We’re excited to announce the recipients of Free to Play, a national, multi-year initiative led by Community Foundations of Canada to help get kids back outside. Childhood is changing, with more time spent on screens and fewer chances to climb trees, play with friends or explore more freely. This fund is about bringing back the time, space and freedom kids need to move, imagine, take risks and connect with others.
What makes this fund unique is its focus on community-led solutions that help remove barriers and make outdoor play easier to access, especially for children who need it most. From hyperlocal action to animating third spaces to building relationships among families and the broader community, these projects are helping create the conditions for kids to play their own way.
Each organization will receive between $20,000 to $150,000 to bring their ideas to life through 2028.
Take a look at the organizations and their projects below and consider how you can support their work as they bring more muddy shoes, big imaginations and outdoor adventures back to childhood across Toronto.
Charities
Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre
Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre is a multi-service community agency that provides inclusive programs and supports for children and families, particularly those facing barriers such as low income, newcomer status, or housing insecurity.
Their project, The Wonder Yard, integrates regular, unstructured outdoor play into after-school and camp programs in the west downtown neighbourhoods in Toronto, using local parks and urban forests to foster creativity, resilience and connection to nature.
Don’t Mess with the Don (DMWTD)
DMWTD works primarily within the communities bordering the Don Valley getting kids outside through free, hands-on outdoor programs that connect them with Toronto’s ravines, waterways and green spaces.
Their Paddle, WILD and Mountain Biking Camps offer nature-based camp opportunities for children and youth living in neighbourhoods surrounding the Don Valley, helping them build confidence and deepen their connection to the natural world.
Emmanuel Parish Celestial Church of Christ
Emmanuel Parish Celestial Church of Christ delivers free, community-based programs in North York for children and families, focusing on inclusive outdoor recreation, social connection and support for low-income and newcomer communities.
Their project Outdoor Play for Children brings outdoor play into after-school programs in the Humber River and Black Creek communities by creating safe spaces, training staff and helping families feel confident supporting children’s play.
Family Day Care Services
Family Day Care Services delivers early years and family programming that promotes inclusive, play-based learning and supports educators and families in child development.
Their project, Walking Together Through the Four Seasons, builds educator capacity in land-based and outdoor learning to expand year-round, child-led outdoor play for children and families in community parks throughout Toronto.
I Challenge Diabetes
I Challenge Diabetes empowers children and youth living with Type 1 diabetes across Toronto to lead active, healthy lives through supportive programming.
Their project expands outdoor play in camps by creating safe, inclusive environments where kids can build independence, resilience and confidence managing their health.
Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC)
A trusted Scarborough hub, MFRC delivers inclusive programs that support children and families through learning, play and community connections.
Their Play Forward project brings free, child-led outdoor play into neighbourhood parks in Scarborough North and Rouge Park, helping kids build confidence, resilience and a lasting sense of belonging outside.
Ontario Learning Development Foundation
Ontario Learning Development Foundation equips youth with leadership and child development skills to expand access to learning and recreation in underserved communities.
Their Play Leaders Toronto project trains youth in Rexdale to lead outdoor play sessions, creating more opportunities for safe, child-led play while building the next generation of community leaders.
Play Forever
Play Forever is a youth-focused organization that delivers community-based programming in Toronto priority neighbourhoods to build confidence, skills and positive relationships for children and youth.
Their project, Play Outside Forever, provides free weekly outdoor play sessions for children ages 8 – 13 in Weston and Jane & Finch communities, using guided but child-led activities to build confidence, social skills and long-term outdoor play habits.
Shining Through Centre for Children with Autism
Shining Through Centre provides evidence-based therapeutic programs in North York for children with autism, supporting their development, independence and wellbeing.
Their Beecroft Outdoor Play Capacity Project will build staff capacity and safety frameworks to unlock more meaningful outdoor play, helping children develop independence and confidence in real-world settings.
Nonprofits working in partnership with a registered charity
East End Arts
East End Arts is a community arts organization in Riverdale Park that transforms public spaces into vibrant, creative environments for children and families.
Their Winter Play project uses art installations, programming and family workshops to encourage newcomer families to embrace outdoor winter play and build confidence in year-round outdoor exploration among newcomer, refugee and immigrant families.
Trustee: Scarborough Arts is partnering with East End Arts for the Winter Play project.
Nonprofit Groups
You can support these organizations personally outside of your fund, although groups won't be able to give you a tax receipt for your donation.
8 80 Cities
8 80 Cities is a global nonprofit that works to make cities more equitable and accessible by transforming public spaces into safe, active and playful environments for people of all ages.
Their 8 80 Playbourhood project partners with Toronto Community Housing to co-design neighbourhood spaces that integrate unstructured outdoor play into daily life for children in underserved communities.
Black Moms Connection (BMC)
Black Moms Connection is a community organization that supports the wellbeing of Black mothers and families across Toronto through culturally responsive programming, community building and advocacy.
Their project, Mamas, Mentors & Me, pairs youth mentors with families in their neighbourhood, to create joyful, intergenerational outdoor play experiences that strengthen community connection.
Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers
Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers creates free, inclusive outdoor programs in Thorncliffe Park, turning community gardens into vibrant spaces for children and families to connect with nature.
Their project expands garden-based play programs giving kids hands-on, child-led experiences that build confidence, curiosity and a lasting connection to the natural world.