About the UNIFIED Assist Program

The UNIFIED Assist Program works to identify and support community programs and initiatives focusing on increasing access to the game by assisting to remove barriers organizations are facing within underserved, under-represented or marginalized communities across Canada by providing financial support, as well as opportunities for development through Canada Basketball alignment programs.  

Organizations that are not selected for grant support will be placed in the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will still be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training. Community groups in the Development Pool will also be considered potential unmatched experiences offered through Canada Basketball and Canada Basketball Foundation.

Read more about CBF’s development pathways below, or by downloading our 2024 UNIFIED Assist Program Application Handbook.

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Development Pathways

Removing Barriers to Entry & Progress

The Canada Basketball Foundation 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.  

The Canada Basketball Foundation collaborates with our provincial/territorial basketball organizations and grassroots programs to grow the sport of basketball at all levels. The Canada Basketball Foundation 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

Growing Capacity & Fostering Opportunity

The Canada Basketball Foundation acknowledges that the world of sport is wide-reaching far beyond the lines of the courts, playgrounds, and gymnasiums where games are played.  

The Canada Basketball Foundation aims to support programs and initiatives which attempt to pave new pathways for our youth to engage with sport off the court, through social participation, culture, and the business of sport. These programs for sport leadership development include, but are not limited to:

  • Creative design
  • Photography and videography
  • Sport management
  • Youth mentorship
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Technology
  • Social Justice
  • Entrepreneurship

Inspiring Tomorrow’s Starting Line-Up

The Canada Basketball Foundation supports programs and initiatives that are helping to instill a #madlove for the game in tomorrow’s starting line-ups.   

The Canada Basketball Foundation seeks to invest and support those who empower the next generation by delivering high-quality, sustainable, inclusive basketball programming and basketball-centered experiences for youth.  Specifically, the Canada Basketball Foundation prioritizes supporting programs in underserved regions across Canada and those which aim to welcome, serve, and empower more girls and women in basketball. These programs for youth basketball development refer to, but are not limited to:

  • Provincial/Territory Club teams
  • House league programs
  • Skill development clinics
  • Summer camps

Eligibility

Organizations that are eligible to apply for support through the UNIFIED Assist Program are organizations based in and performing services in Canada, and are:

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

Examples of organizations who are not eligible for support through the UNIFIED Assist Program are organizations who are:

  • Not based in and performing services in Canada
  • For-profit organizations such as schools, academies, and private institutions
  • For-profit teams and programs

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

Application Details & Timelines

Application Timelines

Applications for grants will only be accepted through online submissions of the UNIFIED Assist Program Application form.  

UNIFIED Assist Program applications should be submitted online within the application window.   

Deadline for Expression of Interest: February 5th, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET  

Deadline for Full Grant Applications (if shortlisted): March 31st, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Grant Decisions Issued: April 30th, 2024

Decisions Announced: May 2024

Grant Recipient Commitments

As a selected UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipient, applicants must commit to completing the following requirements upon receiving a grant:    

  • Complete Safe Sport Training
  • Complete a Grant Impact Summary Report
  • Complete Canada Basketball Verification Program (if applicable)

Read more on grant recipient commitments such as Safe Sport Training, EDI training and Grant Impact Reports in the Canada Basketball Foundation Application Handbook.

Application Process

Confirm organization is eligible through careful revision of our grant guidelines and criteria.

Visit the Apply Now tab on the Canada Basketball Foundation website for the UNIFIED Assist Program Expression of Interest Application Form. Follow the prompts and answer questions on the form, and submit your application before the deadline of February 5th, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. You will receive a confirmation receipt upon successful submission of your application.  

Please review grant guidelines and criteria while filling out your application. If you have any questions about the application form or process, please contact cbfoundation@basketball.ca for further questions.

Once the Expression of Interest is submitted, a diverse Canada Basketball Foundation selection team will review and evaluate your application. All Expression of Interest Applications will be evaluated and prioritized using a scorecard assessing organization and program information, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion based on the program's efforts to address barriers to sport for marginalized, under-represented or historically racialized communities.

Based on an applicant's Expression of Interest score, they may be selected to continue in the application process and complete a detailed Full Application. If you are selected to complete a Full Application, you will be contacted by a Canada Basketball Foundation staff member, who will provide you with next steps, as well as the application form. All Full Applications are due by March 31st, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Full Applications will undergo another round of evaluations by the Canada Basketball Foundation selection team. Applications will be scored on a program evaluation scorecard and a Diversity Equity and Inclusion scorecard. Applicants selected for a UNIFIED Assist Program grant will be contacted directly by a Canada Basketball staff member in May 2024.  

Organizations that are not selected for grant support will be placed in the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will still be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training. Community groups in the Development Pool will also be considered potential unmatched experiences offered through Canada Basketball and Canada Basketball Foundation.

All applicants may schedule a feedback call after June 1st, 2024, to improve their application for next year.

Application Review Process

Members of the Canada Basketball Foundation selection team, with support and guidance from the Canada Basketball Foundation Board of Directors, will review and score each application using an application scorecard and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion scorecard.

Program assessment will be based on applications that meet the eligibility criteria and the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate commitment to at least (1) of the three development pathways – i) Coaching and Officiating, ii) Youth Sport Leadership, and/or, iii) Youth Basketball Development
  • Show a plan for sustainability of the program in the community and/or provide evidence that demonstrates the intent to invest funds in the long-term infrastructure of the program
  • Possess organizational capacity to complete the outlined program and meet the goals and objectives
  • Innovative programs that fit the needs of the participants and the region and/or community
  • Provide evidence that demonstrates success of the program is not solely dependent on Canada Basketball Foundation funds
  • Preference will be given to applicants that have not previously received funding

In addition, all applications will be evaluated and prioritized using an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion scorecard based on the applications efforts to address systemic barriers to sport, specifically basketball, for marginalized, under-represented or historically racialized communities such as, but not limited to:

  • Indigenous youth (i.e., First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit)
  • Newcomers and Refugee identified youth
  • Black youth
  • Francophone youth
  • Girl-Identified youth (in the case of gender-specific programming)
  • 2SLGBTQQIA+ identified youth
  • Youth who identify as having a disability (visible and/or invisible)
  • Youth living in rural, remote and/or Northern communities
  • Youth in low-income situations or from low-income families
  • Other racialized youth groups

Applicants meeting ALL the applicable eligible criteria will be considered for financial support through the UNIFIED Assist Program. Grant amounts awarded to applicants will be determined fully at the discretion of Canada Basketball Foundation, based on demonstrated financial need, program reach, and funding availability.

Organizations who are not selected for grant support will be placed in the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will still be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training. Community groups in the Development Pool will also be considered potential unmatched experience offered through Canada Basketball and Canada Basketball Foundation.

Apply Now