THE CAN FUND STORY
Founder Jane Roos created CAN Fund in her hospital room after her second back that resulted from a fatal car accident. While driving back to Ottawa after dropping friends’ parents off at the airport in Montreal her friend fell asleep at the wheel and off a cliff. Jane survived but tragically her friend did not. This life changing experience Jane realize just how lucky we all are to have each day and to not take anything for Her life’s work is to help people succeed by giving them the ability to live their dream. promising heptathlete at the time of her accident, Jane knew it was Canadian athletes were deserving of the gift of opportunity.
What started with a vision to help a few athletes, has now over the past two decades helped thousands on their journey to wear the maple leaf. The CAN Fund legacy runs supporting over 80% of the athletes who have represented Canada at every Games Athens 2004. It is quite remarkable that behind the majority of athletes in Canada 11 Games and 11 Paralympics you will find CAN Fund.
CAN Fund was created not only to make a difference in the lives of Canadian athletes to also give people across Canada the opportunity to join an athlete’s journey and them directly to an athlete’s success.
With every donation to CAN Fund the donor finds out the name of the athlete they are supporting and receives a tax receipt.
Jane as a heptathlete her accident
back operation dropping her and they went experience made for granted.
dream. As a athletes who decades runs deep, Games since Canada spanning athletes but and connect name before accident
Jane with just a few of the thousands of athletes impacted by CAN Fund throughout their careers
WHY ATHLETES?
For the majority of the best athletic talent in Canada the ability to afford the resources they need to reach their full potential is one of the biggest hurdles they face and we are on a mission to change that!
3 out of 5 athletes applying to CAN Fund are in debt while giving everything they’ve got to wear the maple leaf. CAN receives
The government gives our top athletes $1000-$1800 a month to live on. Outside of this funding, for most athletes CAN Fund is their only other source of financial support.
Every dream and the ability to chase it needs a community of people who believe in it too. The direct financial support athletes receive from CAN Fund helps to offset the costs of new equipment, coaching, proper nutrition, extra physiotherapy and travel to training camps and competitions. To an athlete this is a game changer. It not only gives them access to what they need to compete on a level playing field but it also gives a boost of motivation knowing proud Canadians are investing in their potential.
We believe in giving opportunity to everyone who has the courage and fortitude to dream big. When our athletes wear the maple leaf, they unite a country and inspire us all. We need to see excellence to believe it is possible within our own lives and our athletes exemplify this.
Athletes from over 65 summer, winter and Paralympic sports are eligible to apply twice a year to CAN Fund. Each CAN Fund Recipient receives $8000 (per application) to help them on their journey.
CAN Fund is currently facing unprecedented demand. Every application over 900 athletes apply for financial support.
The world takes notice every two years as our athletes shine in the spotlight but it is the years in between the Games and major international competitions when no one is watching or even aware of their journey to be the best in the world that they need the backing the most and when CAN Fund donors make the biggest impact. The window to be a world class athlete is finite and like anyone who has ever achieved success, it hasn’t been without the support of others.
In our 20 year history the need has never been more paramount and CAN Fund is the solution that changes the game for most Canadian athletes.
63% of the athletes applying to CAN Fund also work part-time jobs after training 6-8 hours a day just to supplement their income.
“The biggest impact would have on my giving me the possibility finishing this season
Watch The Relief of Becoming a CAN Fund Recipient.
CAN FUND 24 MAGICAL MOMENTS OF
by CAN Fund and CAN Fund #150Women Recipients
TALK ABOUT RESILIENCE. The Canadian Women’s Rugby 7s went into the Games ranked 9th in the world, defied the odds and are now 2024 Olympic Silver Medalists - a Canadian best result. The majority of the players are CAN Fund Recipients and our legacy supporting women’s rugby runs deep, stemming back to their Olympic debut in Rio 2016 when they won the inaugural Olympic Bronze Medal.
Canada tied its best ever medal count at a Paralympic Games with 29 medals. 75% of the medalists are CAN Fund Recipients.
