Hydro One and Coaches Association of Ontario Launch 2026 Community Coaching Grant Applications
Community Coaching Grant Ontario Program Supports Youth Sports
TORONTO — Coaches Association of Ontario and Hydro One have opened applications for the 2026 Community Coaching Grant, a funding initiative aimed at helping community coaches and sport organizations manage rising youth sport costs across Ontario.
The grant program offers eligible coaches and sport organizations up to $1,000 to support expenses including equipment purchases, facility improvements, safety training, and coaching workshops.
According to the organizations, the program has invested more than $200,000 over the past five years into projects focused on making sport safer, more inclusive, and more accessible throughout Ontario.
Rising Costs Continue to Impact Community Sports
The initiative comes as many coaches and community organizations continue facing financial pressures tied to organized sport participation.
Data from the Ontario Coaching Report cited in the announcement states that more than 70 per cent of coaches in Ontario volunteer over 600 million hours annually, while more than half report out-of-pocket expenses as a significant barrier to participation.
Sport organizations are also facing recruitment challenges, with more than 65 per cent reporting difficulty finding enough coaches each year.
“This grant continues to provide support for coaches and organizations working to make sport safer, more inclusive, and more accessible across Ontario,” said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director of the Coaches Association of Ontario.
“Coaches are the backbone of community sport and reducing financial barriers is critical to retaining the dedicated volunteers who make positive sport experiences possible.”
Previous Grant Recipients Highlight Community Impact
Among last year’s recipients was Samara Glazer, co-founder of Nurturing Youth Excellence, who said the funding helped support a basketball and wellness program for girls from low-income households.
According to Glazer, the grant allowed the organization to purchase equipment and deliver Safe Sport workshops focused on mental wellness and injury prevention.
Applications Open Until June 5
Applications for the 2026 Community Coaching Grant are now open online and will close on June 5, 2026. Recipients are expected to be notified in August.
The grant forms part of the Safe Sport 101 initiative, a partnership launched in 2020 between Hydro One and the Coaches Association of Ontario to provide coaching education and safety resources for community sport programs.
The Safe Sport 101 platform includes free eLearning modules, downloadable resources, coaching research, and additional grant opportunities aimed at supporting safer and more inclusive sport environments across the province.
Community Sports Remain a Key Youth Development Tool
The funding initiative arrives as many GTA families continue navigating rising participation costs tied to youth sports, including equipment, registration fees, travel, and facility access.
Community organizations across Ontario have increasingly emphasized the importance of reducing financial barriers to ensure broader youth participation in sports and recreation programs.
This article is based on information provided by the Coaches Association of Ontario and Hydro One and has been prepared for publication by GTA Today.
GTA Today covers youth, education, and community initiatives impacting families across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario.
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