MLSE Foundation launches $30million campaign to 'Change the Game' for youth

February 19, 2021 

As part of its work in the community to address social injustice and fight discrimination, the MLSE Foundation is spearheading a "Change the Game" campaign to leverage sport’s ability to change lives to address 'the systemic barriers that often create an unequal playing field'. The campaign aims to raise and invest $30 million over four years to create more equitable opportunities for young athletes.

Based in Canada, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE) is a professional sports and commercial real estate enterprise that is the parent company of the NBA's Toronto Raptors, NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, MLS's Toronto FC, the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts and development teams with the Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League), Raptors 905 (NBA G League) and Toronto FC II (United Soccer League).

“This is bigger than sport," said Tanya Mruck, Executive Director of MLSE Foundation. "MLSE Foundation recognizes the importance of our voice in the community and our opportunity and responsibility to lead on the issue of equity, diversity and inclusion."

"With the support from the teams and the entire organization, MLSE Foundation has spent the last decade intentionally investing more than $45 million into kids and communities faced with barriers, however, the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the urgency of the social justice movement, have shown that we must do more. Change the Game will help level the playing field for thousands of youth in our city and province and give them a more equitable opportunity for success,” she continued. 

Change the Game will enable MLSE to contribute to building a more equitable city, building on the community investment pillars to create social change developed by its charitable arm. The campaign will help to provide greater access to free sports programs, community building and leadership opportunities that are focused on equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Part of the endeavour will also fund community grants to support Ontario-based organizations that use sport and recreation to build healthy communities, focusing on Black and Indigenous youth. Additionally, it will fund MLSE Foundation community programs and MLSE LaunchPad’s free Sport for Development programming for youth facing barriers in downtown Toronto; continue to refurbish athletic facilities; and, improve youth sports access, engagement and equity across Toronto and the surrounding areas. Last season, MLSE Foundation impacted the lives of 125,000+ kids.