LeadForward Grant

The LeadForward Grant: Advancing Balanced Representation in Sport supports organizations that are ready to take action to address structural and cultural barriers that impact the participation and leadership of women and gender-diverse people in sport.

Through this grant, viaSport aims to support organizations that recognize that developing inclusive leaders and creating equitable systems is fundamental to delivering positive sport experiences. Strong applications will demonstrate a clear strategy, readiness to act, and a commitment to creating lasting change within their organization.

This grant provides up to $5,000 to 8 eligible sport organizations to implement initiatives that advance gender equity and strengthen balanced representation in sport leadership.

Who can apply?

Organizations are eligible if they are currently designated by viaSport and fall into one of the following categories:

• Accredited by viaSport
• Recognized by viaSport
• Affiliated with viaSport

It is anticipated that more applications will be received than can be funded. Only eligible applications will be reviewed.

What can the grant be used for?

Funding will prioritize organizations that demonstrate a clear connection between identified barriers, planned actions, and intended outcomes, with a focus on sustainable change.

Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Leadership development initiatives
• Mentorship and networking programs
• Policy, practice, and process development
• Governance and organizational improvements
• Board training and learning opportunities
• Community engagement and consultation activities
• Recruitment, retention, advancement, and leadership pathway initiatives
• Projects that increase the representation of women and gender-diverse individuals in leadership roles

What are reviewers looking for?

Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate how the proposed project aligns with an existing strategy, plan, consultation process, or identified organizational priority.

Strong applications will demonstrate:

• A clear understanding of the barriers, challenges, or opportunities affecting women and gender-diverse people in leadership roles within your sport
• A well-defined action plan that addresses identified needs
• Meaningful and measurable outcomes
• Organizational capacity and readiness to deliver the project
• A commitment to sustainable, long-term change
• A plan to measure success and learn from the project

Equity and Inclusion

Applicants are encouraged to consider the diverse experiences of women and gender-diverse individuals and how barriers may be shaped by intersecting identities, including race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, disability, age, income, geography, and sexual orientation.

Eligible Timeline

Grant guidelines and applications will be posted in September 2026.

Only activities taking place before October 30, 2027 are eligible for funding.

Grant Statistics

The LeadForward program has an annual budget of $15,000, awarded across two intakes. With approximately 32 applications seeking funding per intake and approximately seven applications awarded funding in each intake, the expected success rate is approximately 20%. The average funding request is $2,000, while the average amount awarded is $800.

For 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26, this grant received additional funding from the Province to bring its annual budget to $40,000 for those years.