It was a historic Volleyball ever Paralympic team’s first
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Canadian Games test in the Games. streak
Olympic
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Maison
CAN FUND
Maison CAN Fund in Toronto was our headquarters for all things red, white and CAN Fund during the Paris Games. Open daily hundreds of guests throughout the Games enjoyed our french themed fundraisers including our Femmes Fortes Cocktail Party, Joie de Vivre Soiree and The Italian Job nod to Milan 2026 signature events. Maison CAN Fund featured Olympic Athlete Hosts, Games Viewing Areas, 10th Art of Accomplishment Exhibit, French 75 Welcome Drinks, CAN Fund Boutique and so much more.
When BMX Racer Molly Simpson returned home from the Paris Games she took the #CANFundPledge of helping another athlete to succeed. She auctioned the bike she competed with in Paris where she finished 5th in her Olympic debut and raised $4000 for CAN Fund which will now help a winter athlete on their journey to Milan 2026.
Skylar Park broke a 16 year medal drought for Canada in Taekwondo winning bronze. This medal is a true reflection of family. Skylar and her 2 brothers are coached by their father and 16 members of the Park family have black belts in Taekwondo.
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Paralympic Swimmer Aurelie Rivard took home a Paralympic Hat Trick - a medal of every color. Winning Gold, Silver, Bronze in Paris. She now has 13 Paralympic medals in her career spanning 4 consecutive Paralympic Summer Games.
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Beach Volleyball duo of CAN Fund
Brandie Wilkerson and her partner Humana-Paredes rose to the occasion their backs were against the wall, elimination multiple times throughout tournament en route to the first medal for Canada in Women’s
OF THE PARIS GAMES
historic bronze medal for Canada in Women’s Sitting at the Paralympic Games. This was the program’s firstParalympic medal - an incredible feat as 2016 marked the first Paralympic appearance.
Canadian Rowers have won an Olympic medal at every Games since 1992. An impressive run that was put to the in Paris with only two Canadian boats qualifying for Games. The defending Olympic Champions kept the streak alive as our Women’s 8+ rowed to back-to-back Olympic podiums and claimed the silver.
Hammer Thrower Ethan Katzburg won Canada’s first Olympic Gold Medal in a throwing event in 120 years! At only 22 years old he became the youngest Olympic Champion in hammer throw history. 2 days later Camryn Rogers won gold in the women’s hammer throw competition and in doing so is the first ever Canadian woman to stand on the Olympic podium in a throwing event.
Fund Recipient partner Melissa occasion when wall, staving off throughout the first ever Olympic Beach Volleyball.
Two epic brands working together to empower women. CAN Fund #150 Women and Knix Partnership is launched. CAN Fund #150 Women conducted a survey with our female athletes in support of the Knix Sport Your Period Campaign. Knix also donated $1 from every piece of Knix activewear sold between July 25 - September 1, 2024 up to $25,000 to CAN Fund #150Women. Check out CAN Fund Founder Jane Roos’ interview on THE LIFT BY KNIX HERE .
From retired to Paralympic Gold Medalist. Feeling he had more to give in the sport he loved. Shot Putter Greg Stewart came out of retirement in 2022 and in Paris he successfully defended his Paralympic Gold Medal from 2021.
Women’s Rugby 7s player Asia Hogan-Rochester and Women’s 8+ Rower Sydney Payne stopped by Maison CAN Fund in Toronto when they returned home from Paris to share their Olympic Silver Medals and behind the scenes stories and experiences from the Games with CAN Fund donors.
