Wheelchair Basketball Canada’s “Wheelchair Basketball for All” (WBFA) Grant is a catalyst for growth, dedicated to identifying and supporting programs across Canada that promote the expansion and sustainability of wheelchair basketball through pathways of connectivity, partnership building and widespread engagement.
The purpose of the grant is to motivate applicants to cultivate new/reimagine the scope of current wheelchair basketball programs to deliver quality, inclusive, accessible, and safe sport experiences, with a focus on increased participation, partnerships and retention in the sport.
The Wheelchair Basketball for All Grant will fund 10 different projects up to a total of $5,000 each. Projects will be reviewed and selected as they are received. If 10 projects are selected before the stated application deadline, the application portals will close.
We know applying for grants takes a lot of time and energy. We want to make this process easy and accessible for all wheelchair basketball clubs and partners. Check out the Application Details section below and apply through either stream.
Please ensure you complete all areas of the application accurately and contact Kathleen O’Nyon, WBC’s Membership Coordinator, if you have any questions.
APPLICATION DETAILS
To submit your project, please use one of the application streams outlined below:
1. Online form
Applicants can submit their projects by filling out an online application to be reviewed by WBC. If you choose to apply through this stream, APPLY HERE.
2. Consultation
Applicants may present their projects to WBC in a 30-minute virtual meeting. If you wish to pursue this process, please email Kathleen O’Nyon with a suggested date and time to present.
In both streams, you will need to provide the following:
1. Project overview
2. Project timelines
3. Expected results
4. Budget
5. Potential partners
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Projects will be reviewed and selected on an ongoing basis for the duration of the intake period. If 10 projects are selected before the application deadline, the application portals will close.
EARLY APPLICATION INTAKE OPENS: JANUARY 26, 2024
- This date ONLY applies to wheelchair basketball clubs that participated in Wheelchair Basketball Week.
GENERAL APPLICATION INTAKE OPENS: JANUARY 29, 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 16, 2024
PROJECT COMPLETION: MARCH 31, 2024
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The WBFA grant requires projects to be based in, and performing services in Canada.
WBC recognizes the diverse range of delivery partners providing parasport programming across Canada. Applications will be accepted from the following organizations but must include a registered Canadian wheelchair basketball club as a primary applicant or partner organization:
- Registered wheelchair basketball clubs.
- Provincial Sport Organizations.
- Academic institutions and non-profit and/or not-for-profit organizations, programs, and initiatives partnering with a WBC recognized wheelchair basketball club.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
The WBFA Grant will fund new programs, as well as pre-existing programs that have been re-developed to meet WBC’s strategic objectives.
Examples of eligible projects include the following, but are not limited to:
- Initiatives that target participation from new demographics in Canada.
- Development and execution of “Try It” events, focusing on the first-contact stage.
- Initiatives that leverage new/existing partnerships to enhance program capacity and delivery.
- Marketing initiatives for the purpose of expanding participation.
- Introducing wheelchair basketball into new spaces.
- Initiatives that promote wheelchair basketball as a leading parasport in Canada.
- Initiatives that highlight the physical, psychological and lifestyle benefits of wheelchair basketball.
- Initiatives that encourage regional and/or provincial collaboration within the sport.
- Initiatives that build a program-to-club pathway to increase the number of registered participants in wheelchair basketball clubs.
- Initiatives that produce legacy tools for ongoing use in communities.
*Special consideration will be given to projects that:
- Facilitate increased participation from women and girls.
- Promote inclusion and increase opportunities for sport participation for equity-deserving groups.
- Actively engage with WBC and its mission to commit to excellence in the development, support, and promotion of the sport.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
The WBFA grant is designed to fund new pathways and partnerships that support the growth and sustainability of wheelchair basketball programs.
The WBFA grant will NOT fund the following expenses:
- Equipment
- Multi-sport programs
- Travel for teams to/from events
- Personal items
- Pre-existing debt
- Pre-existing, routine programming
GRANTEE COMMITMENTS
Once selected for funding, grant recipients must commit to completing the following requirements:
- Ensure program leaders complete CAC Safe Sport Training.
- Partner with WBC in the planning and delivery of the program.
- Execute the proposed project in line with the application.
- Providing a Final Report outlining the impact of the project.
- Providing a Final Budget with corresponding receipts.
WBC COMMITMENTS
WBC commits to working with each applicant for the duration of the project to support in the following key areas:
- Strategic communications
- Registration
- Post-project analysis
- Program sustainability planning
Q&A
WBC will hold two, 30-minute virtual Q&A sessions for applicants on February 1, 2024. The first session will run from 4pm-4:30pm (EST) and the second from 7pm-7:30pm (EST). For those who wish to attend, join the meeting at your chosen time by clicking here.
ABOUT WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CANADA
Mission
Wheelchair Basketball Canada (WBC) is committed to excellence in the development, support and promotion of wheelchair basketball programs and services for all Canadians.
Strategic Objectives
WBC’s strategic objectives are to provide the leadership and resources required to drive the growth and development of the game through increased participation, pathways and partnerships, and consistent competition.