Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Jumpstart funding process work?

The Jumpstart Individual Child Grant application (the “Application”) is an online application that a parent/guardian can use to submit a request for funding to Jumpstart on behalf of their child/children. The following are a list of participants as they relate to the Application:

Parents/Guardians: parents/guardians are able to submit an application through the Jumpstart grant system for funding on behalf of their child/children.
Collaborators: Jumpstart understands that in some cases parents/guardians may need support to help complete their application. During the application process, the parent/guardian can identify a collaborator to assist them with their application. The collaborator may be a family member, support worker, a representative from a service organization, or any other individual whom the parent/guardian identifies in the application.
Jumpstart: A Jumpstart relationship manager will review and verify all applications for funding. If an application for funding is approved, the approved funding amount will be delivered by Jumpstart to the service organization (as defined below).
Service Organization/Payee: The “Service Organization”, or “Payee”, is the registered business, non-profit, or charitable organization running the sport or physical activity program.

What do I do once I have been approved?

Upon approval of funding, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to:

Work directly with the service organization to ensure a spot is available for their child/children in a program; and
Notify Jumpstart as soon as possible in the event that a child stops attending a program, moves to another program, or if a program is full or cancelled. In such circumstances, the parent/guardian must work directly with the service organization to arrange for a refund to be sent back to Jumpstart before a new application is made for additional funding. A child will not be eligible to receive additional funding if they have already reached the maximum amount of funding, even if the child did not attend the program, until a refund is received by Jumpstart.

Can I apply for a program that is not physical activity or sport?

No, Jumpstart funds activities that meet our core purpose, which is to remove barriers for children from families in financial need to participate in sport and play.

How do I apply for Jumpstart funding?

If you have not already created an account, please visit the Individual Child Grant page and click the 'apply' button. Once the registration process is complete you will have the ability to create a new grant request and apply for funding assistance. If you already have an account, please log in using your email and password.

I don’t qualify under LICO but have an extenuating circumstance. What do I do?

Please fill out the “extenuating circumstances” section of the Jumpstart application and attach supporting documentation. If there are further questions about your situation/application, a Jumpstart regional manager will be in contact with you to review your application.

I know a child whose family can’t afford to pay for sports or physical activity programming. Can I apply for funding for the child on behalf of the family?

Unfortunately not. Only parents or guardians can apply for funding for their children directly. However, you can always direct families to our website to apply. If they're hesitant to share their financial information, you can reassure them that their information will be kept confidential.

Once I apply for funding, does that mean my child is registered in the sport/activity?

No. It is the parent's responsibility to work directly with the service organization to ensure a spot is available for their child.

How long does it take to process an application?

Typically between 6 to 8 weeks, however, if the organization receiving the cheque on behalf of the child is new to Jumpstart, it could take longer.

Can I request funding for two seasons in a row for my child?

Yes. We can fund successive seasons up to a maximum of $600 annually, subject to chapter discretion and/or local demands.

What activities does Jumpstart fund?

Jumpstart funds over 70 different activities. For a full listing of the activities we fund, please click here.

My son/daughter is in a select/rep/elite league. Can he/she still receive funding?

While we typically only support enrollment in house league sports and programming, exceptions can be made at the discretion of the chapter and/or Jumpstart Relationship Manager.

I am having difficulty uploading my documentation in the Individual Child grant application.

If you are having difficulty uploading financial details, please try taking a picture with your phone and upload the picture. Please ensure the information in the documents is viewable or your application will be declined. You should also ensure that the cache and cookies are cleared and the browser you are using is up to date.

We recommend clearing your browser history, cache, and cookies it normally addresses the issue. Open your web browser and go into “Setting” or press and hold CTRL, SHIFT, DELETE (together) and remove your history at which point you should be able to apply online.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Clear browser history
Clear cache
Clear cookies
Restart browser
If steps 1-4 don't work, restart your computer

Does my program have to be new?

No. You can apply for a new or existing program.

I run a drop-in program. Can I still apply?

No. Drop-in programs don't meet our requirements.

My program has already started. Can I still apply for funding?

Unfortunately not. You are not eligible for funding if your program has already started.

Can I still apply if I miss the deadline?

Unfortunately not. Please review the application deadlines on the Community Development Grant page.

How are funds being allocated?

Funds will be allocated in the form of grants to eligible organizations who demonstrate the greatest potential impact, including existing and first-time grant recipients.

