‍TORONTO, Ont. (January 30, 2023) – Canada Basketball announced Monday the relaunch of the Canada Basketball Foundation™ with a renewed focus on removing access barriers and continuing to grow the diversity and equity of the game at the community grassroots level.

“Relaunching the Canada Basketball Foundation™ with a redefined purpose and focus is an integral next step for our organization as we continue working towards unifying the country through the sport of basketball,” said Michael Bartlett, President & CEO of Canada Basketball. “Over the course of the last year, Canada Basketball has left a lasting impact on community groups across Canada through both funding and support. We look forward to continuing to develop meaningful and purpose-driven partnerships with organizations and individuals who share our values and vision of bringing more basketball to those who need the game the most.”

The Canada Basketball Foundation™ is committed to unifying Canada as a basketball nation by supporting community groups whose priorities include developing inclusive and equitable opportunities for youth through sport, with a focus on increasing access for underserved, under-represented or marginalized communities.

The Canada Basketball Foundation will look to support community groups who align with Canada Basketball’s UNIFIED 2024 commitments to foster equitable, diverse and inclusive youth basketball programming, and align with at least one of the following development pathways: 

Coaching and Officiating

In support of the guardians of our game, the coaches, officials and community leaders, the Canada Basketball Foundation™ is committed to providing support to development programs, such as continued education and training for coaches and officials.

Youth Sport Leadership

Canada Basketball Foundation™ is committed to supporting programs and initiatives which aim to pave new pathways for our youth to engage with basketball off the court, through social participation, culture, and the business of sport.

Youth Basketball Development

A priority to invest and support programs  who empower the next generation of starting line-ups through the delivery of high quality, sustainable and inclusive basketball programming and experiences for youth, with a particular emphasis on programs supporting girls and women who have a #madlove for the game.

Today, the Canada Basketball Foundation launched the UNIFIED Assist Program which will work to identify and support non-profit community programs and initiatives focusing on increasing access to the game by assisting to removing barriers organizations are facing across Canada through financial support, as well as opportunities for development through Canada Basketball alignment programs, including Canada Basketball’s Verification Program, Jr. NBA Youth Basketball, Safe Sport, and NCOP/NCCP certifications.

“There are countless organizations across Canada currently delivering grassroots community-based basketball programming, or with the dream of one day launching an impactful initiative of their own,” said Sheron Lau, Chair, Canada Basketball Foundation™ Board of Directors.  “Not only do we want to be able to support their efforts financially, but the UNIFIED Assist Program will also provide leadership and guidance to truly bring those aspirations to life together.”

In order to be eligible to receive support through the UNIFIED Assist Program, organizations must be a registered charity, nonprofit or not-for-profit organization, program or initiative, and/or Metis, Inuit or First Nation community/band with a program running between June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2024.

Interested organizations and programs are encouraged to submit an expression of interest application ahead of the deadline on March 19, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

For additional details on the UNIFIED Assist Program and to apply for support, click here.

Last year, Canada Basketball and the Canada Basketball Foundation™ impacted the lives of over 5,000 youth from more than 100 community groups across the country through basketball, while also distributing over $65,000 in grants to grassroots organizations and programs with a shared commitment of using basketball as a powerful tool to unify Canadians coast-to-coast-to-coast.

For more information on the Canada Basketball Foundation™ and to donate to help support the organization’s mission to foster safe, diverse, equitable and inclusive basketball opportunities for youth across Canada, visit basketball.ca/foundation or click here.

ABOUT CANADA BASKETBALL

Canada Basketball is the National Sporting Organization for the sport of basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball is respected worldwide and is recognized by the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Government of Canada as the sole governing body of the sport of amateur basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball, a not-for-profit organization, represents all basketball interests, provides leadership, coordination and direction in all areas of the sport of basketball.

ABOUT CANADA BASKETBALL FOUNDATION™

The Canada Basketball Foundation™ is a registered charitable organization dedicated to unifying Canada as a basketball nation by supporting safe, equitable, and inclusive basketball programming. Working directly with Canada Basketball, the Canada Basketball Foundation aims to remove access barriers in community organizations who are focused on delivering programs related to coaching and officiating, leadership and skill development, and serving underrepresented or historically racialized youth across Canada.