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Source verified July 11, 2026

Free to Play

Support for children’s outdoor play initiatives

Offered by

Community Foundations of Canada (CFC)

Official source: communityfoundations.ca

Latest source update

Last Update: July 9, 2026

Latest change: The Free to Play content now shows funded award results, with five projects receiving $345,435, while the earlier application window, Applicant Guide, and contact details are no longer visible on the main grant page.

View change

Free to Play moved from applications to funded awards

The Free to Play page now presents an awards update instead of active intake details: it says the Ottawa Community Foundation is funding five community-based projects with $345,435 in total support. The earlier application information is no longer visible on the page, and a second round is now framed as a second round of funding coming in 2027 rather than an open application window. The supporting press release still shows the prior application period of November 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM PST to February 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST, plus eligibility for registered charities, non-profits, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and incorporated non-profits. Contact and portal references also shifted, including the Contact Us link target and the removal of the Applicant Guide and submission instructions from the main grant page.

Funding available

$ 5,000 - $ 150,000

Deadline

Open continuously

Location

Canada

Who can apply

Registered charities

See full eligibility

Overview

Free to Play supports outdoor play projects for children across participating Canadian communities. The program funds community-led initiatives that increase outdoor play, reduce barriers, and support children’s wellbeing and development.

/100

Opportunity Score

Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Develop strategic partnerships
Develop a new program or service
Increase social or community impact

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Minimum amount : 5,000 $

Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Canada

Legal structures

Non-profit

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

Other Recreation and Social Clubs
Primary and Secondary Education
Other Education
Social Services
Civic and Advocacy Organizations
Grant-making Foundations
Other Philanthropic Intermediaries and Voluntarism Promotion
Children and Youth Organizations

Target groups

Children & youth
Indigenous peoples
Rural / Remote communities
Nonprofits / charities
Community leaders

Revenue structures

100% donations / grants

Scope

Local
Municipal
Regional
Provincial
National

Next Steps

Determine your project

Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

Access to outdoor spaces and materials.
Training and support for caregivers, educators, and community members.
Supportive policies and tools that make outdoor play easier to include in programs and help manage risk.
Community engagement involving families, caregivers, and community members to understand and support outdoor play and risk.
Cross-sector partnerships that expand outdoor and land-based play opportunities for children in communities.

Documents Needed

A direct link to your organization’s CRA T3010A, if applicable.

Official resources

Official page

Press Release - Ready, set, play. Free to Play applications open today, and the movement to get children outside begins

Program guide

Applicant Guide (2025)

Community Foundation of Newfoundland And Labrador (2025)

Application form

Fondation communautaire de la Péninsule acadienne

Participatory Grant Cohort - Application Scoring Rubric

READ ONLY

Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia

Saskatoon Community Foundation

Supporting document

Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough

Free To Play - Community Foundations of Canada

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Registered charities
Non-profit organizations
Indigenous Governing Bodies
Municipalities
Other qualified donees and incorporated non-profit organizations, such as community groups, Indigenous nation/community, school boards, schools, and local organizations registered federally or provincially

Who is not eligible

For-profit organizations
Unincorporated non-profits
Business non-profit institutions, including business associations, chambers of commerce, and condominium associations
Individuals

Eligible expenses

Project-related administration, staff salaries, and professional fees.
Materials and supplies, training, workshops, and evaluation.
Communications, translation, honoraria, travel, and transportation.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

Activities outside Canada or outside the participating service area.
One- or two-day events without lasting impact.
Structured adult-led sports, virtual programs for children, and partisan activities.
Land, buildings, major infrastructure, electronic devices, and reserve or endowment funds.

Eligible geographic areas

City of Ottawa
Town of Westlock, Westlock County, and Village of Clyde
Rural Nova Scotia
Sunshine Coast Regional District, including District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons, shíshálh Nation Government District, Area A: Egmont / Pender Harbour, Area B: Halfmoon Bay, Area D: Roberts Creek, Area E: Elphinstone, and Area F: West Howe Sound

Selection criteria

Alignment and experience with free, unstructured outdoor play for children ages 0-12, scored 1 to 5, including past or current programs and key learnings.
Proposed initiative quality and relevance, scored 1 to 5, including clarity, feasibility, community relevance, and potential impact.
Collaboration and collective impact, scored 1 to 5, including a past collaboration example and strengths in a consensus-based cohort.
Community engagement and inclusion, scored 1 to 5, including how children and families are engaged and how programs are inclusive and accessible.
Readiness and fit for participatory granting, scored 1 to 5, including understanding of consensus-based decision making, commitment to shared decision-making, and support needs.

How to apply

Reach out to your community foundation directly for details on how to participate.
Confirm whether your local community foundation is participating and apply through the correct community foundation for your area.
Read the Free to Play Applicant Guide before beginning your application.
Create an account and register your organization in the application system.
Submit your application by February 24, 2026, 5:00 PM PST.

Processing and Agreement

Some community foundations will use a participatory grantmaking process.
Applicants will be notified of decisions by Spring 2026.

Additional information

Some community foundations will use a participatory grantmaking process.
Not all community foundations are participating at this time.
If you have accessibility requirements for accessing and completing the application, contact your local community foundation or play.jouer@communityfoundations.ca.

Contacts

none

Frequently Asked Questions about the Free to Play Program

What is the Free to Play?

How much funding can be received?

Free to Play Funds up to $150,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Free to Play program?

To be eligible for the Free to Play program, you must: Organizations must serve communities in Canada through a participating community foundation. Projects must take place in Canada within the area served by a participating community foundation. Projects must support the objective of Free to Play.

What expenses are eligible under Free to Play?

Access to outdoor spaces and materials. Training and support for caregivers, educators, and community members. Supportive policies and tools that make outdoor play easier to include in programs and help manage risk. Community engagement involving families, caregivers, and community members to understand and support outdoor play and risk. Cross-sector partnerships that expand outdoor and land-based play opportunities for children in communities.