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 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 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.

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:

families in financial need;
children with disabilities;
BIPOC children and youth;
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?

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 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.

What is Play to Lead?

At Jumpstart, we know that gender equity builds better sport. However, 50% of Canadian girls are not participating in any kind of sport and drop out of sport at a higher rate as compared to boys.

That’s why Jumpstart created Play to Lead: a leadership program for young women in sport. The program brings together young female athletes and their coaches to develop leadership skills, gain confidence, and build lasting relationships that contribute to gender equity within their local community and sport organization.

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?

To mark the start of Play to Lead 2023/24, we kick things off with a two day, in-person Summit. During the Summit, athlete participants and their coaches join for a weekend of networking, development, and fun social activities. The summit will take place in the following cities:

Toronto, Ontario (Fall 2023)
Edmonton, Alberta (Fall 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?

Female athletes and their coaches within the Greater Toronto Area or Edmonton Metropolitan Area who are actively engaged in sport are eligible to apply. See below for the specific eligibility requirements.

Athletes:

Young women, enrolled in grade 9 to 12 for the 2023/24 school year
Must be committed to participate in the full duration of the program (September 2023 – May 2024)

Coaches:

18 years or older
Actively engaged with a sport organization in a leadership capacity or coach on a school team;
Must be committed to support their athlete for the full duration of the program (September 2023 – May 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 here.

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: Athlete Application
For coaches: Coach Application

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.

How was the PTL program developed?

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?

Jumpstart continuously evaluates the Play to Lead program to ensure that it delivers value and meets the needs of young women in sport. The growth and evolution of the program is directly influenced by the lived experience of our participants and coaches, quality research and data, and from feedback from experts and partners.

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.