Membership

 

Running volunteer youth sports programs is getting harder. Rising facility rental fees, equipment costs, insurance, and referee charges strain tiny budgets. Volunteers juggle long hours organizing schedules, fundraising, coaching, and administration on top of jobs and family life. Finding and booking affordable, available venues is a constant battle — many facilities prioritize paid leagues, leaving community programs with limited times or none at all. These pressures reduce playing time, shrink teams, and force programs to turn kids away.

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When programs struggle, kids lose out on activity, skill development, social connection, and the confidence that comes from belonging to a team. Top of the City (TOTC) was created to remove those barriers by helping clubs access affordable facility space, negotiate better rates, and provide nonprofit administrative support so volunteers can focus on coaching and kids can play.

 

Why join TOTC?

• Access to negotiated facility rates and booking support.

• Administrative help so volunteers spend less time on paperwork and more time with players.

• Greater ability to run consistent, affordable programming for more children.

• Priority support for clubs serving underserved communities.

• A network of peers, resources, and advocacy to strengthen your club’s sustainability and reach.

• Member only access to the Equity in Play Scholarship, which provides subsidies for families to register their children for member groups. 

 

Club Facility Equity Grant

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What is the Club Facility Equity Grant?

• A service that helps community and youth sports clubs access facility rentals and preferred rates so more children can attend regular practices and games.

• TOTC acts as the registered non-profit intermediary for community clubs, school teams, and grassroots organizations across Canada.

• Any organization running children’s sports programming may apply. Priority is given to clubs serving low-income, newcomer, Indigenous, racialized, and other underserved communities.

 

How the Grant works

• TOTC does not provide direct program funding. Instead, we negotiate facility access and discounted rates on behalf of member organizations.

• Applicant organizations remain responsible for paying facility rental costs.

• TOTC charges a 10% administrative fee on the rental amount to cover operating costs and support continued access programs.

 

Membership requirements

• Must be a TOTC member in good standing.

• Deliver programming for children and youth.

• Submit required documentation (program description, facility quote, evidence of need, etc.)

 

Equity in Play Scholarship

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What is the Equity in Play Scholarship?

• The Equity in Play Scholarship helps kids who need financial support to play sports with Top of the City member clubs. 

• It covers registration, fees in one of our member clubs so every child can play. 

• Any parent seeking to register with a member club can apply. Priority is given to families, these demographics serving low-income, newcomer, Indigenous, racialized, and other underserved communities.

• For more information visit the TOTC website or contact the organizers to apply, they’ll explain what to fill out and what information is needed.

 

Ready to apply or have questions? Contact topofthecitysoccerfestival@gmail.com for application support and eligibility help.