Closed
Last Update: May 26, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 15,000
Timeline
- Closing date : October 26, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
Canadian Women & Sport’s Spotlight Grant supports community sport and physical activity initiatives for girls from underrepresented communities. Two funding levels are available: $5,000 and $15,000 for programs that remove barriers, build leadership, and strengthen gender equity and inclusion.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : October 26, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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
- Sports
- Other Recreation and Social Clubs
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Programs that keep girls participating in sport and physical activity
- Programs that increase girls’ leadership or representation
- Initiatives that strengthen gender equity and inclusion
- Cultural, land-based, play-based, and identity-reconnection programs
Documents Needed
- Business number issued by the CRA
- Organization contact information for two representatives
- Financial and budget information
- Application materials completed in the portal
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Community associations
- Non-profits
- Indigenous community organizations
- Community multi-sport organizations
- Community clubs or leagues
Who is not eligible
- Schools
- Municipalities
- Provincial and national sport organizations
- International organizations
- Individual applicants seeking personal use funding
- Initiatives serving communities outside Canada
Eligible expenses
- Venue costs
- Equipment and materials
- Marketing and communications
- Participant and leader training
- Travel, registration fees, staffing compensation, and data collection
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs incurred before September 2025 or after March 31, 2026
- Severance, bonuses, commission, and recruitment fees
- Entertainment costs, prize money, and awards
- Alcohol, cannabis, drugs, legal fees, tickets, and fines
- Investments, fund developments, and capital assets
Selection criteria
- Clarity of participant needs and barriers to participation
- Connection between the organization and the community served
- Quality of program design, accessibility, and safety
- Reasonableness of the budget
- Planning for challenges, impact, and success measurement
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the application guide and confirm eligibility
- Read the grant criteria carefully.
- Prepare the required organizational and financial information.
- Step 2: Gather application details
- Identify two organizational representatives.
- Prepare your CRA business number and budget information.
- Step 3: Complete the online application
- Create an account in the Submittable portal.
- Fill out the application and save your progress if needed.
- Step 4: Submit the application
- Review the application for completeness.
- Submit it through the online portal before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by at least two trained reviewers.
- Shortlisted applications are reviewed again by the Canadian Women & Sport selection team.
- Applicants are notified of the result by mid-November 2025.
- Accepted applicants must sign a funding agreement and provide financial information.
Additional information
- Applications are submitted through the Submittable portal only.
- Applicants may submit multiple applications, but can receive funding only once.
- Accommodation support is available if needed to complete the application.
- Recipients must acknowledge Canadian Women & Sport and the Government of Canada in communications.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Spotlight Grant Program
What is the Spotlight Grant?
Canadian Women & Sport’s Spotlight Grant supports community sport and physical activity initiatives for girls from underrepresented communities. Two funding levels are available: $5,000 and $15,000 for programs that remove barriers, build leadership, and strengthen gender equity and inclusion.
How much funding can be received?
Spotlight Grant Funds up to $15,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Spotlight Grant program?
To be eligible for the Spotlight Grant program, you must:
Community sport or physical activity organization
80% of participants from priority communities
CRA business number required
What expenses are eligible under Spotlight Grant?
Programs that keep girls participating in sport and physical activity
Programs that increase girls’ leadership or representation
Initiatives that strengthen gender equity and inclusion
Cultural, land-based, play-based, and identity-reconnection programs
Where is the Spotlight Grant available?
The Spotlight Grant program is available across Canada.
Who are the financial supporters of the Spotlight Grant?
Spotlight Grant is funded by Canadian Women & Sport