Ottawa, ON — Community Foundations of Canada has officially opened applications for Free to Play, a landmark $32M initiative designed to build a movement of outdoor play for children across the country.
Free to Play calls on communities to help drive a cultural shift that brings free, outdoor play back into the everyday lives of children. The initiative invites applicants to imagine bold, joyful, community-driven ideas that help children climb, splash, build, explore, and play their own way while strengthening the social fabric of families and communities.
Free to Play is fueled by the shared commitment of participating community foundations, the Waltons Trust (whose $16 million investment seeded the program), the Lawson Foundation, and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. With this strong momentum in place, we’re now inviting others to join us.
Starting today, eligible groups can apply to bring outdoor and land-based play to life. Projects will increase opportunities for outdoor play, reduce barriers that limit outdoor play, strengthen children’s wellbeing and confidence, and contribute to a long-term shift that recognizes outdoor play as essential to childhood.
“When children play outside, communities grow stronger and belonging deepens,” said Andrea Dicks, President of Community Foundations of Canada. “With intake now open and community foundations leading locally, we are ready to build outdoor play moments that expand imagination, build confidence, and help spark a movement across the country to get children outside.”
Andrea Dicks, President, Community Foundations of Canada
A National Challenge Facing Community
Children who once climbed trees, splashed in puddles, and roamed their neighbourhoods now spend more time in front of screens and in structured activities. Screen time continues to increase, with fewer than 40 percent of children getting enough physical activity in their day.
These shifts impact children’s wellbeing, resilience, and sense of belonging. Free to Play responds with scale, investing in solutions that create the time, space, and freedom for children to play their own way and rebuild a culture of outdoor play across Canada.
Rooted in Local Leadership
Free to Play is powered by local leadership. Each participating community foundation brings deep knowledge of local context, relationships, and community priorities.
Alongside leading local granting, community foundations will also engage donors and fundraise to grow Free to Play in their communities. They will work with local experts, from outdoor play specialists to early childhood educators, nature educators, and recreation leaders, to deepen community awareness of why free, outdoor play matters and how it can transform community wellbeing.
These efforts help build momentum toward reshaping the future of childhood and shifting cultural norms around play, exploration, and connection.
Explore Participating Community Foundations today.
How to Apply
Applications open on November 28, 2025, at 9:00 AM PST. Eligible applicants include registered charities, non-profits, Indigenous Governing Bodies, and incorporated non-profits. Review the Applicant Guide and submit your application by February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM PST.
What’s Next
To learn more about Free to Play and why outdoor play is essential to children’s development, join our webinar on December 10, 2025. Register here.
To stay connected, explore partnership opportunities, or join the growing national conversation about rebuilding playful, connected communities, reach out to us.
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About Community Foundations of Canada
Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) is the national leadership organization for Canada’s over 200 local community foundations. Together with community foundations across the country, CFC helps drive local solutions for national change on the issues that matter most to Canadians. CFC is building a movement that connects community foundations, Canadians and partners to create a just, sustainable future.
Media Inquiries:
Hannah Munshi
Strategic Project Lead, Community Foundations of Canada
hmunshi@communityfoundations.ca
Partnership Inquiries:
Nancy Perry Dossous
Director of Partnerships, Community Foundations of Canada
514-653-8622
ndossous@communityfoundations.ca