Each application is reviewed and scored using a framework that was developed in consultation with a panel of industry experts. All eligible applications will be evaluated and prioritized using an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion score based on the efforts made to address systemic barriers to sport and recreation in the following communities:

Families in financial need;
Children with disabilities;

With a further focus on communities facing intersecting barriers to access:

BIPOC children and youth, and
Girls and young women.

Will the funds be evenly distributed throughout Canada?

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities will evaluate each application on its merits and allocate funding accordingly. The objective is to fund projects across Canada.

How much funding can organizations request?

Jumpstart anticipates grants could range anywhere between $1,000 to more than $100,000 depending on need and program scope. Please reach out to your Regional Manager or email jumpstart@cantire.com if you have questions about funding request amounts.

When will community organizations receive their funding?

Prospective applicants are asked to review the Community Development Grant page to determine when to apply based on the timing of their programs and activities. Notification will be based on the planned start of programs and activities.

My program ended up costing more than I indicated in my application. Can I get more money?

Unfortunately not.

Why are applicants to Jumpstart’s Community Development Grant declined?

Jumpstart’s Community Development Grant is open to eligible organizations who demonstrate the greatest potential impact, including existing and first-time grant recipients. While we strive to take all applications into consideration, given the record demand for Community Development Grant funding we are experiencing, applications from qualified donees may be declined based on scoring. Further, we will decline applications that do not meet eligibility requirements.

What happens if I don’t submit a Community Impact and Recognition Report?

Organizations who do not submit this report will be deemed in breach of the Grant Recipient Terms and Conditions and may be required to return program-related funds to Jumpstart.

How does the nomination process work?

The Community Champion Award follows a nomination-based application process. Individuals cannot nominate themselves. The Nominator can be any individual who is interested in nominating someone who meets the required criteria.

Do I have to personally know the nominee to submit a nomination?

No. However, the Nominator must be able to provide information about the Nominee and demonstrate an understanding of their alignment with the evaluation criteria.

Can I nominate anyone?

Yes. Although, the Nominee must have demonstrated leadership and made a defining contribution to community sport in Canada, focused on enhancing affordable access to sport for children and youth who may otherwise be excluded or marginalized. Please see the ‘Eligibility’ section on the Community Champion Award page for more information.

How can I submit a nomination?

Nominations will be accepted online via Jumpstart’s grant application portal. If you require any accommodations to complete this nomination form or participate in the nomination process, please contact us at jumpstart@cantire.com. We are happy to provide support to ensure everyone can fully participate.

When can I submit a nomination?

The application portal opens on November 17th, 2025. The application window closes on January 31st, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST.

How will I know that my nomination has been received?

All Nominators will receive confirmation of receipt of the nomination submission via email. Please ensure that contact information is clearly indicated in the application.

Can nominations be updated?

Nominations cannot be updated after the deadline of January 31, 2026. If you would like to update a submitted application prior to the deadline, please reach out to your Relationship Manager. However, please note that it may not be possible to facilitate a request to update an application that was submitted close to the deadline.

As a Nominator, do I need to submit a new application each year for the same Nominee?

Yes. Nominations for the same individual will need to be re-submitted each year.

Who will review the nominations?

A bi-organizational selection committee, comprising representatives from Jumpstart, Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame, and respected community sport leaders, will review nominations and select recipients using a co-developed rubric.

Can I contact Jumpstart, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame or the Selection Committee members to provide them more information on a nominee or to speak with them about the nomination process?

No. All information about the nomination should be submitted through the online grant portal. If you require any accommodations to complete this nomination form or participate in the nomination process, please contact jumpstart@cantire.com. We are happy to provide support to ensure everyone can fully participate.

What is Play to Lead?

At Jumpstart we know that gender equity builds better sport. We also know that girls’ participation in sports now sets them up for success later in life (Ernst & Young, 2020). However, 62% of Canadian girls are not participating in any kind of sport, and girls drop out of sport at more than triple the rate of boys the same age (CWS, 2020).

That’s why Jumpstart created the Play to Lead (PTL) Program: a leadership program for high-school aged girls that supports them in reaching their full potential as leaders in, and through, sport.

The Play to Lead program consists of three phases of program delivery including:

An in-person Summit;
A series of interactive online sessions; and
An outlet for continued alumni engagement and connection

Each phase of the program will focus on the introduction and development of 8 key leadership skills fostered through training, hands-on experiences and access to a vast network of mentors.

