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 regional 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 Regional 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.

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.

What happens if I don’t submit a final report?

You will be in breach of the Grant Recipient Terms and Conditions and will be required to return all program-related funds to Jumpstart.

What if I don’t submit any child data?

You will be in breach of the Grant Recipient Terms and Conditions and will be required to return all program-related funds to Jumpstart.

What if I don’t complete the Respect In Sport training?

You will be in breach of the Grant Recipient Terms and Conditions and may be required to return program related funds to Jumpstart and this could also impact your ability to receive future Jumpstart funding.

I have completed other trainings similar to the ones required, do I have to do it?

Yes. This requirement came from consultation with partners and participants across Canada to ensure we are collectively providing safe and inclusive spaces for all. We are grateful to all our grant recipients for recognizing that this mandatory requirement is a very important condition of receiving funding support from Jumpstart for which no exceptions will be made.

How much do the Respect in Sport Trainings Cost?

Jumpstart will cover the fees of all successful programming grant applications and the staff indicated on their application.

How do I access the Respect In Sport training?

Successful grantees will be emailed instructions on how to complete the training requirements with no fee.

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

Unfortunately not.

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

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

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

There is significant demand for Jumpstart’s Community Development Grant. While we’d like to support all organizations in need of funding, a small number of applicants do not meet eligibility requirements, and some cannot be funded based on the nature of their applications.

Jumpstart’s Community Development Grant is open to eligible organizations who demonstrate the greatest need and potential impact, including existing and first-time grant recipients.

How are funds being allocated?

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

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:

• familles défavorisées
• enfants ayant une limitation fonctionnelle;
• enfants et jeunes autochtones, noirs et de couleur (PANDC);
• 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.

Who determines which organizations get approved for funding?

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,
• BIPOC children and youth, and
• Girls and young women.

How much funding will organizations receive?

Jumpstart anticipates grants could range anywhere between $1,000 to more than $100,000 depending on need and program scope.

When will community organizations receive their funding?

Prospective applicants are asked to review the page Subventions de développement communautaire 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.

En quoi consiste le programme « Play to Lead »?

Bon départ sait que l’équité des genres contribue à améliorer le sport. Cela dit, 50 % des filles du pays ne participent à aucun type d’activité sportive, et celles qui font du sport sont plus nombreuses à abandonner que les garçons.

C’est pourquoi Bon départ a créé le programme de leadership « Play to Lead » à l’intention des jeunes femmes dans le sport. Ce programme permet aux jeunes athlètes féminines et à leurs entraîneurs d’acquérir des compétences en leadership, de prendre de l’assurance et de nouer des liens durables afin de favoriser l’équité des genres au sein de leur communauté locale et de leur organisme sportif.

Play to Lead is open to female athletes from the Greater Toronto Area and the Edmonton Metropolitan Area who will be in grade 9 to 12, for the 2023/24 school year.

What is the Play to Lead Summit?

Un sommet en présentiel d’une durée de deux jours donne le coup d’envoi du programme « Play to Lead » de 2023-2024. Dans le cadre de ce sommet, les athlètes participantes et leurs entraîneurs se réunissent pour un week-end de réseautage, de développement et d’activités sociales divertissantes. Le sommet sera tenu dans les villes suivantes :

• Toronto, Ontario (automne 2023)
• Edmonton, Alberta (automne 2023)

The in-person Summit will be followed by an online program that takes place throughout Fall 2023 – Spring 2024.

Who is eligible to apply?

Les athlètes féminines et leurs entraîneurs de la région du Grand Toronto qui participent activement à une activité sportive peuvent faire une demande. Les exigences précises en matière d’admissibilité sont indiquées ci-dessous.

Athlètes :

• Young women, enrolled in grade 9 to 12 for the 2023/24 school year
• Elles doivent s’engager à participer pendant toute la durée du programme (d’octobre 2023 à mai 2024)

Les entraîneurs :

• 18 ans ou plus
• Actively engaged with a sport organization in a leadership capacity or coach on a school team;
• Ils doivent s'engager à soutenir leur athlète pendant toute la durée du programme (d’octobre 2023 à mai 2024)

How much does it cost to participate in Play to Lead?

Jumpstart is committed to ensuring Play to Lead is barrier-free, including funding all costs associated with travel, workshops, and program-related equipment for both the participating athletes and coaches.

Which province/region do I have to live in to participate?

The 2023 Play to Lead program will take place in the following areas: Toronto, Ontario & Edmonton, Alberta. Participating athletes and their coaches should reside in the local areas listed above. Please contact our team directly at playtolead@cantire.com if you are unsure if you reside in an eligible region.

Will Play to Lead take the participants away from school hours and related school-related commitments?

Play to Lead will not interfere with school hours or related commitments. The programming will take place during the weekends or after school hours.

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

Jumpstart is committed 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.

What is the time commitment for Play to Lead?

The time commitment for the in-person Play to Lead Summit will be two full days over a weekend in the fall of 2023. Following the Summit, participants will be expected to commit to 30 minutes of virtual learning between October 2023 – May 2024. Online sessions will be complemented by monthly challenges to enhance leadership skills!

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.

Will there be French programming?

Play to Lead will only be offering English programming at this time. We hope to offer French programming in future years.

Where can I find the schedule for the full Play to Lead program?

Schedules will be sent to the participants and their coaches who have been accepted into the program.

What is Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities’ Privacy Policy?

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities’ Privacy Policy can be found ici.

Will I be able to access the online program from my iPhone, Android phone and/or my computer?

Yes, the online platform is compatible with all devices connected to the internet.

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.

How do I apply?

Please find the online application below.

• For athletes: Demande pour les athlètes
• For coaches: Demande pour les entraîneurs

The application opens on March 20th, 2023 and closes on June 30th, 2023 at 11:59:59 PM EST. The application process is completed entirely online. Should you have any questions or encounter any issues in submitting your application, please email playtolead@cantire.com.

How many participants will be accepted?

Jumpstart will be accepting a total of 200 athletes and 200 coaches for the 2023/24 year of Play to Lead.

Comment a été élaboré le programme Sportives et leaders?

Jumpstart developed Play to Lead with the support of our valued network of expert partners, in addition to leveraging insights from published data, research and relevant lived experience that highlighted the need for action.

How does Jumpstart execute the program?

The Play to Lead program, which includes interactive and experiential learning opportunities, is co-created and delivered in partnership with gender equity experts and leaders in sport.

How does Jumpstart ensure program quality?

Bon départ évalue constamment le programme Sportives et leaders afin de faire en sorte qu’il génère de la valeur et réponde aux besoins des jeunes femmes dans le sport. Le développement et l’évolution de ce programme sont directement liés à l’expérience vécue par nos participantes et leurs entraîneurs, à des recherches et à des données de qualité ainsi qu’aux commentaires d’experts et de partenaires.

If my child applies, does that mean they are accepted to the program?

All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by July 31st, 2023. Athletes who are accepted into Play to Lead will receive an email from playtolead@cantire.com to confirm their offer of acceptance. 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.