TORONTO, Ont. (June 26, 2020) – Canada Basketball announced today the appointment of Maria-Leena Clarke to the position of Executive Director of the Canada Basketball Foundation.

“The Canada Basketball Foundation has a critical role to play in the continued growth of basketball in our country,” said Glen Grunwald, President and CEO of Canada Basketball. “I look forward to continuing to work alongside Maria-Leena and the Canada Basketball Foundation Board of Directors as we explore new and innovative ways to raise the funds necessary to help shape the future of the game.”

The Canada Basketball Foundation (CBF) is a registered charitable organization, committed to promoting and developing the game of basketball for all Canadians, from the grassroots level to the elite.

As the primary fundraiser of Canada Basketball, the Canada Basketball Foundation works to improve the health of the nation through basketball, provide a pathway for excellence for young athletes, and deliver a dynamic basketball development infrastructure that will result in international success. 

The CBF is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a public foundation.

All revenue raised goes directly towards supporting the mission of Canada Basketball in order to bridge the funding gap for its programs to operate at the highest level of excellence, while directly impacting young athletes who aspire to realize their dreams of one day representing Canada on the world stage.

The Canada Basketball Foundation has partnered with Uniting Gamers to host the organization’s first Esports event on Sunday, July 5th, 2020.  Registration is now open and click here to sign up for the Canada Basketball Hoops at Home NBA 2K Tournament, in support of the Canada Basketball Foundation.

Reporting to both the Canada Basketball President & CEO, as well as the Canada Basketball Foundation Board of Directors, Clarke will focus on developing multiple revenue streams that will primarily include fundraising events, a major donor strategy for basketball philanthropists, as well as a revamped grassroots fundraising campaign that looks to engage donors from across the country.

Clarke was hired by Canada Basketball in September 2011 and spent the past nine years as the Director, Marketing and Partnerships.  She oversaw the growth of the Canada Basketball brand and an increase in the portfolios of partnerships and events. 

An accomplished marketing professional, Clarke’s career began at the Walt Disney Company’s international headquarters in Europe, before spending nearly a decade working for the sports broadcaster Eurosport, most recently as Head of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships, before joining Canada Basketball.

Donations to the Canada Basketball Foundation can currently be made online through the secure and safe charitable giving platform, CanadaHelps.org.  

For more information on the Canada Basketball Foundation, please contact: mclarke@basketball.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Matt Walker, mwalker@basketball.ca