Sport funding empowers Indigenous communities in Ontario by increasing access to recreation, building local capacity, and promoting wellness through culturally grounded activities. ISWO’s Community Sport Fund (CSF), supported by the Government of Canada, provides grants to Indigenous organizations for programs that use sport as a tool for social development, community connection, and positive change.

What Is ISWO's Community Sport Fund?

The Community Sport Fund (CSF) is a core initiative under ISWO’s Well Nation program. It's designed to increase opportunities for participation in sport, recreation, and physical activity across Indigenous communities in Ontario. More than just funding games and exercise, the CSF supports community capacity-building, wellness promotion, and the reduction of behaviours that can have long-term negative consequences.

The fund is backed by the Government of Canada under STREAM 1 of the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) initiative. Its ultimate goal is to achieve meaningful social development outcomes through culturally grounded activities that support overall wellness.

Why Does Access to Sport and Recreation Matter for Indigenous Communities?

Sport and recreation are powerful tools for community development. They bring people together, foster leadership, and create safe spaces for youth and adults alike. For remote and rural communities where organized sport opportunities may be limited, and for large urban Indigenous populations facing barriers to participation, the CSF serves as a lifeline.

By making sport and physical activity more accessible to people of all ages and abilities, the CSF helps communities:

• Increase participation in organized sports and recreation
• Build local capacity to deliver more and better programs
• Promote wellness through culturally relevant activities
• Encourage positive social behaviours and outcomes

What Types of Programs Are Eligible for Funding?

The CSF takes a broad view of “sport.” Any activity that includes a physical component and is chosen and supported by the community can be eligible. Recreation and physical activity programs, when designed to meet community needs, are valued just as highly as traditional sports.

To qualify, projects must demonstrate how they will:

• Create new or continued sport participation opportunities
• Increase the number of people involved in organized sports
• Build the community’s ability to deliver more or better programs
• (For Stream 2) Encourage and enhance the participation of Indigenous women and girls in sport at all stages of life

Who Can Apply for the Community Sport Fund?

The CSF is open to a range of Indigenous organizations and groups in Ontario, including:

• First Nation, Métis, or Inuit community associations
• Established Indigenous youth groups
• Indigenous not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous governing bodies or authorities
• Not-for-profit organizations, clubs, and associations that work directly with Indigenous communities

All activities and programs must take place in Ontario. ISWO reviews each application for eligibility.

What Are the Two Streams of Funding Available?

The Community Sport Fund offers two distinct funding streams to meet different community needs.

Stream 1 supports broad community sport and recreation programming. It aims to build capacity, enhance safety and wellbeing, and reduce negative behaviours within communities.

Stream 2 specifically supports initiatives that encourage the participation and retention of Indigenous women and girls in sport. Building on the goals of Stream 1, it focuses on inclusion at all stages of life.

When Can Communities Apply for the Next Round of Funding?

The application period for the 2025 fund closed on April 1, 2025. Communities can look forward to the next round of funding, with dates for the 2026 fund to be announced in the fall of 2026.