FAQ
How is Jumpstart funded?
As a registered charity, Jumpstart receives donations and sponsorships from a wide variety of sources. Canadian Tire Corporation is our biggest supporter, as it funds all of our general administrative expenses, allowing 100% of customer donations to go directly toward supporting kids in need.
Vendors from Canadian Tire Corporation are also key supporters and funders of Jumpstart. The Government of Canada and several provincial governments also provide grants to support youth and initiatives that support healthy and active living.
Anyone can make a donation to Jumpstart. Annually we receive generous donations from Canadian Tire customers, children who have donated their birthday party money, customers who donated in memory of a loved one, and Canadian Tire employees and business partners who have participated in fundraising events.
How can I make a donation?
You can make a secure online donation ici. Vous pouvez aussi envoyer un chèque à l’ordre de la Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire à l’adresse suivante :
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Attention: Jumpstart Finance Team
2180 Yonge Street, PO Box 770, Station K
Toronto, Ontario M4P 2V8
Do you provide tax receipts?
Yes. Individuals who give a donation over $20 will be issued a tax receipt. Please see our Directives relatives aux reçus officiels aux fins d’impôt for more information.
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 ou tuteurs : parents/guardians are able to submit an application through the Jumpstart grant system for funding on behalf of their child/children.
- Collaborateurs : 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.
- Bon départ : 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).
- Organisme de service/bénéficiaire : 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
- prévenir Bon départ dès que possible dans l’éventualité où un ou des enfants cessent de participer à un programme ou changent de programme, ou en cas d’état complet ou d’annulation d’un programme. Dans de telles circonstances, le parent ou tuteur doit collaborer directement avec l’organisme de service exécutant le programme afin qu’il prenne les mesures nécessaires pour rembourser Bon départ avant qu’une autre demande soit présentée à Bon départ pour un financement additionnel de programme, car un ou des enfants ne seront pas admissibles à un financement additionnel s’ils ont déjà atteint le montant de financement maximal, et ce, même si le ou les enfants n’ont pas participé au programme.
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?
Si vous n’avez pas encore créé un compte, veuillez vous rendre à la page Subventions individuelles aux enfants et cliquer sur le bouton « Faire une demande ». Une fois le processus d’inscription terminé, vous pourrez créer une nouvelle demande de subvention et demander de l’aide financière. Si vous avez déjà un compte, veuillez ouvrir une session en utilisant votre adresse de courriel et votre mot de passe.
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.
Quelles sont les activités financées par Bon départ?
Jumpstart funds over 70 different activities. For a full listing of the activities we fund, please cliquer ici.
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.
Si vous avez de la difficulté à télécharger les renseignements financiers, essayez de prendre une photo avec votre téléphone et téléchargez la photo. Veuillez vous assurer que les renseignements apparaissant sur les documents sont visibles ou votre demande sera refusée. Assurez-vous de vider la mémoire cache et les fichiers témoins de votre navigateur et que celui-ci soit à jour.
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.
Étapes de dépannage
- Effacer l'historique
- Effacer la mémoire cache
- Effacer les témoins
- Redémarrer le navigateur
- Redémarrer l’ordinateur (si les étapes 1 à 4 ne fonctionnent pas)
Does my program have to be new?
No. You can apply for a new or existing program.
Je dirige un programme auquel il n’est pas nécessaire de s’inscrire. Puis-je tout de même présenter une demande?
Non. Les programmes auxquels il n’est pas nécessaire de s’inscrire ne répondent pas à nos exigences.
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 page Subventions de développement communautaire.
Comment les fonds sont-ils attribués?
Les fonds seront attribués sous forme de subventions octroyées aux organismes admissibles ayant démontré le plus grand besoin et l’impact potentiel le plus favorable. Cela comprend les bénéficiaires existants ainsi que les nouveaux.
Chaque demande est examinée et notée selon un cadre établi avec les conseils d’un comité d’experts de l’industrie. Toutes les demandes admissibles seront examinées et priorisées en fonction d’une cote liée à l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion afin d’évaluer les efforts déployés en vue de lever les obstacles systémiques aux activités sportives et récréatives au sein des communautés suivantes :
- Families in financial need;
- Children with disabilities;
With a further focus on communities facing intersecting barriers to access:
- Enfants et jeunes autochtones, noirs et de couleur (PANDC); et
- Filles et jeunes femmes.
Les fonds seront-ils répartis équitablement dans tout le Canada?
La Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire évaluera chaque demande en fonction de son bien-fondé et attribuera les fonds en conséquence. L’objectif est de financer des projets à l’échelle du pays.
How much funding can organizations request?
Bon départ prévoit que les subventions se situeront entre 1 000$ et plus de 100 000 $, selon les besoins et la portée du programme. Si vous avez des questions sur le montant de financement demandé, veuillez communiquer avec votre directeur régional ou envoyer un courriel à l’adresse jumpstart@cantire.com.
