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 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).
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 completed an application in 2021, 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 $300 per activity ($600 annually), subject to chapter discretion and/or local demands.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 organizations and municipalities who demonstrate the greatest need and potential impact, including existing and first-time grant recipients.

The application questions focus on the recovery plan from organizations, designed to provide the Charity with insight into how funding support will drive growth and innovation to build a better sport system.

If you are not sure if your organization qualifies for funding, please email jumpstart@cantire.com and provide the following information:

Organization name
Organization address
Contact name
Contact phone number
Type of Organization (e.g., Charity, Society, Government, Not for Profit, For Profit Business, Other)

How are funds being allocated?

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

Through consultation with our community partners and key stakeholders, it became clear that return to play plans often give little consideration to the systemic barriers to sport and play for many in our communities, including: children with disabilities, girls and young women, BIPOC children and youth, and families in financial need. The Jumpstart Community Development Grant will prioritize programs and activities that address these barriers.

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 in all 289 Jumpstart Chapters across Canada.

Who determines which organizations get approved for funding?

All applications will be evaluated and prioritized using an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion score based on the applicant’s efforts 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 does Jumpstart hope the grant will help community sport organizations?

Community sport organizations are looking for nimble and rapid sources of funding support that will allow them to modify their programs to meet all the mandated health and safety measures needed to keep kids safe. Funding is needed for more equipment, higher program delivery costs due to COVID-19 protocols, PPE and sanitization, etc. The Fund will also support activities that will encourage innovation to help close the operational gaps exposed by COVID-19.

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 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.

With varying sport and recreation restrictions across municipalities at this time due to COVID-19, how will organizations use funding?

As part of the grant process, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities will be asking applicants to confirm that their programming adheres to return to play guidelines issued by local public health authorities or sport governing bodies. Additionally, the application questions focus on the recovery plan from organizations that will support growth and innovation to build a better sport system.