Jays Care First Pitch Fund in Partnership with Their Opportunity
Want to register your kid for organized baseball or softball in your community this season? Apply to the Jays Care First Pitch Fund in partnership with Their Opportunity today!
The Jays Care First Pitch Fund in Partnership with Their Opportunity is a national initiative that helps reduce the cost of participation in organized baseball and softball. Rooted in Jays Care’s goal of creating opportunities for Canadian kids to grow through baseball, the fund provides eligible families with up to $350 per child to cover or offset their registration fees. By reducing financial barriers, the fund aims to open new doors to sport, increase access for kids facing barriers, and inspire a love for baseball and softball in communities across Canada.
How to Apply?
The Jays Care First Pitch Fund is delivered in partnership with Their Opportunity – a national children’s charity offering subsidies for grassroots sports since 2009. Families can apply for the Jays Care First Pitch Fund in 3 easy steps:
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Click ‘Apply Now’ to visit the dedicated Jays Care First Pitch Fund application portal managed by Their Opportunity.
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Register for an account.
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Create and submit a ‘New Application’ for each child you are applying for.
Eligability
The fund is open to all kids across Canada age 18 or younger and prioritizes support for those experiencing financial barriers. Their Opportunity uses the Low-Income Measure as a guide to assess financial eligibility and will also consider additional socio-economic barriers that affect a child’s ability to access organized baseball or softball.
All applications are carefully reviewed by Their Opportunity. Disbursements are awarded based on financial need, the availability of funding at time of review, and whether there is space within the desired baseball or softball league.
Application Requirements
The following information is required as part of your application:
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Child Information including name, age and gender identity
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Family Information including household size and household income.
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Proof of financial need: a copy of your Canada Child Benefit Statement or Notice of Assessment
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League Information including name, location and contact details for the baseball or softball league you would like to register for*
*Important Note: to secure your child’s spot in the baseball and softball league of your choice, families are strongly encouraged to register their child in the league before applying to this fund. Spots fill up fast and availability differs across provinces, leagues and age groups. Each league manages their registration process individually, and Jays Care and Their Opportunity cannot guarantee nor have any influence on availability within the league.
Find A League: If have not registered your child in a baseball or softball league, please be mindful that receiving financial assistance through this fund is dependent on registering with your preferred league. If would like support in finding a local league near you, please refer to this map.
Next Steps
Application Status: you will receive an email from Their Opportunity regarding the status off your application within 14 business days.
Disbursements: for successful applicants, all disbursements are paid directly to the baseball or softball league that you register for.
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If you have already registered and paid for your league of choice, a disbursement will be paid to league on your behalf so they can process a refund.
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If you have not yet registered for your league of choice, the disbursement is dependent on successfully registering into the league.
Our Why
Rising costs are preventing too many kids from playing and Jays Care is committed to playing a meaningful role in increasing access to baseball for Canadian kids.
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48% of families say sports are too expensive, making cost a top barrier to participation
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Families report that access to more financial assistance programs is the top factor in making spot more accessible
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93% of parents report positive impacts on confidence, empowerment, and social development
