First Contact Fund

The Canadian Paralympic Committee would like to thank all of those who completed the evaluative survey for the 2010-11 Para-Equipment and First Contact Funding round. We have received lots of great feedback and we have taken your recommendations into consideration as we prepare the next round.

Online Application NOW AVAILABLE! CLICK TO APPLY - or read on for more application general information, tips and guidance!

Sample Application Form with Tips & Suggestions from the Review Team

Click to download! (Word .doc)

How to resubmit if you are a returning applicant

Thank you for your continued interest in the funding support that the CPC offers. The 2010-11 funding rounds received a higher-than-usual number of applicant organizations and unfortunately, many applications had to be turned down. As we indicated in our allocation notices, applicants would have the chance to resubmit their applications and/or keep them on file for future rounds, with a chance to address any new questions or processes that arise from annual program review and changes. There have been two notable changes to process:

How to apply: Applicants must use the online electronic intake form that will be accessible from our website (to follow) and then email the required attachments, rather than submit a Microsoft Word application document
Equipment purchases: the process for applying for adapted sport equipment (such as a wheelchair basketball chair) or supporting program equipment (such as jerseys, pylons or padding to adjust the size of a hockey sled) has been broken out separately, with eligibility tiers – please refer to the program guidelines for additional detail

To resubmit, please copy your application information into the online electronic intake form that we have developed for submissions, and provide the remaining answers to questions as appropriate. Please contact Laura Ferris at the CPC if you would like a copy of your previous application form emailed to you to assist with this process.

What to do if my equipment supplier is not within North America

The Review Team prefers, where possible, to see applicants using suppliers/manufacturers from North America so that we may continue to boost ‘domestic’ parasport growth. Additionally, this enables the Funds to be used towards the needed equipment purchases, and lowers the amount spent on shipping weights and distances. We recognize that in some cases, a Canadian or North American supplier does not exist – this will not negatively affect your application. Should you be unable to find a Canadian or North American supplier, please contact the CPC to consult past supplier lists and find one in your area. Should you know of a Canadian or North American supplier but prefer to use one overseas, you will need to provide a strong explanation for the preference. In doing so, please remember that the program guidelines state that finances for equipment from this funding opportunity are for basic introduction and recruitment into parasport; emphasis on high performance quality-level of equipment manufacturing will not be taken into consideration.

A successful parasport system begins with increased awareness and recruitment of participants at the grassroots parasport level

A sport cannot have a Podium full of athletes without a playground full of participants. In order to facilitate increased participation of Canadians with a disability at the ‘playground’ level, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is offering two funding initiatives;

The Recruitment Programs Fund (previously known as the First Contact Fund, established in 2010-11)
The Para-Equipment Fund (established in 2005-06)

These funding initiatives will be offered annually during the month of February.

The CPC is investing in recruitment programming and parasport equipment because sport opportunities for people with a disability are not always well known. Additionally, someone who acquires a disability may have no knowledge of parasport whatsoever. The CPC sees a recruitment program as an opportunity to inform individuals of the range and depth of activities in which they can participate, sometimes in a new form of the sport that they were previously engaged in, and to provide ways for them to experience those activities. Sports only have one opportunity to create a positive ‘first impression’ of the sport environment for prospective Athletes with a Disability. It may not be easy for them to make the first approach to a sport, and research shows that if they don't have a positive first experience, they may be lost to the sport and to having a healthy lifestyle.

The Recruitment Programs Fund (RPF) is made possible through financial contributions from Sport Canada and the CPC. The Para-Equipment Fund (PEF) is made possible through financial contributions from Sport Canada, Petro-Canada and the CPC.

The 2011-12 funding initiatives will award a total of $400,000 in grants for both summer and winter sports affiliated with the CPC. 1-3 grants will be made available for parasports not on the IPC Paralympic Games programme.

Applicants may apply to either the RPF or the PEF, or both. National Sport Organizations however, are excluded from applying solely for Para-Equipment Funding.

How do I apply?

An application form in Microsoft Word format has been provided (below) to assist with your planning process. When ready, applicants are to submit applications electronically, using the online interactive software link is provided below. Applicants are NOT to submit the Microsoft Word copy of the application form however it is provided below for users to begin drafting their responses.

Applications for a Recruitment Programs and/or Para-Equipment Funding grant must be received no later than midnight (EST) on September 28th, 2011.

Online interactive application form - Click to go to online form
Microsoft Word application form - Click to download .doc
Program guidelines - Click to download .doc

CONTACT

The following CPC staff is available for your application questions until Friday, September 23, 2011.
Laura Ferris
225 Metcalfe Street, Suite 310
Ottawa, ON, K2P IP9
Tel: 613-569-4333 x233
lferris@paralympic.ca

BACKGROUND

About the Recruitment Programs Fund (RPF):
The RPF is intended to support the creation of a new program, or go towards the expansion of an existing successful initiative providing a positive introductory parasport experience. Activities at this stage of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) programming include elements of general, overall development, with basic elements, movements and rules of the sport. This generalized physical activity approach ensures physical literacy upon which excellence can be built by promoting quality daily participation. When considering a recruitment initiative it is important to recognize that programming concepts are not unique to participants; a strong and sustainable parasport system requires targeted and positive first contact with coaches, officials and volunteers as well. Funds may be used towards enhancing program options, such as facility rental space, coaching, volunteer training and more.

About the Para-Equipment Fund (PEF):
The PEF aims to assist local and provincial organizations in delivering recruitment programming. It is designed to facilitate the participation of an increased number of people with a disability in parasport by expanding the availability of introductory-based equipment, particularly for first contact and equipment loan programs. The allocation of funds is awarded based on a two-tier system. Tier I refers to adaptive equipment used by the individual to participate in parasport (e.g. sit-ski or hockey sledge). Tier II refers to mainstream sport equipment (e.g. standard skis or a basketball), as it is less cost-prohibitive than adaptive equipment. Tier II equipment is only funded if there are funds remaining after the allocation of grants for Tier I equipment. Equipment that does not fit within either Tier I or Tier II (such as radios, foam padding, or wireless timing gates) is no longer considered eligible under the Para-Equipment Fund, and should be applied for under the Recruitment Programs Fund.