At 39 years old Para Canoer Brianna Hennessey made history for Canada becoming the first-ever paddler to win a Paralympic medal for our country. She won silver. Her journey to the Paralympics began in 2014 when she was attending a work conference in Toronto and while crossing the street was struck by a speeding cab driver. In an instant her life was changed. She now lives with excruciating chronic pain and mobility challenges as a tetraplegic. Her story is one of the utmost resilience. READ MORE HERE
A RECORD BREAKING WIN:
Katie Vincent won the gold medal in the women’s canoe sprint C1 200m final with an Olympic record time of 44.12. This win also marked the 25th medal for Canada in Paris which set a new Canadian record for most medals at a non boycotted Games, marked the first gold medal for a Canadian woman in Canoe/Kayak and set the record for Olympic gold medals won by Canada at a Summer Games with 8. Canada ultimately ended the Games with 27 medals (9 gold, 11 silver, 7 bronze). Katie and her women’s doubles partner Sloan MacKenzie also raced to bronze in the 500m earlier in the competition.
National Post article featuring CAN Fund shedding light on the financial situation of Canadian athletes and the impact of our work.
20 tears a nation. the Games
So many moments as a country to celebrate and make us proud to be Canadian. From by Ellie Black placing a Canadian best 5th. To the heartbreak of Shot Putter Sarah Mitton the final. After elimination she remained on the field to not only learn and grow stronger competitors. To Para-Triathlete Stefan Daniel a two-time Paralympic medalist from Rio after he crashed on the third lap of the bike. At the time of the crash Stefan was in first got up and finished the race. All of our athletes poured their heart and soul into representing
The 7 Paralympic and Winter Athletes who were surprised with CAN Fund Support at Maison CAN Fund to help them on their journey. Each athlete received $8,000. Ben Heldman - Snowboarding, Ali Nullmeyer - Alpine Skiing, Cynthia Appiah - Bobsleigh, Dawn Richardson Wilson - Bobsleigh, Madeline Schizas - Figure Skating, Puisand Lai - Wheelchair Basketball, Kady DandeneauWheelchair Basketball.
Third time a charm - Making her third consecutive Games appearance Alysha Newman became the first Canadian Woman to stand on the Olympic podium in Pole Vault. Her 4.85m vault to claim the Olympic Bronze Medal also set a new Canadian national record.
Wyatt Sanford ended a 28 year medal drought for Canada in Boxing by winning Olympic Bronze in the 63.5kg.
21 WHEN WOMEN SUPPORT WOMEN EPIC THINGS HAPPEN
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61% of the athletes who represented Canada in Paris were female and the majority are CAN Fund #150Women recipients.
Eleanor Harvery wins Olympic Bronze marking the first ever Olympic medal for Canada in Fencing! Growing up Harvey’s mom made many sacrifices to support her daughter’s Olympic dream, including selling their home and moving in with her grandmother to afford to send Eleanor to fencing competitions.
20 year old Paralympic Swimmer Nicholas Bennett and his tears of joy while singing “O Canada” warmed the hearts of nation. He won Canada’s first gold medal of the Games in the men’s SB14 100m breaststroke. Nicholas would finish the Games with 3 medals (2 gold, 1 silver) in his Paralympic debut.
From our Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Team led Mitton who was favored for gold not advancing to stronger from this moment but to also support her Rio and Tokyo being knocked out of contention first place. In a moment of complete devastation he representing us all on the world’s biggest stage. 19
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15 members of the CBC Broadcast Team that brought us 27 days of coverage during the Games and who captivated us with compelling stories and live commentary from Olympic and Paralympic venues are CAN Fund Alumni.
MAKING DREAMS ACHIEVABLE SINCE
In 2003 rebranding from See You In Fund to CAN Fund was created by Level5 Strategy Group and Shikatani Lacroix.
In 2003 Taxi created a pro bono National Awareness Campaign. The See You In Athens Fund was recognized as one of the most successful athletic fundraising efforts in Canadian history in Marketing Management Canadian 12th Edition.
MasterCard Canada gives $500,000 which is the first major corporate donation to the Fund.
SINCE 2003
Some
highlights over our 20 year history
See You In Torino Fund wins Coca-Cola Live Olympic Award at the 2006 Games.
CAN Fund Patrons of Sport Campaign created in 2007. The founding donor is Eugene Melnyk with a donation of $1 million.
One of our most successful fundraising campaigns $8 for 08-08-08 leading up to the 2008 Games.
