is what Michele had to say: “The impact of COVID-19 on our Able Sail community, in 2020, was devastating.  The 2021 grant funding, which was used, in part, to extend our outdoor classroom capacity, was key to our recovery!  In 2021 our Able Sail “Learn to Sail” Program was over-subscribed, and we have already started registration for 2022.  The grant funding has help to enable NSC to expand their capacity to offer sailing instruction to the physically disabled community in Ottawa.”

The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation: 2022 True Sport Community Grant is offered in partnership by the Ottawa Sport Council, the True Sport Foundation, and the Ottawa Community Foundation. The grant offers up to $1,500 per program. Click here to learn more.