What is the cost to participate in the Play to program?

There is no cost to participate. Your acceptance to the program includes all costs associated with: hotel accommodations, meals, transportation, online programming; equipment and accessories to complete fun challenges.

How was the Play to Lead program developed?

The Play to Lead program was designed using gender-specific evidence, research and consultation derived from young women and girls, the University of Calgary, and partners including Canadian Women and Sport.

Who is eligible to apply?

Girls and their coaches who are actively engaged in sport and recreation are eligible to apply. We know that gender equity builds better sport, and to support this, the Play to Lead program is open to girls of all gender expressions including those who are non-binary. See below for the specific eligibility requirements.

Participants

Girls, between the ages of 14-17.

Coaches

18 years or older
Actively engaged with a sport organization in a leadership capacity or coach on a school team.

Does my coach need to be a woman?

No. All coaches, teachers and mentors that meet the eligibility criteria are welcomed to support participants throughout the program.

How many participants is a coach able to support in the Play to Lead program?

Coaches are able to support up to 5 participants in the Play to Lead program, and are required to confirm the names of the athletes they will support in order for each athlete to be eligible.

The program team is working to maintain a 5:1, participant to coach ratio in order to ensure each individual participant is receiving the attention and support they need throughout the program.

If coaches have identified a larger group of athletes who are interested in participating in the program outside of the 5:1 ratio, please contact the Play to Lead team directly at PlayToLead@cantire.com to explore opportunities for increase coach engagement and support for the group.

What is the role of the coach in the Play to Lead program?

We recognize that each coach plays an important role in supporting the leadership development and athletic journey for their athlete(s). Additionally, research shows that “coaches [...] play a critical role in defining girls’ experiences in sport” (CWS, 2022). With this in mind, the Play to Lead program engages coaches as mentors and provides dedicated training that enhances the capacity of coaches to support their athletes in putting their leadership skills into practice.

While there is not just one way for the involvement of coaches to look in the Play to Lead program, a few examples of coach responsibilities include: participation in coach-focused workshops and supervision at the in-person Summit; regular mentorship check-ins with participants over the course of the school year; assisting participants with post-summit “challenges”; and supporting the implementation of the participants’ skills within your team/school environment.

By leveraging coaches as the mentors for athletes throughout the program, we are unlocking their potential to mentor and support athletes, driving sustainable change within their community.

Would I still be able to participate if my coach is not able to participate?

Play to Lead will only be accepting athletes accompanied by coaches based on the 5:1 ratio (see question #6 for details).

How do I apply?

More information for the 2026-2027 program year coming soon.

Why does the application ask for information about gender, race, ethnicity, and disability?

Jumpstart is committed to ensuring that equity is central to our programming. The collection of information related to gender, race, ethnicity and disability helps us ensure that participants with a variety of lived experiences and identities are able to participate in the program. The information also provides Jumpstart with feedback so that we can improve our program outreach to ensure we are creating opportunities for youth from underrepresented communities.

The information you share will only be used internally at Jumpstart.

I have accessibility needs that may affect my participation in the program, how will this be addressed?

Jumpstart is committed to the principles of accessible customer service and to ensuring that equity is central to our programming. If you have any accessibility needs that may affect your ability to participate in Play to Lead, please contact our team directly at playtolead@cantire.com.

How does Jumpstart ensure the safety of girls participating in the program?

The Play to Lead program follows the guiding principles outlined through the Responsible Coaching Movement. All staff and program facilitators follow the Rule of Two; complete background checks; complete applicable ethics training; and sign the Jumpstart Code of Conduct. All coaches participating in the Play to Lead program are required to complete the Respect in Sport: Activity Leaders certification and demonstrate a completed Background Screening prior to the start of the summit.

Summit programming ensures that all interactions and communications between staff, coaches, and program facilitators are in open, observable, and justifiable settings.

Do I need a computer/internet to participate in the program?

Yes, to complete the online portion of the program a device/smartphone/computer and internet access will be required. If you do not have access to a device and the internet, please contact playtolead@cantire.com and we can work towards a solution.

Are parents/legal guardians able to participate in the Summit?

No, the Summit activities and programming are exclusive to the athletes and coaches participating in Play to Lead.

Participants have the option of sharing their hotel room with their parent/legal guardian. While the shared accommodations will be covered by Play to Lead, please note that parents/guardians are responsible for their own food and travel costs.