Angela Crowther, Director of KidSport BC, leads a province-wide effort to ensure no child is left on the sidelines due to financial barriers. Through a confidential grant program, KidSport helps families cover sport registration fees—opening doors to the physical, mental, and social benefits that come from play and participation. Under Crowther’s leadership, the organization has seen remarkable growth, funding seasons of sport for over 10,000 kids in 2024 across 233 communities, totalling more than $3.6 million in registration fees.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
At KidSport, we believe sport powers kids. Getting in the game ignites a sense of belonging, shapes character, fuels better health, builds confidence and unleashes potential. But the cost of registration fees can be a barrier for many families. Through a confidential application process, KidSport provides grants for kids from families facing financial barriers to help cover the cost of their sport registration fee so they can experience the joy of a season of sport. Last year (2024), we funded a season of sport for 10,695 kids in 233 communities across BC, totalling more than $3.6M in registration fees. This marked a $1M increase from 2023 and more than doubled the total from 2022, reflecting a growing need from families across the province.
What problem does it aim to solve?
The inequitable access to sport that exists because many families don’t have the resources to cover the costs. We know there are many benefits to participation for kids for both their physical and mental health, and leaving kids on the sidelines who are already in vulnerable situations just widens the gap of inequity in our society.
When did you start/join it?
The KidSport program was launched in 1993 by Sport BC to help address the challenges many families face when registering their kids in organized sport. Today, there are KidSport programs in 11 provinces/territories across Canada. I personally joined the organization in 2021.
What made you want to get involved?
As a former high-performance athlete (softball), I believe deeply in the value of sport and know the impact that my experiences training and competing have had in my life. Sport has such a special way of bringing our communities together and fostering so many valuable skills for our kids and youth, and cost shouldn’t be a reason that a child doesn’t get to play. In addition, I have worked in the non-profit space for the past 18 years, and this position allowed me to blend my passion for sport with my non-profit experience.
What was the situation like when you started?
When I first started, sport was just making its return after being shut down during the pandemic, and there had been a large turnover in the sector. Our application volumes were slow in many communities, and we put a lot of effort into building referral networks to reach families who could benefit from our support. Ensuring families were aware of our organization and the support available was a primary focus.
How has it changed since?
Skip to just a few years later, and we have seen tremendous growth in the number of grant applications we receive from families in need. Our grant totals doubled in two years between 2022 and 2024, reaching new record distribution totals for the program ($3.6M in 2024), and we’ve had to shift our focus to fundraising to keep up with the growing demand. We have a very small staff team and rely greatly on volunteers at local chapters across the province to drive most of our fundraising. The continued need to increase fundraising results in line with the growing demand has been a challenge.
What more needs to be done?
The value of sport for kids and its importance to our communities cannot be understated. We need to value the role it plays in our society and the long-term benefits that come from a strong foundation in sport. Ensuring that sport is accessible for ALL is so important. I’d love to see sport prioritized as part of a preventative health strategy for our youth and more funding allocated to this undervalued sector.
How can our readers help?
Donate online. Volunteer with us – help sell 50/50 tickets at Vancouver Whitecaps home games (must be 19+), or fundraise – whether you host your own event, or fundraise online, we’re here to help. You can create your own online fundraising page here.
Do you have any events coming up?
KidSport is the charity partner for the Vancouver Whitecaps 50/50. We have draws for every home game for the rest of this season. Tickets are available here. The Vancouver chapter will be hosting its annual Gift of Sport Online Auction in early December.
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Instagram | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
Take a Hike Foundation.
