NHLPA Goals and Dreams

NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund

NHLPA Goals & Dreams assists volunteer based programs that help economically disadvantaged children play the great sport of hockey. NHLPA members believe that more children should have the opportunity to play hockey-- a sport that educates players in teamwork, commitment, discipline and physical fitness. Since the inception of the program, more than 60,000 children in 25 countries have benefited from equipment donations from their NHL heroes.

Through the donation of brand new hockey equipment, NHLPA Goals & Dreams outfits groups of deserving children (maximum of 50 at one time) who are enrolled in grassroots programs that provide an economically feasible alternative for the children. The NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund provides equipment grants for grassroots hockey programs but does not act as a substitute for existing funding or fundraising activities.

Please see the application process below to apply for a hockey equipment grant from NHLPA Goals & Dreams.

NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game-Changer Award

The NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund launched the NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game-Changer Award in November 2010 in order to help even more deserving children and communities worldwide that face challenges to play the great sport of hockey. Often, the players’ program receives requests beyond hockey equipment donations from individual families who find themselves in unique financial situations due to economic or social reasons (job loss, divorce, deaths etc.), and from communities for assistance with emergency arena upgrades/repairs that are critical in order to keep an arena operable.

The NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game-Changer Award will consist of individual grants to families, in order to address some of the numerous requests received that go beyond the need for hockey equipment. These funds will help individual families get their children on the ice, either by covering registration fees and/or hockey equipment. In addition, emergency arena projects may also qualify for grants worth a maximum of $5,000 provided by the NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game-Changer Award.

Please see the application process below to apply for the NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game-Changer Award.

The NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund and the NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game Changer Award are now accepting new applications!

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for an equipment grant or individual funding please submit a two page introductory letter to:

Attention: NHLPA Goals & Dreams / NHLPA Goals & Dreams Game Changer Award
National Hockey League Players’ Association
20 Bay Street, Suite 1700
Toronto, ON
M5J 2N8

NHLPA Goals & Dreams gives prompt consideration to all proposal letters. However, the initial review process often takes six to eight weeks to complete. All applicants will be notified of the status of their request.

NHLPA Goals & Dreams approval process:

Initial letter submission by applicant.
Letter reviewed by NHLPA Goals & Dreams staff.
Official application sent to programs that merit consideration.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams staff reviews application, and may follow-up for additional information about applicant program.
NHLPA Goals & Dreams Advisory Board recommends approval, revision, deferral, or rejection.

A Helping Hand - Goals & Dreams

Since 1999, the Goals & Dreams program has helped over 60,000 children in 25 countries have the chance to play hockey. Watch this feature taken from CBC's Hockey Day in Canada.

A Helping Hand - Goals & Dreams

Since 1999, the Goals & Dreams program has helped over 60,000 children in 25 countries have the chance to play hockey. Watch this feature taken from CBC's Hockey Day in Canada.

"I always wanted to be a goalie, now I can try and it's AWESOME! Thank you NHLPA!"

Thomas, Novice Player
Eastern Shore Minor Hockey Association in Nova Scotia