Resilient, Inspire, Strength and Engage

Getting active and creating life changing experiences for Children and Youth in and out of Care

The Province of British Columbia and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) believe in the power of sport, physical activity, recreation, and culture.  They build strong individuals and healthy communities by creating a sense of belonging, developing life skills, and self-confidence.  However, the reality is that financial pressures mean many children and youth are unable to participate in sport, recreation, physical activity and cultural opportunities. These financial pressures are heightened for children and youth in and from government care.

The RISE Grant is open to ALL children and youth (under the age of 27) who have been formally placed in Care outside the parental home in British Columbia, regardless of ancestry who wish to participate in a sport, physical activity, recreation, and/or cultural program opportunity.

RISE Grant Intake Periods

The RISE Grant will be open to receive applications for 4 quarterly intake periods:

  1. Spring/Summer – April (2025 now CLOSED)
  2. Summer/Fall – July (2025 now CLOSED)
  3. Fall/Winter – October
  4. Winter/Spring – January

The next intake for the RISE Grant Program will open for applications on October 1, 2025, and will remain open until the quarterly application limit is reached.

  • Only applications submitted with complete and sufficient documentation will be processed.
  • Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Once the limit is reached, the application portal will close for the remainder of the season.
  • Applications submitted but not reviewed before the limit is reached will not be approved, even if they meet eligibility criteria.
  • All applications must be received prior to, or at the beginning of the requested activity.  Applications submitted after the activity has concluded will not be reviewed.

Once an application has been submitted online, processing may take up to 30 days to receive a reply. 

Eligibility

For a youth to be eligible for a RISE grant, they must meet the following criteria:

  1. Currently or previously designated a placement out of the parental home by B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Agency Legal Status, or the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Child in Home of Relative program or a Local Legal Partner Agency*
  2. Currently reside in British Columbia
  3. Under 27 years of age at the date of application
  4. Require funding to support my participation in sport, physical activity, recreation and/or cultural programs.

*Legal Statuses include:

Adoption, Continuing Custody Order with a Director, Extended Family Plan, Interim Custody Order with a Director, Interim Custody Order with person other than a parent, Permanent Transfer of Custody Order with person other than a parent Special Needs Agreement, Temporary Custody Order, Temporary Transfer of Custody Order, Under the Guardianship of a Director – Adoptions Act, Under the Guardianship of a Director – Infants Act, Voluntary Care Agreement, Youth Agreement

RISE Grant Details

  • Maximum eligibility of funding is $800 per individual per fiscal year (April 1st to March 31st)
  • There are 4 application intake periods per fiscal year
  • Applications must be received prior to activity starting but no more than 3 months prior unless desired program registration is already open
  • Youth are eligible to be funded for multiple activities within the fiscal year, up to a maximum total of $800

Grant applications can be submitted for the following:

1) Program Fees

Participant/Registration fees for organized sport, physical activity, recreation, and cultural activities.  Activities timelines can range in length from weekend, one week, 12-week programs or ongoing activities that take place throughout the year.

2) Equipment Cost

The purchase of equipment to support a program activity including but not limited to: sport equipment required to participate, activity shoes, sport accessories, or other specialized clothing (e.g. Traditional clothing), etc.

3) Travel Cost

Where travel outside of the community of residence is required to participate, reimbursement of fuel or transportation costs. Round trip must exceed 50km.

(Note: Accommodation costs are not eligible)

Please note: RISE Grants will not retroactively fund activities, equipment purchases or transportation costs.

Travel Reimbursement Grid

Activity Length Over 50 km Over 75km Over 100km
Weekend to one-week activities $25 $40 $50
Up to 12-week program activities $100 $200 $300
Seasonal program participation $250 $350 $500

 

Grant Distribution

  • Approved registration fees for program activities will be paid directly to the organization delivering the activity unless alternative arrangements have been made with the grant manager.
  • Approved equipment and travel costs will either be paid directly to the approved participant or the equipment supplier.
  • The Grant funding must be utilized by the participant and only for the activities approved in the application. No portion of the Grant funding may be transferred to another individual.

Grant Review

I·SPARC reserves the right to audit and follow up with Applicants on their experience with the program. Applicants receiving funds for programs, equipment, and/or travel may be required to provide proof of purchase and/or participation.  Receipts and records for activities must be kept for up to one year from the date of the activity for which funding is granted.

Please note that should it be discovered, through audit or other means, that funding received under this Grant program was utilized for activities other than approved spending, I·SPARC reserves the right to recover the Grant funding allocated to recipients by any legal means available.

For questions and inquiries please contact:

Grant Manager risegrant@isparc.ca