Several organizations provide funding for swim lessons and we've tried to make a list of them here.
(Please be aware that the information here could be out of date and it is best to double check on the sponsors web site for accurate information.)
Requirements
-
Athlete must be 5-18 years old.
-
Must be a resident of British Columbia.
-
Annual net family income is less than $45,000 Canadian dollars (See Financials section for details).
-
Athlete must be registered with a sports organization.
-
The sport program must align with A4K’s funding mandate (See Funding & Program Eligibility for details).
Has funded
Charke Swim
STUDENTS!
-
Athletics for Kids (athletics4kids)
Has funded
Charke Swim
STUDENTS!
Requirements
For a youth to be eligible for a RISE grant, they must meet the following criteria:
-
Currently or previously designated a placement out of the parental home by B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development or Delegated Aboriginal Agency Legal Status, or the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Child in Home of Relative program or a Local Legal Partner Agency*
-
Currently reside in British Columbia
-
Under 27 years of age at the date of application
-
Require funding to support my participation in sport, physical activity, recreation and/or cultural programs.
-
Question: Am I eligible for these grants if I am not Indigenous?
Answer: Yes! RISE Grants are open to ALL children and youth (under the age of 27) who are or have been registered In Care in British Columbia, regardless of ancestry. Applicants must also currently be residents of British Columbia.
Has funded
Charke Swim
STUDENTS!
Requirements
To be eligible for funding for one or more children, families must first meet specific financial criteria as per Revenue Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICO) chart. Jumpstart uses the furthest column to the right of the chart for eligibility.
Other Funding Requirements
-
Children must fall between the ages of 4 - 18 years old.
-
Funding is allocated to sustained programs that involve a sport or physical activity.
-
Programs should be a minimum of five weeks in duration and include at least one session per week. In the case of sports camps, the program must last at least five consecutive days for consideration.
Requirements
-
Must be an Enrolled student
-
Please visit their website as their requirements and options are quite considerable.
Has funded
Charke Swim
STUDENTS!
Requirements
-
ViaSports has a wide range of grants that you can see at this link; ViaSport Grants
Requirements
-
Children 18 and younger could be eligible for up to $400 per child, per calendar year (January – December). Parent/guardians may apply more than one time in a calendar year but the total amount of grant(s) that will be given will not exceed $400
Who is eligible to receive a KidSport Grant?
KidSport™ considers the social and economic barriers facing the athlete’s family when determining eligibility for funding.
-
*Statistics Canada's Low-Income Guidelines (LICO) are used as a guideline to determine financial eligibility. If your income is higher, extenuating circumstances can be taken into account. Please provide details with your application.
-
If you are unsure of your eligibility to receive a grant, please reach out to kidsport@sportbc.com.
Requirements
-
This is funding from the BC Government for persons on the Austism Spectrum.
-
They are currently (March 2026) transitioning to a new program (but are still accepting applications). Please visit the website for requirements.
Please be aware that the BC Autism Funding rejected the application for my first student trying to use it. Here is what they said;
"The Service Provider Charke Swim is not eligible to receive payent from Austim Funding as the program/class requested has not been adapted as a therapeutic service or an intervention program. The service is therefore considered to be general recreation. While this program/class may be benfitial, it does not meet the criteria to be considered and autism intervention and does not fall within the guidelines for Austism Funding eligible services."
- While I am disappointed, Charke Swim is a swimming lesson company and while I've had tremendous experience with autistic students since 1996, they are correct in labelling the company as general recreation. This is the only funding service on this list that has turned down funding.