Canada Basketball announced the return of its UNIFIED Assist Program on December 17, confirming that expressions of interest are now open for non-profit organizations seeking funding to expand basketball access for underserved youth in 2026.
Since launching in January 2023, the program has distributed more than $500,000 across 40+ community organizations, processing over 600 applications from coast to coast. The initiative targets barriers preventing participation among marginalized, underserved, and under-represented youth across Canada.
Key Takeaways
- $500,000+ in funding distributed to 40+ non-profit organizations since the program launched in January 2023
- 600+ applications received from community programs across Canada over the past two years
- Three development pathways available: Youth Coaching/Officiating, Youth Sport Leadership, and Youth Basketball Skill Development
- February 1st deadline for expressions of interest at 11:59 PM ET, with grant recipients announced in Spring 2026
- Automatic development pool access for all applicants, providing ongoing Canada Basketball support regardless of funding outcome
Eligibility and Program Structure
Organizations must hold registered charity, non-profit, or not-for-profit status to apply. Métis, Inuit, and First Nation communities or bands also qualify. Programs must be scheduled for 2026 and align with one of three Canada Basketball development pathways.
The Youth Coaching and Officiating Development pathway supports continued education for coaches, officials, and community leaders. This includes NCCP/NOCP training and certification, Safe Sport Training, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training. Canada Basketball works with provincial and territorial basketball organizations plus grassroots partners to deliver these developmental resources.
Youth Sport Leadership Development recognizes basketball’s impact beyond on-court play. This pathway funds programs creating opportunities for youth to engage with sport through creative design, photography and videography, sport management, youth mentorship, music, fashion, technology, social justice, and entrepreneurship.
The Youth Basketball Skill Development pathway invests in organizations delivering basketball programming and experiences for youth. Canada Basketball prioritizes programs in underserved regions and initiatives serving girls and women. Eligible activities include house league programs, skill development clinics, Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Programs, and summer camps.
Application Review and Selection Process
A diverse Canada Basketball selection team reviews all applications using a scorecard assessing three criteria: organization structure, program information, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts addressing barriers for equity-deserving youth.
All applicants automatically enter the UNIFIED Assist Program development pool, granting access to ongoing Canada Basketball development support and experiences regardless of whether they receive grant funding. Top-scoring applicants receive financial support through UNIFIED Assist Program grants.
Canada Basketball contacts successful applicants confidentially in early March 2026, with public announcement of recipients following in Spring 2026.
Grant Recipient Requirements
Organizations selected for funding must complete three commitments. First, they must finish safe sport training. Second, if applicable, they must register for the Canada Basketball Verification Program. Third, they must submit a grant impact summary report after program completion.
The verification program and impact reporting requirements align with Canada Basketball’s broader mission to make basketball safer, more accessible, more equitable, and more impactful in communities across the country. As Canada’s national governing body for basketball, recognized by FIBA and the Government of Canada, the organization oversees development from grassroots participation through high-performance international competition.
Strategic Context for Youth Sports Operators
The UNIFIED Assist Program represents a multi-year investment model in community basketball infrastructure. The $500,000+ distribution across 40+ organizations over two years suggests average grant sizes in the $12,000 to $15,000 range, though Canada Basketball has not published specific funding tiers.
The 600+ application volume against 40+ funded organizations indicates roughly a 1-in-15 success rate, making application quality and alignment with development pathways critical factors. Organizations serving girls and women or operating in underserved regions receive explicit priority consideration in the skill development pathway.
The automatic development pool access for all applicants creates a tiered support system. Organizations not receiving grants still gain access to Canada Basketball resources, potentially positioning them for future funding cycles. This approach builds long-term relationships with community programs rather than treating grant distribution as a one-time transaction.
The February 1st deadline and Spring 2026 announcement timeline gives funded organizations approximately two to three months of advance notice before programming launches, requiring applicants to have operational plans ready for quick execution upon funding confirmation.
About the UNIFIED Assist Program
The UNIFIED Assist Program works to identify and support community programs and initiatives focusing on increasing access to the game by assisting to remove barriers organizations are facing within underserved, under-represented or marginalized communities across Canada by providing financial support, as well as opportunities for development through Canada Basketball alignment programs.
Organizations that are not selected for grant support will be placed in the UNIFIED Assist Program Development Pool, where they will still be eligible for ongoing support and development through various Canada Basketball alignment programs such as NCCP and NOCP certifications, the Jr. NBA program, the Canada Basketball Verification Program and Safe Sport training. Community groups in the Development Pool will also be considered potential unmatched experiences offered through Canada Basketball.
Looking Ahead
Canada Basketball’s continued investment in community programming through the UNIFIED Assist Program signals sustained focus on addressing access barriers at the grassroots level. The program’s expansion from its 2023 launch, processing 600+ applications and funding 40+ organizations, demonstrates demand for financial support among community basketball programs nationwide.
The three-pathway structure allows Canada Basketball to support both traditional on-court development and off-court leadership opportunities, broadening the program’s impact beyond player skill development. This approach recognizes basketball’s role as a platform for youth engagement across multiple disciplines.
Organizations interested in applying can access program information and submit expressions of interest through Canada Basketball’s website. The foundation also accepts donations to support its mission of fostering safe, diverse, equitable, and inclusive basketball opportunities across Canada.
via: Basketball CA
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