TORONTO (December 17, 2025) – Canada Basketball announced Wednesday the return of the UNIFIED Assist Program, continuing its commitment to support non-profit community programs and initiatives across the country that provide inclusive and equitable opportunities for youth through basketball. 

The UNIFIED Assist Program increases access to the sport by offering financial and development support aimed at reducing barriers to access for underserved, under-represented and marginalized youth in communities across Canada. 

Since launching in January 2023, the program as received more than 600 applications from across Canada and has distributed more than $500,000 in funding to over 40 non-profit community organizations. 

Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit an expression of interest application by February 1st at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

To be eligible to receive support through the UNIFIED Assist Program, organizations must be a registered charity, non-profit or not-for-profit organization, or a Métis, Inuit or First Nation community or band, with a qualified program or initiative scheduled to take place in 2026.

All eligible programs must align with one of Canada Basketball’s development pathways outlined below: 

Youth Coaching and Officiating Development 

In collaboration with provincial and territorial basketball organizations and grassroots partners, Canada Basketball works to grow the game at all levels by providing developmental support for continued education and training for coaches, officials and community leaders, including:

• NCCP/NOCP training and certification 

• Safe Sport Training 

• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Training 

Youth Sport Leadership Development 

Canada Basketball recognizes that the impact of sport extends far beyond the court, playgrounds and gymnasiums where games are played. 

Canada Basketball supports programs and initiatives that help create new pathways for youth to engage with sport off the court through social participation, culture and the business of sport, including but not limited to: 

• Creative design 

• Photography and Videography 

• Sport Management 

• Youth Mentorship 

• Music 

• Fashion 

• Technology 

• Social Justice 

• Entrepreneurship 

Youth Basketball Skill Development 

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

Canada Basketball invests in and supports organizations that empower the next generation by delivering high-quality, sustainable and inclusive basketball programming and basketball-centered experiences for youth. In particular, Canada Basketball prioritizes programs in underserved regions across the country and initiatives that welcome, serve and empower more girls and women in basketball through:

• House league programs 

• Skill development clinics 

• Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Programs 

• Summer camps 

All eligible organizations who submit an application will automatically enter the UNIFIED Assist Program development pool, where they will have access to ongoing Canada Basketball development support and unique experiences.

All applications are reviewed and scored by a diverse Canada Basketball selection team using a scorecard created to assess organization structure, program information, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to address barriers to sport for equity-deserving youth. Top applicants will be considered for financial support through a UNIFIED Assist Program grant.

Canada Basketball will contact successful applicants confidentially in early March 2026 before a public announcement of recipients in Spring 2026.

Those organizations selected as UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipients must commit to completing safe sport training, register for the Canada Basketball Verification Program (if applicable) and submit a grant impact summary report upon program completion.

For more information on the UNIFIED Assist Program and to donate to help support the organization’s mission to foster safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive basketball opportunities for coaches across Canada, click here. 

About Canada Basketball 

Canada Basketball is the national governing body for the sport, recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Government of Canada. A not-for-profit organization, Canada Basketball leads the growth and development of the game at all levels, from grassroots participation to high performance international competition, including the development of athletes, coaches, and officials across the country, in alignment with its provincial and territorial sport organizations. The organization strives for excellence on the world stage while serving the best interests of Canada by making basketball safer, more accessible, more equitable, and more impactful in communities coast-to-coast-to-coast. Canada’s Senior Women’s, Men’s, and 3x3 National Teams, along with its age-group programs, proudly represent the nation in international play, competing with the best in the world. 

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