The Grant Program
Since 2008, the GoodLife Kids Foundation’s Grant Program has provided funds to support physical activity programs for kids and youth offered by organizations across Canada. Over the years, the Grant Program has provided almost $4 million in funding to over 500 organizations – ultimately providing physical activity opportunities for almost 260,000 kids and youth across Canada. This funding program was put on hold in March 2020 due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on ongoing fundraising for GoodLife Kids Foundation.
The Grant Program provided insight into the lack of funding and support for accessible physical activity programs for kids and youth with autism and intellectual disabilities. The pandemic further exasperated this issue and it was the catalyst for expediting the creation of MOVE by GoodLife Kids in November of 2020.
With funds that have been raised for GoodLife Kids Foundation, the MOVE by GoodLife Kids Program has been offered for free to families. The program began, and continues to be delivered virtually, with 16 programs currently offered. We are excited to announce that in 2023, we are introducing MOVE as an in-person program along with the virtual format.
From the beginning, MOVE has been designed to adapt to individual needs of each participant. This means offering the program in a variety of ways, locations, as well as adapting each class in order to support all participants.
GoodLife Kids Foundation is focused on bringing the MOVE by GoodLife Kids Program to more youth across Canada. This includes directing funds raised to support program growth. For this reason, the Board of Directors of GoodLife Kids Foundation has determined that the Grant Program has concluded in order to focus our resources where we can make the greatest positive impact on the youth and families we serve.
We are grateful for the many organizations we have had the opportunity to work with and learn from throughout the Grant Program. In fact, a number of these organizations are now MOVE by GoodLife Kids Program partners – with MOVE classes being offered to the families they serve. Organizations such as Autism Ontario, Janus Academy, Down Syndrome Association of Ontario, and Autism Services of Saskatoon just to name a few.
You can learn more about MOVE by GoodLife Kids Program here. Organizations interested in learning how to bring MOVE to the families they serve may contact us at move@goodlifekids.com