UNIFIED THROUGH BASKETBALL

Canada Basketball Foundation™ (CBF) works to unify Canada as a basketball nation by supporting safe, equitable, and inclusive basketball programming designed to remove access barriers.

UNIFIED ASSIST PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

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Impact of the Canada Basketball Foundation

5K+

YOUTH engaged

100+

COMMUNITY GROUPS

$65K+

IN CBF GRANTS

LAY-UP YOUTH BASKETBALL

“Our partnership with Canada Basketball means so much to our programs and to Lay-Up as a grassroots organization. From increasing access to NCCP and NOCP certifications, to creating memorable moments for youth at events like GLOBL JAM, Canada Basketball has supported Lay-Up in bringing the work being done at the highest level of the game to local communities. Our biggest shared project to date has been launching the Crossover program, which is preparing a new generation of diverse youth for the emerging opportunities in the rapidly growing basketball industry through training, certification, networking, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.”

- Chris Penrose
Executive Director, Lay-Up Youth Basketball

LADY BALLERS CAMP

“Attending [GLOBL JAM 2022] made our girls' summer magical, one they will truly never forget. Having the opportunity to play on your state-of-the-art Tangerine Community Court was so very empowering for our young women. They all had a thrilling experience watching the GLOBL JAM games and were especially awe-inspired by the super talented Alumni, Miranda Ayim. Your amazing generosity made all of this possible.Your grant has helped us continue providing three (3) weekly basketball practices, transiting the girls from the outer reaches of the GTA, and helping provide jerseys and meals as they joined in tournaments across the GTA. Our team greatly appreciates your gift and sends out an enormous thank you!”

- Toyo Ajibolade
Executive Director, Lady Ballers Camp

SONGHEES FIRST NATION

"The funding received by the Canada Basketball Foundation has helped with building capacity for grassroots basketball programs for youth in the Songhees Nation community. It has supported with access to new equipment and coaches to increase opportunity to learn the game of basketball. The Nation is appreciative of funding and look forward to working to continuing to explore opportunities for youth Indigenous basketball in the community"

- Chris McElroy
Community Recreation Coordinator

NATIONAL BASKETBALL YOUTH MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

"We are extremely excited and beyond grateful for this opportunity with Canada Basketball and Jumpstart. The NBYMP was designed to provide sustainable mentorship services to youth in the form of professional guidance and holistic development. This grant will undoubtedly assist us to accomplish those goals."

- Kevin Wilson, Founder
National Basketball Youth Mentorship Program

MUSLIM WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE

"The CBF Grant has been truly beneficial in supporting MWSBL’s 2022 summer season and postseason events by allowing us to host our first MWSBL All-Star Game and instructional basketball clinics to young girls ages 13 to 17 in the West and East end of Toronto. We are so grateful to Canada Basketball for seeing our vision and allowing us to execute it without financial worries. Being involved with Canada Basketball’s affiliates such as GLOBL JAM was truly an experience of a lifetime. For many of our members, playing basketball in the heart of downtown Toronto during the GLOBL JAM Festival at Younge Dundas Square was an experience they’ll never forget. We hope to continue to work with Canada Basketball and its affiliates to showcase the beautiful sport of basketball while creating opportunities for the girls and women in our community. Thank you, Canada Basketball."

- Fitriya Mohammed
Founder of Muslim Women’s Summer Basketball League

SASKATOON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation’s (SPSF) Early Learning Equal Start campaign strives to ensure all students are able to read Grade 3 by Grade 3. This generous donation from Canada Basketball and Jumpstart will help us to ensure that physical well-being forms part of our early learner literacy programs. Physical activity and sport are important factors in ensuring kids are able to learn at their best and the generosity of partners like Jumpstart and Canada Basketball is what makes our programs possible and is greatly appreciated.”

- Zeba Ahmad
Executive Director, Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation

About the Program

Canada Basketball views the sport of basketball as a powerful tool that can unify Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

In reflection of Canada Basketball’s UNIFIED 2024 commitments, the CBF prioritizes the support of nonprofit programs and initiatives that help keep Canadian sport spaces a safe one, which welcome all generations, ethnicities, religions, identities, and abilities.

The CBF supports groups whose priorities, include developing inclusive and equitable opportunities for youth through sport, with a focus on increasing access for underserved, under-represented or historically racialized communities such as, but not limited to;

  • Youth facing socio-economic barriers
  • First Nations, Inuit, and Metis youth
  • Newcomers and Refugee youth
  • Girl-Identified youth (in the case of gender-specific programming)
  • 2SLGBTQ+ Identified youth
  • Youth who identify as having a disability (visible and/or invisible)
  • Other racialized youth groups

In addition to aligning with CB’s UNIFIED 2024 foundational values, project proposals, programs and initiatives must align with one (1) of the following three (3) CBF priorities:

  1. Officiating and Coaching Development
  2. Sport Leadership Development
  3. Youth Basketball Development

Read more about CBF’s funding pathways below, or by downloading our CBF Grant Application Handbook 2023 HERE.

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Funding Pathways

Removing Barriers to Entry & Progress

The CBF provides support to the guardians of our game; the coaches, officials and community leaders who are demonstrating and teaching the positive values of sport to youth across the nation.

Canada Basketball collaborates with our provincial/territorial basketball organizations and grassroots programs to grow the sport of basketball at all levels. CBF provides support to programs for development, such as continued education and training for coaches and officials, through;

  • NCCP training and certification
  • NOCP training and certification
  • Safe Sport Training
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Training

Eligibility

We fund organizations and programs who are:

  • A registered charity
  • A registered nonprofit or not-for-profit organization, program or initiative
  • Registered provincial housing corporations
  • Registered Municipalities
  • Metis, Inuit or First Nation community/band

If you are an eligible organization or program, apply HERE.

Funding Details & Timelines

Applying
Applications for grants will only be accepted ONLINE.  

Potential applicants who meet the UNIFIED Application Program criteria and have a program running between JUNE 1 2023 - MAY 31 2024, are eligible to apply to become a UNIFIED Program through the CBF Application Portal HERE.

Funding Timelines
Applications should be submitted within the corresponding application windows.

MARCH 19, 2023, at 11:59PM ET: Deadline for UNIFIED Program Expression of Interest Applications.

APRIL 16th, 2023, at 11:59PM: Deadline for UNIFIED Program Full Applications (if contacted)

MAY 2023: UNIFIED Application Program Decisions Issued

JULY 2023: UNIFIED Application Programs Publicly Announced

Disbursement
Selected program and program applications will be contacted by a CBF staff member upon approval. Funds will be disbursed in two intervals for selected approved grants

  • 70% upon acceptance and completion of Safe Sport Training, prior to program start date
  • 30% upon submission of Grant Impact Summary Report and enrollment in Canada Basketball’s Verification Program

*Exceptions to this rule may be made at the discretion of Canada Basketball where/when necessary*

Application Process

Full applications will be evaluated and scored by a CBF Selection Team and the CB Foundation Board of Directors. Approved applicants will be contacted directly by a CBF staff member.

Organizations who are not selected for a grant are still subject to exclusive opportunities such as access to CB alignment programs, unmatched experiences, and potential support. All applicants may schedule a feedback call after June 1st, 2023 to improve their application for next year.