Eligibility
Free to Play was created to support open-ended, adventurous play that helps kids thrive and communities come together.
Eligible Organizations
Organizations must:
- Serve communities in Canada.
- Be one of the following:
- A Qualified Donee (registered charity with CRA, including Indigenous-serving charities).
- A Non-Qualified Donee (incorporated non-profit, federally or provincially registered; or Indigenous-serving organizations, communities, or organizations recognized under provincial/federal lists)
Notes on Eligibility:
- Local chapters of provincial/national charities may apply if they have their own accounting and governance. Multiple chapters can apply if they are distinct legal entities.
- Activities must take place within the catchment area of a participating community foundation.
Ineligible Organizations:
- For-profit organizations
- Unincorporated nonprofits
- Municipalities and entities controlled by a municipality, including municipal governements, regional governments, and regional districts
- Business non-profit institutions, including business associations, chambers of commerce and condiminium associations
- Individuals
Activities
Projects must:
- Take place in Canada, within the geographic area of a participating community foundation
- Support the objectives of Free to Play
Examples of Eligible Activities:
- Programs: Forest play activities, loose-parts adventure programs, cultural-rooted play initiatives, caregiver workshops on risky play.
- Spaces: Reimagined play spaces with natural features, play streets that host cultural gatherings, play equipment libraries for families.
- Research & Storytelling: Youth-led storytelling campaigns, applied research to redesign underused spaces, municipal advocacy for play-friendly design, Elders and youth co-developing traditional or inter-generational play programming.
Ineligible Activities:
- Activities outside Canada
- Events that are inaccessible to the community they intend to serve
- Major capital activities, including building infrastructure, purchasing land or buildings or playground infrastructure
- Partisan, political or election-related activities
- Buying playground equipment without an accompanying program or activity plan, or buying equipment that doesn’t encourage nature-based or outdoor play.
- Activities that generate a profit
- Activities that benefit only private interests
- Activities that undermine, restrict or infringe on human rights legally protected in Canada
- Pure research without an applied outcome
- Sponsorship, endowment funds, and donations
- Activities which are religious or include a requirement to participate in any dimensions of faith
- One-day/short-term events without lasting impact
Expenses
Eligible Expenses:
- All expenses must benefit the project you are applying for:
- Expenses can begin 2026, and can continue for up to three years as long as all activities are completed by 2028
- Staff salaries and employment-related costs
- Contractors and fees for professional services
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
- Travel expenses
- Training and events
- Rent
- Gift cards
- Honorariums
- Transit passes
- Administration
Ineligible Expenses:
- Costs incurred before January 2026 or after December 2028
- Expenses unrelated to the project
- Activities, projects or services carried out or provided outside of Canada
- Purchasing land or buildings, real estate fees and related costs
- Political expenses supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office
- Capital renovations or repairs of premises used exclusively for religious observance or practice
Interested in joining the participatory cohort? Contact us at Harry@sjfoundation.ca for more information.
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