Shaw “Making it Happen”
Telethons raise over $1.2 million through two live telethon events held in Calgary in 2008 and Vancouver in 2009. Over 120 Canadian athletes were involved in the telethons, answering phones, sharing their stories and working together to raise awareness for athletes.
The Talent Supporting Talent initiative was launched in 2009 with the inaugural “Celebrating Canadian Talent Art Exhibit.”
A total of 5 Talent Supporting Talent Art Shows have raised support for Canadian Athletes and a number of famous Canadians including Dr. Roberta Bondar, George Stroumboulopoulos, Rick Mercer and many more have been involved.
On July 27, 2010 marking the 2 year countdown to the London Games CAN Fund distributed over $1 million to summer athletes.
Sprott Gold Metal Celebration announced in partnership with Sprott Asset Management LP and the Sprott Foundation pledging $100,000 for every gold medal won by a Canadian athlete at the Vancouver Games. This investment of $1.4 million helped fund future athletes.
CAN Fund partners with Brookfield First Canadian Place to host CAN Fund House during the 2014, 2016 and 2018 Games.
After each Games
CAN Fund hosts a Gold Silver Bronze Celebration featuring our medalists. Scott Russell hosted in 2014.
CAN Fund launched 2017. A community women vision of supporting athletes who Canada and Over 550 have been nemoWgnitro • Wmo e n S upp orting Women • Wo
CAN Fund Founder Jane Roos wins the Bruce Kidd Leadership Award at the 2023 Canadian Sports Awards.
Fund #150Women launched in November community of with a shared supporting female who compete for and each other. female athletes been funded to date.
Lots of Magic Gala
On February 28th, 450 amazing people SHOWED UP for our athletes at the CAN Fund 20th Anniversary Lots of Magic Gala. It truly was a magical evening celebrating BIG dreams and giving opportunity to the best athletic talent in our country. presented by the Sprott Foundation
CAN FUND TESTIMONIALS
Kristina Groves, Speed Skating, 3x Olympian, 4x Olympic Medalist and CAN Fund Alumni
“What recieving CAN Fund felt like for me was that someone was looking at me saying I see you, I see your fire, I know it’s real and I believe in you and your dream. And that makes us unstoppable.” - Phylicia George, Athletics & Bobsleigh, 3x Olympian, 2018 Olympic Bronze Medalist and Multiple CAN Fund Recipient
CAN FUND TESTIMONIALS
2010 Olympic Gold Medalist
“CAN in the during was almost throughout 2008 immense for the athletes Para
“A huge thank you 2024 Games. As an “less than”. Perhaps extra meaningful. In therapy, knowing that disability - as an Olympian they really are walking - Kate O’Brien, Para Medalist, 2024 Paralympic
Fund was a pinnacle piece to the success I achieved the pool as a Paralympian. CAN Fund supported me during its infancy, at a time when support to Para athletes almost non-existent and continued to support me throughout my journey to the podium at the 2004 and Paralympic Games. There are no words to express the immense gratitude and thanks I have for Jane and the team the role they’ve played in helping so many Canadian athletes achieve their dreams.” - Chelsey Gotell, Swimming, 3x Paralympian, 12x Paralympic Medalist, CAN Fund Alumni
“To us CAN Fund is about providing opportunity. When we were first introduced to CAN Fund, we were blown away by the athletes’ stories of perseverance through financial struggles and lack of funding.CAN Fund is a major difference maker in these young athletes lives and the impact of financial support is huge. It is very gratifying to be part of something that special.”
- Gitte & Soren Frederiksen, CAN Fund Monthly Donors & CAN Fund #150Women Member
to CAN Fund for coming on as my first sponsor for the an athlete with a disability, it can be easy to fall into the Perhaps that is why receiving this support from CAN Fund is In addition to helping me cover the costs of training and that they have supported me equally pre and post my Olympian and Paralympian fills my heart and shows that walking the walk and promoting equality and inclusivity.”