Quand les organismes communautaires vont-ils recevoir leur financement?
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?
La subvention de développement communautaire de Bon départ est destinée aux organismes admissibles qui démontrent l’impact potentiel le plus favorable. Cela comprend les bénéficiaires existants ainsi que les nouveaux. Nous nous efforçons de tenir compte de toutes les demandes, mais étant donné le nombre record de demandes pour des subventions de développement communautaire que nous recevons, les demandes soumises par les donateurs reconnus peuvent être refusées selon la note obtenue. De plus, nous refuseront les demandes qui ne répondent pas aux critères d’admissibilité.
What happens if I don’t submit a Community Impact and Recognition Report?
Les organismes qui ne présentent pas ce rapport seront en violation des modalités relatives aux bénéficiaires de subventions et pourraient devoir retourner tous les fonds reçus pour le programme à Bon départ.
Comment se déroule le processus de mise en candidature?
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.
Dois-je connaître personnellement le(la) candidat(e) pour proposer sa candidature?
Non. Toutefois, la personne qui propose la candidature doit être en mesure de fournir des renseignements sur le(la) candidat(e) et de démontrer que ce dernier ou cette dernière répond aux critères d’évaluation.
Can I nominate anyone?
Oui. Cela dit, le(la) candidat(e) doit avoir démontré son leadership et apporté une contribution déterminante dans le domaine du sport communautaire au Canada, particulièrement en améliorant l’accès à des sports abordables pour les enfants et les jeunes qui pourraient autrement être exclus ou marginalisés. Veuillez consulter la section « Admissibilité » à la page « Prix des champions communautaires » pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements.
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.
Quand puis-je proposer une candidature?
Le portail de présentation des candidatures sera activé le 17 novembre 2025. La période de présentation des candidatures se terminera le 31 janvier 2026 à 23 h 59 (HNE).
How will I know that my nomination has been received?
Toutes les personnes ayant proposé une candidature recevront un accusé de réception par courriel. Veuillez vous assurer que vos coordonnées sont clairement indiquées dans votre soumission.
Can nominations be updated?
Les candidatures ne peuvent pas être mises à jour après la date limite du 31 janvier 2026. Si vous souhaitez mettre à jour la candidature que vous avez proposée avant cette date limite, veuillez communiquer avec votre gestionnaire des relations. Cela dit, veuillez noter qu’il se peut qu’il ne soit pas possible d’exécuter une demande de mise à jour pour une candidature ayant été soumise proche de la date limite.
Dois-je soumettre une nouvelle candidature chaque année pour la même personne?
Oui. Chaque année, vous devez resoumettre la candidature de cette même personne.
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.
Puis-je communiquer avec les représentants de Bon départ ou du Panthéon des sports canadiens, ou avec les membres du comité de sélection, afin de leur fournir de plus amples renseignements sur un(e) candidat(e) ou de discuter avec eux du processus de mise en candidature?
Non. Tous les renseignements concernant un(e) candidat(e) doivent être soumis au moyen du portail en ligne. Si vous avez besoin d’une adaptation pour remplir ce formulaire ou pour participer au processus de mise en candidature, veuillez communiquer avec nous à l’adresse jumpstart@cantire.com. Nous sommes heureux de fournir le soutien nécessaire pour que chacun puisse participer entièrement.
PLAY TO LEAD
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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;
- Experiential learning through sport leadership pathways
- Year-round 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.
Where and when is the Play to Lead program being offered?
The 2026 Play to Lead program will take place in the following locations and on the following dates:
- Toronto, Ontario: Monday March 16th – Thursday March 19th, 2026
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – July 2026 (exact dates TBC)
- Whitehorse, Yukon- August 2026 (exact dates TBC)
Applications to the Play to Lead program are open to athletes and their coaches that live in regions surrounding the cities listed above.
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.
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.
What is the time commitment for Play to Lead?
The time commitment for the in-person Play to Lead Summit will be the four full days associated with each Summit location. Following the Summit, participants will be expected to participate in a sport leadership pathway where they will have opportunities to engage with exciting guest speakers and practice their leadership skills through hands-on experiences and real-world opportunities.
Will Play to Lead take the participants away from school hours and related school-related commitments?
The in-person Play to Lead Summit will run for four-days during school assigned breaks or over the summer. The post-Summit program and related experiences will be scheduled in the evening or on weekends and will not interfere with regular school hours.
Will transportation be provided to athletes travelling to/from the Play to Lead Summit?
Transportation is not generally provided to and from the summit, however transportation to various venues throughout the event will be provided.
We encourage athletes travelling to/from the Summit to consider either:
- Driving with a parent/guardian
- Taking public transit
If an athlete does not have access to these options, we will do our best to coordinate transportation to/from the Summit. Please indicate your transportation needs in the Participant Application Form.
