Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario and remote areas of Ontario can access up to $10,000 through Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario’s Northern and Remote Communities Recreation Fund (NRCRF). The fund supports new, existing, or expanded sport, recreation, and physical activity projects that increase participation, strengthen community programming, and support culturally grounded wellness.

What is the Northern and Remote Communities Recreation Fund?

The Northern and Remote Communities Recreation Fund is an Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) initiative that supports community social development through sport and recreation. It is specifically designed to serve Indigenous populations in Northern Ontario and remote communities across the province.

The NRCRF aims to remove barriers to participation, improve access to resources, and reduce at-risk behaviours. Projects that use culturally grounded sport, recreation, and physical activity to enhance overall wellness are strongly encouraged.

How Much Funding Can Eligible Organizations Apply For?

Eligible applicants can apply for up to $10,000 through the NRCRF. Funding supports new projects, existing programs, or expanded initiatives that address community social development needs through participation in sport, recreation, and physical activity.

ISWO determines the eligibility of each applicant, project, and project-related expense. Applicants should review the fund’s requirements before preparing their proposals.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for the NRCRF?

Eligible NRCRF applicants include Indigenous community associations, youth groups, governing bodies, and not-for-profit organizations in Ontario. Organizations that support organized sport delivery in collaboration with Indigenous communities may also qualify.

The following groups are eligible to apply:

• First Nation, Métis, or Inuit (FNMI) community associations located in Ontario.
• Established Indigenous youth groups in Ontario.
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations located in Ontario.
• First Nation, Inuit, or Métis governing bodies, or Indigenous provincial/territorial organizations or authorities in Ontario.
• Not-for-profit organizations, clubs, and associations in Ontario that directly influence organized sport delivery in Indigenous communities, in consultation and collaboration with those communities.

Although eligible organizations must be located in Ontario, the NRCRF specifically supports Indigenous populations in Northern Ontario and/or remote communities in Ontario.

What Must an NRCRF Project Demonstrate?

An NRCRF project must show how funding will create or sustain sport participation, increase Indigenous involvement in organized sport, and strengthen the community’s ability to deliver programming.

Applicants must explain how their projects will:

• Create or continue participation opportunities. Provide new or ongoing opportunities to participate in sport.
• Increase Indigenous participation. Grow the number of Indigenous participants involved in organized sport activities within the community.
• Strengthen community capacity. Enable the community to deliver additional or improved sport, recreation, and physical activity programs as a direct result of the funding.

Proposals are encouraged to demonstrate how culturally grounded activities will support overall wellness alongside these participation and programming outcomes.

How Do You Apply for the Northern and Remote Communities Recreation Fund?

To apply for the NRCRF, review the eligibility criteria on ISWO’s fund page and complete the online application form with accurate information about your organization and proposed project. ISWO reviews applicant, project, and expense eligibility, and staff follow up with eligible applicants.

Before submitting, make sure your proposal clearly explains who the project will serve, how it will increase participation, and how funding will strengthen community programming.

Visit the NRCRF page to review the fund details, view the application, and learn when the next funding window will be.