COMMUNITY GRANTS
HOW WE GIVE
COMMUNITY ACTION GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!
MLSE Foundation’s grant funds are dedicated to supporting Ontario-based organizations who are using sport and recreation to build a more equitable tomorrow. The Community Action Grant enables us to grant up to $50,000 to organizations that are creating positive outcomes for youth.
View the 2025 Community Action Grant Recipients here.
View the 2025 Community Action Grant Recipients here.
WHO WE FUND
Governed by the Income Tax Act, MLSE Foundation is only able to grant funds to organizations that are classified as a Qualified Donee by the Canadian Revenue Agency as follows:
○ a registered charity
○ a registered Ontario amateur athletic association
○ a registered housing corporation in Ontario
○ a registered Ontario municipality
○ Metis, Inuit or First Nation community/Band
○ Organizations that do NOT have Qualified Donee status are still eligible to apply in partnership with a Trustee Organization who has Qualified Donee Status. Schedule a call with MLSE Foundation staff to review your options
○ Organizations performing services in Ontario
○ a registered charity
○ a registered Ontario amateur athletic association
○ a registered housing corporation in Ontario
○ a registered Ontario municipality
○ Metis, Inuit or First Nation community/Band
○ Organizations that do NOT have Qualified Donee status are still eligible to apply in partnership with a Trustee Organization who has Qualified Donee Status. Schedule a call with MLSE Foundation staff to review your options
○ Organizations performing services in Ontario
MLSE Foundation prioritizes the following demographics:
○ Black youth
○ First Nations, Inuit, and Metis youth
○ Women & Girl – identified youth (in the case of gender specific programming)
Read more about what we fund in the Grant Guidelines 2024.
MLSE Foundation prioritizes the following demographics:
○ Black youth
○ First Nations, Inuit, and Metis youth
○ Women & Girl – identified youth (in the case of gender specific programming)
Read more about what we fund in the Grant Guidelines 2024.
APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Once you confirm your organization is eligible, follow the prompts to register and create an Organization Profile in our Online Portal.
○ If you have applied for a Community Action Grant in the past, your login information should be unchanged and you can skip directly to the Expression of Interest.
Step 2: Once your Organization is accepted (1-2 days), complete the short Expression of Interest questions that will become available in your Online Portal.
○ Read the Grant Guidelines to help in completing your application. It has valuable information about how applications are evaluated.
○ View our virtual grant writing webinars:
1. https://events.mlsefoundation.org/community-learning-series/Static/grant-writing-101
2. https://events.mlsefoundation.org/community-learning-series/Static/grant-writing-102
1. https://events.mlsefoundation.org/community-learning-series/Static/grant-writing-101
2. https://events.mlsefoundation.org/community-learning-series/Static/grant-writing-102
○ Register for regular drop-in style webinar sessions where MLSE Foundation staff will offer grant writing support and answer questions.
Step 3: Once submitted, a diverse Selection Circle will evaluate every Expression of Interest and short-list top applicants.
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Learn more about how we evaluate applications in the Grant Guidelines 2024-2025.
○ Organizations not shortlisted can sign up for a feedback call in June 2025 and will be provided feedback to improve their application for next year.
Step 4: Shortlisted Organizations will be contacted to complete a Full Application that will become available in your Online Portal.
Step 5: Full Applications will be evaluated by the Selection Circle.
○ Organizations not selected for a grant can schedule a call (closed) to review comments from the Selection Circle.
Please use this bookings page to sign up for MLSE Foundation's Community Action Grant drop-in webinar. During this hour, we'll review the grant guidelines in detail, address any general questions you may have, and walk you through the grant application process. This session will provide you with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to navigate each step successfully.
Read our Grant Guidelines here.
Read our Grant Guidelines here.
KEY DATES
NOV 6th, 2024: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PORTAL OPENS
NOV 29th, 2024: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PORTAL CLOSES
DEC 2nd - DEC 16th, 2024: SELECTION CIRCLE REVIEWS EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS
JAN 6th - JAN 31st, 2025: SHORT LIST NOTIFIED AND FULL APPLICATIONS OPEN
FEB 3rd - FEB 17th, 2025: SELECTION CIRCLE REVIEW FULL APPLICATIONS
FEB 25th, 2025: AWARD ACCEPTANCE
KEY DATES
NOV 6th, 2024: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PORTAL OPENS
NOV 29th, 2024: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PORTAL CLOSES
DEC 2nd - DEC 16th, 2024: SELECTION CIRCLE REVIEWS EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS
JAN 6th - JAN 31st, 2025: SHORT LIST NOTIFIED AND FULL APPLICATIONS OPEN
FEB 3rd - FEB 17th, 2025: SELECTION CIRCLE REVIEW FULL APPLICATIONS
FEB 25th, 2025: AWARD ACCEPTANCE
Please reach out to FoundationGrants@MLSE.com with any questions.