Established in December 2009, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) Foundation funds youth programs and helps to refurbish local athletic facilities. MLSE Foundation believes that all youth should have the opportunity to participate in sport. The foundation states that parents spend an average of $579 each year on sport, making it unaffordable for low-income households. Further, less than 10% of Ontario’s youth are getting enough physical activity. Since 2009, MLSE Foundation has spent $35 million on programs and grants that align with their four impact areas: healthy body, healthy mind, ready for school, and ready for work.

MLSE Launchpad represented 67% of program spending in F2019. MLSE Launchpad is a 42,000 square foot facility in Toronto with one large gymnasium, three classrooms, a rock-climbing wall, a teaching kitchen, and a wellness room. MLSE Launchpad offers free sport, life skills, and employment training programs for youth aged 6-29. In F2018, the foundation provided 55 weekly programs and 6,072 program hours to its 3,716 members.

Community grants represented 20% of program spending in F2019. MLSE Foundation grants up to $50,000 to Ontario-based organizations that meet certain criteria. Grantees must align with the foundation’s four impact areas and value diversity in their programming. Through Community Action Grants, MLSE Foundation has provided funding to 65 organizations. In F2018, the foundation invested $250,000 in community programs operating at Regent Park Athletic Grounds.

Community projects represented 8% of program spending in F2019. In partnership with other community organizations, MLSE Foundation operates three main community programs. Hockey in the Neighbourhood runs every weekend from September through March and provides equipment and on-ice instruction to youth aged 6-12. KickStart Soccer is a nine-week program led by community coaches that help youth increase friendships and improve soccer skills. Beyond the Rim Basketball is a mentorship program for high-risk communities in Scarborough. The program empowers local high school students to act as mentors and coaches in academics and basketball.

Community space projects represented 5% of program spending in F2019. The program aims to reinvigorate community spaces through community-led space design. In F2018, MLSE Foundation collaborated with the City of Toronto to refurbish Sir Adam Beck Rink and launch a girls’ Hockey in the Neighbourhood program.

MLSE Foundation is a Large charity, receiving $11m in donations and special event revenue in F2019, up 90% from $5.8m in F2018 largely due to a $4.6m increase in deferred donations. The charity also received donated goods-in-kind worth $173k in F2019, down from $325k in F2018. Net lottery revenue was $1.7m in F2019 down from $2.0m in F2018.

Administrative costs are 1% of revenues and fundraising costs are 16% of donations. For every dollar donated, 83 cents go the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. Funding reserves of $7.9m can cover 1.3 years of annual program costs.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to MLSE Foundation for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 10, 2020 by Tenzin Shomar.