LeadForward Grant

The LeadForward Grant: Advancing Balanced Representation in Sport aims to strengthen balanced leadership for female coaches, officials or organizational staff throughout B.C. by supporting their training, education, and policy development opportunities.

Through this grant, viaSport is interested in supporting organizations that understand how actively developing diverse and inclusive leaders is fundamental to delivering positive sport experiences.

This grant will fund up to $2,000 to local, multi or provincial sport organizations for training, educational or policy development activities that advance leadership opportunities for female leaders in sport.

Who can apply?

Applications may be submitted by:

• Affiliated Local Sport Organizations.
• Recognized, Accredited or Affiliated Disability Sport Organizations.
• (Accredited) Multi-Sport Organizations.
• Recognized, Accredited or Affiliated Provincial Sport Organizations.

What can the grant be used for?

Funds can be used for professional development opportunities that involve:

• Training
• Education
• Policy development

Organizations that consider engaging both men and women in activities, where appropriate, will also be considered. Only activities taking place before March 31, 2025 are eligible to apply.

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.