TORONTO (March 31, 2026) – Canada Basketball announced the 16 2026 UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipients today. These recipients will each receive funding to support the continuation of programs that work to grow the game of basketball nationwide at the community and grassroots levels.

In collaboration with funding partners of the Government of Canada’s Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI) and Nike’s Made to Play program, Canada Basketball will distribute over $160,000 in grants to organizations in over 13 cities across 8 provinces and territories that prioritize delivering inclusive and safe sport programming in the areas of youth basketball skill development, youth sport leadership, or coaching and officiating development.

“The UNIFIED Assist Program reflects our commitment to growing the game in ways that matter— expanding access, advancing equity and strengthening communities across Canada,” said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO, for Canada Basketball. “Now in its fourth year, the initiative continues to drive meaningful change by supporting organizations that are breaking down barriers and building inclusive pathways to the game from coast to coast to coast.

“With grant recipients spanning communities across the country, we’re proud to stand alongside grassroots leaders who are helping shape a future that reflects our ambition to be Best in World and Best for Canada.”

Canada Basketball launched the UNIFIED Assist Program in 2023 to support non-profit community programs and initiatives developing inclusive and equitable youth opportunities through sport. Since its inception, Canada Basketball and its partners have awarded over $600,000 in grants to community basketball organizations from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

The UNIFIED Assist Program works to identify and support groups focused on increasing access to the game by assisting organizations in removing barriers they face within underserved, underrepresented, or marginalized communities from across the country.

Canada Basketball is proud to announce the 2026 UNIFIED Assist Program grant recipients:

Amherst Minor Basketball Association (Cumberland County, N.S.)
Ball Her Way (Montréal, Que.)
Blue Thunderbird Family Care (Winnipeg, Man.)
CBO Cavaliers (Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, Que.)
Crossover Basketball (Winnipeg, Man.)
FN Basketball (Regina, Sask.)
Free Play for Kids (Edmonton, Alta.)
Grand Falls Minor Basketball (Grand Falls, N.B.)
Malton Sting Youth Basketball (Mississauga, Ont.)
Mississauga Minor Basketball Association (Mississauga, Ont.)
Nepean Blue Devils Basketball (Ottawa, Ont.)
Niagara Falls Red Raiders Basketball (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
Play Forever (Victoria, B.C.)
Prince Albert Basketball Officials (Prince Albert, Sask.)
Tla-o-qui-aht Development Club (Tofino, B.C.)
Youth Stars (Montréal, Que.)

Funding provided to groups through the UNIFIED Assist Program will support ongoing on-court sport initiatives empowering tomorrow’s starting line-ups through inclusive basketball programming, while supporting the growth of the game through coach and officiating development. Grants distributed in partnership with Nike will prioritize supporting programs that aim to welcome, serve, and empower more girls and women in basketball in underserved or underrepresented regions.

Canada Basketball received a total of 121 UNIFIED Assist Program applications from community groups and organizations across the country for this window. Organizations not selected for grant support enter the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they are eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training.

For additional information on the UNIFIED Assist Program, to learn more about future application windows, or to contribute to the growth of the game, visit basketball.ca.