The True Sport Foundation occupies a unique space in Canada's sport funding landscape. Rather than focusing purely on athletic performance or participation numbers, True Sport funds programs that promote the values of good sport — fairness, inclusion, excellence, fun, and community. If your sport organization is committed to building character alongside athletic skills, the True Sport Foundation should be on your radar.
True Sport is connected to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and operates as an independent initiative that supports community sport organizations in delivering values-based programming. Their grants are designed to help organizations embed True Sport principles into their day-to-day operations and programs.
What True Sport Funds
The True Sport Foundation provides grants for projects that advance the True Sport principles through community sport. Eligible activities include:
- Coach education programs that focus on positive coaching, ethical sport, and athlete-centred development
- Inclusion initiatives that remove barriers to sport participation for underrepresented groups including newcomers, Indigenous youth, girls and women, LGBTQ+ athletes, and athletes with disabilities
- Fair play programs that educate athletes, parents, coaches, and officials about respectful competition and ethical behaviour
- Community sport development projects that bring people together through sport, build social connections, and strengthen community bonds
- Research and evaluation that measures the social impact of community sport programs
Grants typically range from $2,500 to $10,000 for community-level initiatives. Larger grants are available for projects with national scope or significant sector impact.
True Sport grants are smaller than many government programs, but they carry credibility. Being recognized as a True Sport organization signals to other funders that your organization is committed to doing sport the right way.
Who Can Apply
- Community sport organizations — clubs, leagues, associations, and sport councils
- Provincial and national sport organizations delivering community-level programs
- Schools and school sport programs with a clear values-based sport component
- Must be a registered nonprofit or charity in Canada
- Must commit to the True Sport principles and demonstrate how your project embeds these values
The True Sport Community Model
Beyond individual grants, True Sport offers a community designation program where entire municipalities or sport communities commit to the True Sport principles. Designated True Sport Communities receive ongoing support, resources, and recognition that can enhance your credibility with other funders.
Several Alberta communities have adopted the True Sport designation, including communities in the Calgary and Edmonton regions. If your community isn't yet designated, championing the True Sport process can position your organization as a leader in ethical sport development.
How to Write a Strong Application
Centre your application on values, not just activities. True Sport reviewers want to see how your project advances ethical sport principles. Instead of "we will run a basketball program for 40 youth," write "we will use basketball as a vehicle to develop fair play, respect, and inclusion among 40 youth from diverse backgrounds, incorporating structured reflection activities after each session."
Describe specific values-based activities. What will you actually do to promote True Sport values? Code of conduct workshops for parents? Fair play awards at tournaments? Diversity training for coaches? Be concrete about the values-based components of your program.
Show how you'll measure values-based outcomes. This is the challenge — how do you measure fairness or inclusion? Use pre-and-post surveys that ask participants about their experiences with respect, fair play, and belonging. Track participation rates among underrepresented groups. Collect qualitative feedback from parents and athletes about the culture of your program.
Demonstrate organizational commitment. True Sport wants to fund organizations that are genuinely committed to values-based sport, not those looking for a quick grant. Show that your board has adopted a True Sport policy, your coaches are trained in positive coaching, and your organization has a track record of prioritizing athlete experience over winning.
Leveraging True Sport Designation
One of the most valuable aspects of True Sport is the credibility it provides when applying for other grants. When you can state in a government grant application that your organization is a recognized True Sport organization, it signals quality, ethical governance, and a commitment to positive community impact. This designation can differentiate your application from competitors who focus solely on participation numbers.
Alpine Grants helps sport organizations access True Sport funding alongside government and corporate grants. Book a 10-minute discovery call and we'll identify the full range of sport funding available to your organization.