Intact Olympian Impact

The Intact Olympian Impact program is a national program designed to empower Team Canada Olympians to lead meaningful, community‑driven initiatives across Canada in line with Team Canada 2035. With this program, active and retired athletes can leverage their experience, leadership, and platform to foster ethical and safe podium dreams, empower positive and healthy play for youth, and contribute to a sustainable planet.

The program honours initiatives led by Team Canada Olympians who embrace their legacy to strengthen their local communities. The program aims to advance the goals of Team Canada 2035 by fostering podium dreams, empowering positive and healthy play for youth, and contributing to a sustainable planet. Building on an established framework, Intact’s contribution will allow the program to reach more Canadians and have an even greater impact from coast to coast to coast.

Together, the COC and Intact Insurance believe in the legacy of Team Canada Olympians and in how they collectively contribute to elevating the Canadian sport system through their communities, while driving positive sport outcomes across the country for years to come.

2026 Timeline

AUGUST 6, 2026	SEPTEMBER 7, 2026	FALL 2026	FALL 2026 – FALL 2027
Application opens	Deadline to apply	Recipient selection	Project execution

Program Details & Eligibility

The Intact Olympian Impact program supports Olympian‑led initiatives that generate positive, lasting community impact through sport, aligned with Team Canada 2035 and one or more of the Podium, Play, or Planet pillars.

The program prioritizes non‑profit projects; however, for‑profit initiatives may be considered where the primary purpose is community benefit rather than private gain, and where the project demonstrably aligns with the program’s strategic objectives.

Program Structure

Intact Olympian Impact
Target: New and growing athlete-led initiative, project and/or organization – Olympians starting new initiatives – Team Canada Olympians working with existing registered non-profits demonstrating community impact – Established athlete-led programs
Grant Amount: $1k-25k
Investment timeframe: 1 year
Terms & References

Alignment with Team Canada 2035

Pillar	Team Canada 2035 Outcome	Intact Olympian Impact Focus
Podium	Becoming a Top 5 nation by combined medal count at both Summer and Winter Olympic Games.	Strengthen the sport system and support the athlete journey
Play	Inspiring and engaging 1-million more young people to participate in organized sport.	Improve accessibility, encourages inclusivity and diversity among youth and communities at all levels of sport
Planet	Championing climate action to preserve our sporting environments.	Promote and support carbon emission reduction, governance strengthening, transition facilitation and climate action advocacy.

Supporting Team Canada 2035

Every project supported by the program advances Team Canada 2035 priorities – strengthening the sport system, increasing youth participation, and preserving sporting environments.

Eligible applicant(s) must:

Be an active or retired Team Canada Olympian in good standing with their National Sport Organization;
Comply with the values of the Olympic Charter, the World Anti-Doping Code, and the COC Code to Address Maltreatment in Sport and the COC Code of Ethics.
Be actively involved in the vision, leading, planning, and execution, not just a figurehead
Be a founder, an employee, a partner, a volunteer, an investor, or an advocate to/for the initiative, and be genuinely involved in the initiative
Repeated funding eligibility is at the discretion of the Selection Committee.

Eligible projects or initiatives selected must:

Align with at least one Team Canada 2035 pillar:
- Podium: Becoming a Top 5 nation by combined medal count at both Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
- Play: Inspiring and engaging 1-million more young people to participate in organized sport.
- Planet: Championing climate action to preserve our sporting environments.
Align with COC and Intact values, and Olympic principles

Demonstrate a clear concept with defined target outcomes and a rationale
Have defined and measurable objectives and a budget
Demonstrate the applicant’s capacity and availability to implement and manage the project
Take place in Canada
Be completed within the program timelines (one year per reception of the grant)
Repeated funding eligibility is at the discretion of the Selection Committee.
Be completed within the program timelines (one year per reception of the grant)

Ineligible projects or initiatives:

Personal athlete training, competition and/or travel costs
High-performance sport programming delivered by NSOs
Fundraising events or campaigns

How to apply

Get in touch with our team

Evaluation criteria

General:

*Criteria*	*Description*
Project Objectives	Degree to which the project aligns with Team Canada 2035 priorities and selected pillar (Play, Podium, Planet)
Clarity of Measurable Outcomes	Defined objectives, KPIs, and ability to measure success
Positive Impact & Contribution	Extent to which the project creates meaningful change and impact aligned with the pillar
Reach, Engagement & Promotion	Scale and depth of engagement with target groups/territories/audience & general promotion plan
Program Continuity and Future Opportunities (Legacy of the program)	Is the project sustainable (i.e. permanent or recurring) and intended to leave a lasting legacy in the community. (One-time projects will also be considered if evidence of a long-term positive impact on the community is demonstrated.)
Financial Strength & Value	Demonstration of responsible and impactful use of funds and value for investment
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion	Integration of inclusive practices and equitable access

Specific to the targeted pillar(s) of impact):

*PILLAR*	*Projects will be evaluated on how well they meet the specific objectives and requirements of the program category*
PODIUM	– Athlete Development: Contribution to enhance the long-term athlete development pathway – Enhance Sport System: Contribution to enhance the broader Canadian sport system – Safe Sport & Athlete Well-Being: Commitment to athlete safety, ethical conduct, and positive training environment
PLAY	– Youth Participation Growth: Contribution to increasing youth participation in sport – Accessibility & Inclusion: Reduction of barriers and inclusive access to sport – Impact & Community Reach: Engagement of communities in sport participation
PLANET	– Climate Action: Contribution to reducing or avoiding carbon emissions in the long term – Climate Governance: Mechanisms for climate governance and demonstrated leadership – Transition & Advocacy: Support for climate resiliency and transition of a sport and/or a community

Additional criteria:

*Criteria*	*Description*
Impact & Legacy: Project Feasibility & Impact within timeline	Likelihood the project can be successfully implemented and demonstrate early outcomes
Connection to the Canadian sport system: Partnerships & Ecosystem Contribution	Collaboration and contribution to broader sport or community ecosystem (Other organisation, other Olympians, etc.)

How to Apply & Start Application

Follow these three steps to submit your application for the Intact Olympian Impact program.

1. Review eligibility

Carefully review the eligibility criteria for both applicants and projects. Ensure you meet all requirements before beginning your application. Visit our Eligibility page for the complete list of requirements.

2. Prepare Your Application

Be prepared to develop a detailed project proposal that includes your objectives, target community, timeline, budget breakdown, and expected outcomes. Be sure to present an initiative that fits our criteria in the program structure.

3. Submit Your Application

Complete the application form below and submit all required documents through the online form.

Start Application

Need help? Check our FAQ or review the Terms & Conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Be actively involved in the vision, leading, planning, or execution, not just a figurehead
Be a founder, an employee, a partner, a volunteer, an investor, or an advocate to/for the initiative, and be genuinely involved in the initiative.

Yes. Applicants who were not selected in a previous cycle are encouraged to reapply.

This program is designed to prioritize and empower athlete-led initiatives, giving Team Canada Olympians the opportunity to lead meaningful community impact beyond the national sport system. As National Sport Organizations (NSOs) already benefit from dedicated funding through the COC and its partners, initiatives led or co-led by NSOs are not eligible.
Projects that involve Provincial or Territorial Sport Organizations may be considered, provided they remain athlete-led and meet all eligibility criteria, with each application assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. Applications can be submitted by individual Olympians or by teams of Olympians working together on a shared initiative. All applicants in a team must individually meet the eligibility criteria, and one must be designated as the primary lead.

Recipients receive funding, onboarding guidance, and support resources. They are expected to execute their project within the year, provide progress updates, and submit a comprehensive impact report upon completion.