Image of three basketball players playing in a gymnasium.

Community and Youth Programs

Help build community and make a positive impact

With the support of the community and our donors, the CNE Foundation is proud to sponsor a number of Community and Youth Programs that make a lasting impact on the lives of young people. We’re pleased to support these programs that bring youth together and contribute to building confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills. Sports participation in childhood can also contribute to a lifetime of health and wellness. Along with our community partners and volunteers, we’re pleased to offer young people from across the province these opportunities to participate, be active and shine!

Youth Community Baseball

Fielding baseball dreams for generations The CNE Foundation is proud to present youth community baseball during the CNE. Each summer, 410 boys and 120 girls from across the province make their way to the Ex to play ball! This includes the Lions-CNE Baseball Tournament, which celebrated its 63rd anniversary in 2019. Community support of the CNE Foundation helps to ensure this cherished community tradition can be enjoyed for many more generations to come. Together, we are making these memorable experiences possible and helping to foster youth participation in sports programs. The impact lasts a lifetime. The CNE Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Lions Club of Toronto Central.

Rising Star Talent Competition

Supporting our future superstars! The CNE Foundation’s commitments to community, youth, arts and culture all come together with the CNE Rising Star Talent Competition. Each season, more than 120 young acts showcase their talents in a wide variety of genres. From vocal to dance, and instrumentalists to bands, youth 6 to 21 years of age wow audiences and compete for prize money to help explore their dreams. Previous contestants have included two founding members of the beloved Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, award-winning crooner Matt Dusk, and dancer-choreographer Blake McGrath who rose to fame after appearing in the popular So You Think You Can Dance competition-reality show. Through the support of the community, the CNE Foundation is proud to foster youth participation in the arts and help create these memories that last a lifetime.

CNE – Ontario Basketball Association 3-on-3 Tournamentition

Supporting dreams on and off the court At the CNE Foundation, we believe in supporting young people in the pursuit of their passions. Through our CNE-OBA 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, 33 teams from across the province tip off during the CNE at the OVO Athletic Centre! The tournament features three categories: Boys under 13, Mixed under 10 and Girls under 13. With the support of the community, the CNE Foundation is proud to sponsor this exciting program that helps support our future stars and makes a lasting impact on young people through sport participation.