Para Cycling, 2016 Olympian, 2020 Paralympic Silver Paralympic Bronze Medalist and multiple CAN Fund
The CAN Fund Pre-Game Meal is reinventing the charity dinner with inspiring conversations and delicious food. You invite your friends to your home and CAN Fund invites the athletes to join you. Proud Canadians from coast to coast to coast are hosting Pre-Game Meals at their homes or favourite restaurants. While the setting is always different, the impact is always incredible.
“We loved hosting the Pre-Game Meal at our house. It was a fantastic way to engage our local community in supporting Canada’s athletes. The stories that the athletes shared really brought their journey to life and allowed our friends to get a glimpse into what it takes to achieve greatness. We highly recommend the experience!”
– Andrew Long & Gina Mollicone-Long | Whistler, British Columbia Book Your CAN Fund Pre-Game Meal: Office@CanadianAthletesNow.ca (416) 487-4442 • www.MyCANFund.ca
4 WAYS TO GIVE
Make a one time donation
By making a one time donation you will have an immediate impact on an athletes ability to train and compete for Canada.
Patrons of Sport Monthly Donor
$10 or more a month, you choose. Automatic deductions are made from your credit card each month and you can change the amount at any time. At the end of the year you will receive a tax receipt for your total donation along with a list of the names of the athletes you have supported.
3 CAN Fund #150Women
Join over 4000 women from across Canada who are donating $150 or more to support the best female athletic talent in this country.
To date 580 female athletes have been supported and are CAN Fund #150Women recipients receiving $8000 each.
Our mantra is BE EPIC and our goal is to grow this community to 10,000 CAN Fund #150Women Members.
4 Adopt An Athlete
Corporate Canada and business leaders have made this our #1 program at CAN Fund since 2003. Donation $10,000.
Bring inspiration to your next event with a world class athlete to engage with your clients or employees through the CAN Fund Adopt An Athlete program.
CAN Fund will customize the program to align with your goals providing you with an athlete to enhance your audience experience.
Every dream and the ability to chase it needs a community of people who believe in it too.
On February 28th, 423 amazing people SHOWED UP for our athletes at the CAN Fund 20th Anniversary Lots of Magic Gala presented by the Sprott Foundation. It truly was a magical evening celebrating BIG dreams and giving opportunity to the best athletic talent in our
country.
the Sprott giving
“I most enjoyed interacting with the athletes at the cocktail party and hearing their stories during the dinner. This is what gets us in the heart - the passion these people have for their sport and hunger for representing Canada. To be part of such an extraordinary evening meant so much to us and has inspired us to want to do more.”
- Sherri Cappa
“What an amazing night and event! So happy to be a part of the CAN Fund family. Their support of Canadian athletes is amazing. Congrats on 20 years of turning athletes’ dreams into a reality.” – Molly Simpson, BMX, 2024 Olympic Hopeful and multiple CAN Fund recipient
What a SPECTACULAR night celebrating 20th years of CAN Fund and all of its magic!
- Cathy Mermer
“It was truly special to finally meet the people who have been fueling Canadian athletes’ dreams for the last 20 years. I loved being able to share my experiences as an athlete and how being a CAN Fund recipient impacted my journey to an Olympic podium. I am very grateful for all the generous supporters who continue to impact the lives of hundreds of athletes!” - Ryan Sommer, Bobsled, 2022 Olympic Bronze Medalist and CAN Fund Alumni
“Thank you for your incredible work - the night was a super success and it was so nice to be reunited with the CAN Fund community” - Catherine Garceau, Artistic Swimming, 2000 Olympic Bronze Medalist and CAN Fund Alumni
“A beautiful evening and such a force CAN Fund is!” - LA Schmidt
“What an honour and the most incredible experience this has been. It was a magical evening I will never forget.” - Marissa Teeter
“Wow, great job. Magic delivered!” - Bernard Luttmer, CAN Fund Alumni
Lots of Magic
Magic Gala
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP FOR OUR ATHLETES
