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How to Apply for the Women & Girls Sport Fund

The Women & Girls Sport Fund is open every year in late November and early December.

The Women & Girls Sport Fund (WGSF) is an initiative by Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO) under its Women & Girls program. This fund aims to empower Indigenous women and girls through sport, recreation, and physical activity, while addressing social development needs in their communities.

The fund for 2025-2026 is open until Friday, December 5 at 5:00 PM EST. Access the online application form here.

About the Fund

The WGSF supports projects that use sport as a tool for social change, focusing on improving health, education, employability, and reducing at-risk behaviors. It encourages culturally grounded activities that promote wellness for Indigenous women and girls of all ages and abilities.

The fund is supported by the Government of Canada under the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities (SSDIC) initiative, administered by Sport Canada.

Objectives

The WGSF aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action by addressing four social development needs:

  • Improved health
  • Enhanced education
  • Increased employability
  • Reduced at-risk behaviors

Projects should aim to:

  • Increase participation in sport and recreation
  • Build leadership opportunities for women and girls
  • Provide necessary equipment and resources
  • Strengthen community connections
  • Promote holistic wellness and empowerment

Application Details

Deadline: All applications for 2025-2026 must be submitted by December 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.

Funding Amount: Eligible applicants can apply for up to $5,000. Special conditions may apply for unique projects and will be reviewed individually.

How to Apply: Applications can be submitted online at https://www.iswo.ca/women-girls-fund.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply:

  • First Nation, Métis, or Inuit community associations in Ontario
  • Indigenous women and girls or youth groups in Ontario
  • Indigenous not-for-profit organizations in Ontario
  • Indigenous governing bodies or provincial/territorial organizations in Ontario
  • Not-for-profit organizations in Ontario working with Indigenous communities

Eligible Projects:

Projects must focus on sport, recreation, or physical activity for Indigenous women and girls. Examples include:

  • New or expanded sport programs for women and girls
  • Leadership training for female coaches or instructors
  • Programs addressing safety, accessibility, or cultural wellness
  • Initiatives promoting lifelong sport participation

Eligible Expenses:

  • Program costs (equipment, space rentals, promotional materials)
  • Honoraria for instructors or facilitators
  • Training costs for staff
  • Project-related administration (up to 10% of total funding)

Ineligible Projects and Expenses:

  • Capital projects (construction, renovations)
  • High-performance athlete training or competitions
  • Activities outside Ontario
  • General operating expenses (salaries, rent)
  • Political or religious activities

Application Process

  1. Review Guidelines: Read the WGSF Application Guidelines to ensure eligibility.
  2. Complete Application Package: Include the Application Form, Letter of Support, and any required documentation (e.g., status card, references).
  3. Submit Application: Applications must be submitted by email or mail. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

For more information or to access the application form, visit https://www.iswo.ca/women-girls-fund.