Creating Lasting
Impact, Together

Nike has been a foundational partner in Lay-Up’s work, helping us invest in community, elevate women and girls in sport, and contribute to the development of one of the most important parts of a young person’s sport experience: their coach.

Together, we have trained and certified more than 150 youth coaches, developed Lay-Up’s Coach Guide and resources, and advanced our approach to coaching girls across all of our programs. 

The development of sport spaces and experiences designed to empower and include women and girls in sport marks another priority in this partnership that has transformed the impact of Lay-Up’s work. This initiative has laid the foundation for the development of Sky High, a program where  girls get to play, coach and lead.

This partnership has helped us reimagine what belonging in sport can look like. From Nike jerseys for every participant to sports bras and sports hijabs, equipment has become a strategy to ensure young people feel seen, supported and belonging when they step onto the court. Alongside intentional coaching education, empowering women and girls in sport, and investment in the community, Nike’s partnership has been instrumental in delivering sport for positive outcomes.

Sun Life is a transformational partner in Lay-Up’s commitment to advancing youth inclusion, health and wellbeing through basketball. Together, we are creating opportunities for all young people to move, build confidence and develop healthy habits that extend beyond the court.

A defining part of our partnership is the establishment of Sky High, developed to address barriers contributing to girls dropping out of sport. Sky High creates welcoming, girls-focused spaces where participants build basketball skills, confidence, friendships and a lifelong relationship with physical activity. Since the program’s early beginnings, girls’ participation across Lay-Up has grown from just over 21% to 55%, while Sky High has expanded into year-round programming, leagues and tournament experiences.

Building on that impact, our partnership has expanded through Fuel for Life, equipping youth with practical, culturally-relevant nutrition knowledge and skills to build healthy habits for life.

The Aune Foundation is one of Lay-Up’s longest-standing funding partners, investing not only in our programs, but in our ability to grow and strengthen as an organization.

Their support has helped Lay-Up build the infrastructure, capacity and team needed to grow sustainably and reach more young people across Toronto. Aune was the founding partner of our City-Wide 3x3 Tournament, an initiative designed to support Lay-Up’s fundraising and organizational growth while creating an unforgettable day of basketball, connection and celebration for young people across our communities.

Through years of flexible, capacity-building support, the Aune Foundation has helped strengthen the organization behind our programs, allowing Lay-Up to build our foundation and grow our reach while continuing to create meaningful experiences for young people.

Over the years, AMDF has invested in our programs, people and capacity, supporting Lay-Up as we strengthened our model, expanded our impact and prepared for what comes next.

Today, that partnership has reached a new chapter through AMDF’s Transform Grant, supporting Lay-Up in taking our learning beyond our own programs through knowledge-sharing across the broader sport-for-development sector.

Together, we are working to advance sector-widechange by developing and sharing coaching resources and training, supporting peer organizations, building cross-sector partnerships, and addressing structural barriers to access. The goal is bigger than growing Lay-Up. It is helping strengthen the systems around youth sport so more young people can benefit, no matter whose jersey they wear.

The Michael Young Family Foundation (MYFF) has been a key partner in helping Lay-Up respond to the growing need for cost-free youth sport across Toronto.

As demand for our programs has grown and our waitlists have nearly doubled, MYFF has grown its support alongside us, helping Lay-Up expand programming and reach more young people in communities where barriers to sport are greatest. Their investment helps us secure gyms, grow programs and turn more spots on a waitlist into opportunities for young people to get on the court.

Together, we are expanding access to the consistent programs, trusted coaches and supportive spaces that help young people build the skills, confidence and relationships that prepare them for their futures.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart has been part of Lay-Up’s story since the beginning. Since 2013, their support has helped us remove barriers to sport and create opportunities for young people to experience everything that can come from being part of a team.

Today, Jumpstart supports Lay-Up’s school-year and summer programming, helping more than 1,000 young people each year access cost-free basketball in their communities. Their investment also supports annual coach training, helping ensure young people are surrounded by coaches who can create positive, supportive experiences on and off the court.

For more than a decade, our shared belief in the power of sport has helped turn access into something bigger: opportunities for young people to learn, grow and build the skills and confidence they can carry into their futures.