We are introducing a new funding program this year – the Team Up Foundation Fund with grants of $200,000. Beginning January 3, 2012, Ontario charities can begin submitting their online applications for support of:

Sports and recreational based programs for youth - OR -
Facilities that support youth sports and recreational programming and are in need of refurbishing

Four charitable organizations will each receive $50,000. The general public will vote to determine the charities which will be reviewed by the Team Up Foundation's Grants Committee. After a short list is selected by the Committee, the public will again have an opportunity to vote on the most deserving projects/programs. Get ready to engage your supporters to help you make it through to the final round for a chance to receive a $50,000 grant!

TIPS TO GET STARTED:

Application Process

1. All charitable organizations interested in applying for the Team Up Foundation Fund will have to fill out an online application form, which will also allow you to upload photos and a brief flip-cam video related to your submission. Some of the information required includes:

a. Charitable organization general information (such as mission)
b. Description of project being submitted for funding
c. Goals of the project/community benefit
d. Breakdown of project cost

*** please note that all submissions must fit our mandate of engaging children and youth through sports and recreational opportunities

2. Applications must be submitted between Tuesday, January 3, 2012 and Friday, January 20, 2012
3. Charitable organizations can only submit one (1) project to the Team Up Foundation Fund

Eligibility Criteria

1. The project proposal must be directly associated with and submitted by a registered charitable organization as designated by the Canada Revenue Agency.
2. The project proposal must be submitted by an employee at the registered charitable organization associated with the project proposal.
3. The charitable organization associated with the project proposal must be located in Ontario and must serve children in Ontario.
4. The project should provide or support sports and recreational-based programming for youth in Ontario and/or have a recreational facility that requires financial assistance in Ontario.
5. The project should promote physical activity amongst youth in Ontario.
6. The project proposal can only be a one year funding commitment by the Team Up Foundation Fund. Multi-year funding proposals will not be accepted.

Voting Process

1. The Team Up Foundation Fund will open up to public voting beginning on January 30, 2012. Charitable organizations are encouraged to engage their supporters and spread the word about their application.
2. Voters will be permitted to submit one vote per day.
3. First round of voting will close on February 20, 2012.
4. The Top 20 project proposals (based on votes received) will be selected for review by the Grant Committee.
5. The Grant Committee will select the Top 10 projects for the next phase of public voting. This will occur between February 20, 2012 and March 2, 2012
6. The final round of voting will open on March 7, 2012. Again, charities are encouraged to engage their supporters and spread the word about their application and that they are in the running for one of four $50,000 grants.
7. The final round of voting will close on March 16, 2012. The top four (4) charitable organizations who have received the most votes will each receive $50,000 for their project proposal.
8. The final four (4) will be announced on March 20, 2012.

Click here to go to the Team Up Foundation Fund page for the full rundown on the program including all Terms and Conditions as well as the complete application outline.  The online application will open on January 3rd, 2012.

** Please direct all questions regarding the Team Up Foundation Fund to tuf@mlse.com  Phone call inquiries will not be accepted.