Financial Resources

Financial Support For Families

The Huntsville Hawks are committed to helping athletes and their families stay informed about the financial assistance options available within our community. A number of organizations provide support for youth sport registration, equipment, and participation expenses.

We encourage families to review the resources below to learn more about the funding opportunities that may be accessible to them.

KidSport Ontario

The Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) is proud to be a sport partner of KidSport Ontario. With a network of 18 local chapters, KidSport Ontario provides grants to help cover the costs of enrolment so that all kids aged 18 and under in Ontario can play a season of sport.

  • KidSport Ontario is a non-profit organization recognized by local sports organizations, schools, and community services as a resource available for under-resourced families to help get their children to participate in organized sport at the grassroots level. KidSport Ontario is a program of KidSport Canada, a registered Canadian Amateur Athletic Association (CRA # 86212 5986 RR0003).

  • 1 in 3 children and youth aged 3 to 17 do not participate in any form of organized sport and cost represents the primary barrier. KidSport Ontario supports children who need financial assistance with sport registration fees and equipment costs. We believe that the power of sport participation promotes the development of children's social, mental and physical well-being. Through increasing access to quality sport programs, KidSport strengthens communities across Canada.

    The children KidSport Ontario supports include new Canadians, children with disabilities, First Nations children, children from single-parent households or single-income households, and children from families living on social assistance.

  • Through partnership initiatives and fundraising efforts, KidSport Ontario provides grants of up to $250 per child per calendar year to under-resourced families across Ontario. Through a confidential application process, applicants may apply to KidSport Ontario either online or with a paper application form.

    Grant applications must be supported by proof of need - a recent CRA Notice of Assessment and three consecutive pay stubs for each adult in the home. The grant application requires the sport club/program information and family contact information. If the applicant is approved, the funding is sent directly to the sports club to ensure confidentiality and anonymity. Equipment requests must be accompanied by an equipment quote (unpaid receipt) from a sport retailer that will accept third-party cheques.

    KidSport Ontario provides funding for children and youth to participate in a sport program that runs a minimum of 8 weeks in length and is a member of its respective provincial sport organization, ensuring kids experience a sustainable sport program, taught by qualified coaches.

    Online and downloadable paper applications can be found here: https://kidsportcanada.ca/ontario/provincial-fund/. Our team is available by email at info@kidsportontario.ca or by phone at (416) 899-9106 for any questions applicants may have.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart

Canadian Tire Jumpstart offers grants that assist with the costs of getting kids aged 4–18 involved in sport and physical activity, helping more children participate in a season of lacrosse.

  • Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charity that helps kids overcome financial barriers to participating in sport and physical activity. Through its Individual Child Grants program, Jumpstart supports families so children aged 4–18 can register in safe, inclusive sport programs—regardless of financial circumstances. Jumpstart works with local community chapters across Canada to ensure kids have access to meaningful activities that promote physical health, confidence, and social development.

  • Jumpstart is committed to removing financial obstacles that prevent kids from getting active. Many families face challenges that make sport participation difficult, and Jumpstart provides assistance to help cover registration fees, equipment needs, and other participation-related costs.

    Funding is available for sustained programs that involve sport or physical activity and meet minimum duration requirements (at least five weeks long, or five consecutive days for camps). Grants can support children from diverse backgrounds, including newcomers to Canada and families experiencing financial or social hardship.

    Jumpstart grants may provide up to $600 per child per year, with a maximum of $300 per application, depending on local chapter capacity.

  • Families can apply online through a secure Jumpstart account. Applications should be submitted before the program start date, and all families must meet financial eligibility requirements based on Revenue Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICO).

    To apply, families will need:

    • Contact and household information

    • The child’s basic details (name, date of birth, etc.)

    • Program information (program name, dates, cost, and organization name)

    • A clear, current copy of their Canada Child Benefit (CCB) Statement as proof of financial need

    In exceptional circumstances—such as recent immigrants or families fleeing abuse—alternative documentation may be accepted.

    If approved, funding is sent directly to the sport organization to ensure privacy and smooth registration.

    Apply and learn more here:
    https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/pages/individual-child-grants

Affordable Access to Recreation

The Town of Huntsville offers an Affordable Access to Recreation program that provides reduced rates or free access to eligible recreation programs and facilities for low-income residents. This program may help cover a portion of registration fees for lacrosse programs offered at the Canada Summit Centre, helping more children and families participate in sport.

  • Affordable Access to Recreation is a Town of Huntsville program designed to ensure that all residents have equitable access to recreation and leisure opportunities, regardless of financial circumstances. The program supports low-income individuals and households by providing financial assistance for eligible recreation programs delivered directly by the Town.

  • The Town of Huntsville is committed to enhancing quality of life by providing inclusive, accessible, and age-friendly recreation opportunities for all residents. The Affordable Access to Recreation program helps address cost as a primary barrier to participation in organized sport and recreation.

    Through this program, eligible children and youth may receive free or reduced-cost access to registered recreation programs, supporting physical activity, skill development, and community connection in a safe and welcoming environment.

  • Applications for the Affordable Access to Recreation program are administered directly by the Town of Huntsville.

    Applicants must meet residency and household income eligibility requirements and provide documentation to demonstrate financial need. If approved, the subsidy is applied through the Town’s recreation registration system and may be used toward eligible programs offered at Town facilities.

    Full program details, eligibility requirements, and application information can be found on the Town of Huntsville website here.

    Families with questions are encouraged to contact the Town of Huntsville Recreation Department at 705-789-1751.

ISWO – Power 2 Play Fund

The Power 2 Play Fund, offered by Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO), provides funding to support access to sport and physical activity opportunities for Indigenous children, youth, and communities across Ontario. The fund may help offset costs associated with participation in organized sport programs, including lacrosse.

  • The Power 2 Play Fund is an ISWO funding initiative that supports Indigenous-led and community-based sport and recreation programs. The fund is designed to reduce financial barriers and increase access to safe, inclusive, and culturally relevant sport opportunities that promote physical activity, wellness, and community connection.

  • ISWO believes that sport and physical activity play a vital role in supporting physical, mental, emotional, and cultural well-being. The Power 2 Play Fund aims to empower Indigenous communities by investing in programs that encourage participation, skill development, and lifelong engagement in sport.

    Funding supports initiatives that promote community wellness, strengthen connections, and create positive sport experiences for Indigenous participants across Ontario.

    Through this program, eligible children and youth may receive free or reduced-cost access to registered recreation programs, supporting physical activity, skill development, and community connection in a safe and welcoming environment.

  • Applications for the Power 2 Play Fund are administered directly by Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO).

    Eligible applicants must meet ISWO’s criteria and submit an application outlining their program or initiative. Funding decisions are made by ISWO through a review process, and approved funding is provided directly to support eligible sport and recreation activities.

    Full program details, eligibility requirements, and application information can be found on the ISWO website here.