Will hotel accommodations be provided for athletes overnight during the Summit weekend?
Yes, the Play to Lead team will confirm a host hotel for each summit location. Hotel rooms are available to all Play to Lead participants and coaches.
Each hotel room will be shared either between two athletes or between an athlete and their parent/legal guardian. Please indicate your hotel accommodation preferences in the Participant Application Form.
Coaches will have their own room – room sharing is not permitted.
Is the overnight stay required?
The overnight stay is not required, however, to foster a sense of community connection, we highly encourage Play to Lead participants to participate in the overnight experience. The Play to Lead team has taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of each individual participating in the Summit, particularly the overnight experience.
Participants can request to share a hotel room with a friend or a teammate who is also participating in the Play to Lead program. Participants can also opt to request to share a hotel room with their parent/legal guardian.
Will there be French programming?
Programming in Toronto, Charlottetown and Whitehorse will be offered in English.
Where can I find the schedule for the full Play to Lead program?
Full program schedules will be sent to the participants and their coaches who have been accepted into the program approximately one month before the Summit date.
As an Athlete, you can expect to have a mix of icebreakers, sports and games, leadership workshops, team building activities, panel discussions, and more!
As a Coach, you can expect to participate in icebreakers, group activities (both with the Athletes and with other coaches), leadership workshops, coaches sessions, and more!
Final summit schedules will be distributed to accepted participants and coaches on the first day of their summit.
How does Jumpstart ensure the safety of girls participating in the program?
The Play to Lead program follows the guiding principles outlined through the mouvement Entraînement responsable. All staff and program facilitators follow the Rule of Two; complete background checks; complete applicable ethics training; and sign the Jumpstart Code of Conduct. Summit programming ensures that all interactions and communications between staff, coaches, and program facilitators are in open, observable, and justifiable settings.
What safety measures are in place during the Summit?
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and the Play to Lead team are taking the necessary precautions to ensure that the overnight stay is a safe and fun experience for all participants.
Jumpstart will have overnight security stationed on the hotel room floor(s) where the athletes will stay. All athletes are required to be in their hotel rooms by 9:30 p.m. Should any athlete leave their room after 9:30 p.m., their parent/legal guardian will be notified, and the athlete will be asked to leave the Play to Lead program. Parents/legal guardians will be responsible for picking up the participant in the event of program dismissal.
QUESTIONS SUR LE PROCESSUS DE DEMANDE - POUR LES JEUNES
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, who will be enrolled in high school for the 2026 school year
- Must be committed to participate in the full duration of the program – both in-person during the summit dates and virtual learning opportunities in the months post-Summit
- For the Toronto summit: All participants must identify as Black girls or young women
Coaches
- 18 years or older
- Coaches can be of any gender; participation is not limited to women
- Actively engaged with a sport organization in a leadership capacity or coach on a school team.
- Must commit to be at the in-person summit
- Must be committed to support their athlete(s) for the full duration of the online sessions
How do I apply?
Applications for the 2026 program year are opening soon. Please check https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/play-to-lead throughout the year to apply!
How will I know if I have been selected for the program?
Once the application window closes, the Play to Lead team will review all Participant and Coach applications. You can expect to hear about the status of your application within a few weeks of when both you and your coach submit your applications.
Those that have been accepted into the program will receive a tentative acceptance email from playtolead@cantire.com. Recipients will need to reply and acknowledge that they accept the invitation and upload a signed parent/guardian waiver by the due date specified in the email to secure a spot in the 2026 PTL Program. If an athlete’s application is unsuccessful, they are welcome to apply again the following year so long as they meet the eligibility requirements of the program.
How many participants will be accepted?
Jumpstart will be accepting a total of 50-60 athlete participants and their coaches at each program location for the 2026 year.
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.
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.
QUESTIONS SUR LE PROCESSUS DE DEMANDE - POUR LES ENTRAÎNEURS
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 6 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 6:1, 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 6:1 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?
If you are having difficulty finding a coach to participate in the program with you, please reach out to us directly at playtolead@cantire.com
Are parents/legal guardians able to participate in the Summit?
No, Summit activities and programming are exclusive to the athletes and coaches participating in Play to Lead.
While parents/legal guardians cannot participate in summit activities, 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.
Will hotel accommodations be provided for parents/legal guardians overnight during the Summit weekend?
Athletes have the option of sharing their hotel room with either another Play to Lead athlete or 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.
Can an athlete stay in the same hotel room as a coach?
No, athletes and coaches will stay in separate accommodation. The only instance where an athlete and coach may share accommodation is in the event a coach is the parent/legal guardian of an athlete and they wish to stay together. In this case, please indicate your request on both the Participant and Coach Application Forms.