In 2022, the Government of Canada announced the Community Sport for All Initiative, a $47.5-million federal investment designed to get more Canadians — especially those from underrepresented groups — participating in sport and physical activity. It was one of the most significant federal sport funding commitments in a generation, and it continues to fund programs across the country through delivery partners at the national, provincial, and local level.
If you run a sport organization in Canada, this program could be a significant funding source. Here's everything you need to know about how it works, who qualifies, and how to access the money.
What Is the Community Sport for All Initiative?
Community Sport for All is a Sport Canada program delivered through the Department of Canadian Heritage. Its stated goal is to reduce barriers to sport participation for equity-deserving groups, including:
- Children and youth from low-income families
- Indigenous peoples
- Persons with disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Girls and women
- Members of racialized communities
- 2SLGBTQI+ individuals
The funding is distributed through established national and provincial sport organizations, multisport organizations, and community delivery partners. This means you typically don't apply directly to the federal government — instead, you apply through organizations that receive and distribute the funding.
How the Funding Flows
Community Sport for All uses a tiered delivery model. The federal government allocates funding to national delivery partners, which include:
- National Sport Organizations (NSOs) — the governing body for each sport (e.g., Hockey Canada, Canada Soccer, Swim Canada)
- Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs) — the provincial arm of each sport
- Multisport Service Organizations — organizations like the Aboriginal Sport Circle, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and others that serve specific populations
- Community organizations — in some cases, local clubs and nonprofits can access funding directly through open application streams
The exact delivery mechanism varies by sport and by province. In Alberta, much of this funding flows through Alberta Sport Connection, which distributes it to provincial sport organizations and community clubs.
What Does the Funding Cover?
Community Sport for All funds activities that directly reduce barriers to sport participation. Eligible expenses typically include:
- Registration fee subsidies for underrepresented participants
- Equipment purchases or lending programs
- Transportation support to get participants to programs
- Coaching and leadership development for underrepresented coaches
- Adapted programming for persons with disabilities
- Cultural programming that integrates sport with Indigenous cultural practices
- Introductory and try-it programs targeting new participants
The key is demonstrating that the funded activity removes a specific barrier for a specific underrepresented group. General programming that doesn't target equity-deserving populations typically doesn't qualify.
How Much Funding Is Available?
The total program allocation is $47.5 million over two years, distributed nationally. Individual organizations can receive anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand, depending on their scope, reach, and the delivery partner they work through.
For a typical community sport club in Alberta, realistic funding through this program ranges from $2,000 to $25,000, depending on the scope of programming and the number of participants served. Provincial sport organizations may receive significantly more and redistribute portions to their member clubs.
The organizations that secure the most funding from this program are the ones that propose specific, measurable programming — not vague inclusion statements, but concrete programs with defined target populations and clear outcomes.
How to Access It
Step 1: Identify Your Delivery Partner
Start by contacting your Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) in Alberta. If you're a hockey club, contact Hockey Alberta. Soccer goes through Alberta Soccer. If you serve Indigenous populations, contact the Aboriginal Sport Circle or Alberta's Indigenous sport organizations. Ask specifically about Community Sport for All funding and whether they have an application process for member organizations.
Step 2: Design Targeted Programming
Before you apply, design a specific program that serves an underrepresented group. Don't retrofit existing programming — create something intentional. For example: a free eight-week introductory soccer program for newcomer children in a specific neighbourhood, with transportation provided and equipment included.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Application processes vary by delivery partner. Some have formal application forms and deadlines; others work through expressions of interest or proposal submissions. Be prepared with a program description, budget, target population, and expected outcomes.
Step 4: Report on Outcomes
All Community Sport for All funding comes with reporting requirements. You'll need to track participation numbers, demographics, and program outcomes. Set up your tracking systems before the program starts — it's much harder to collect this data retroactively.
Combining Community Sport for All with Other Programs
Community Sport for All works well in combination with other funding sources. A club could use Community Sport for All funding to subsidize registrations for newcomer families, KidSport to cover additional registrations, Jumpstart for equipment, and a community foundation grant for facility rental costs. The result is a fully funded inclusion program at zero cost to the participants.
This stacking approach is exactly how the most successful community sport organizations in Canada operate. They don't rely on a single funding source — they build a portfolio of grants that collectively fund their mission.
Alpine Grants handles the entire process — from finding programs you qualify for to writing and submitting the application. Book a 10-minute discovery call to find out what funding is available for your organization.