There are a number of agencies offering a variety of grants to support clubs and coaches.Below is an outline of where funding is available, and the links to the relevant websites for further information.
Sport England
Sport England is the government agency responsible for developing a world-class community sports system. Now a radical new strategy is designed to get more people playing and enjoying sport and to help those with talent get to the very top. The new approach is designed to capitalise on the opportunity presented by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and to use its power to inspire more people to take part in and succeed in sport.In addition to their investment in key partners to deliver specific objectives, Sport England have launched funding programmes, which are open to a wide range of organisations. These include sports clubs, voluntary or community organisations, local authorities, schools, colleges and universities.
This programme has been set up to support local community sport projects which seek to increase participation, sustain participation or develop opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.For example, it might help a sports club expand its age range by helping it to buy extra team kit or pay additional coaching fees.
Funding amount: £300 to £10,000
Sportsmatch
This programme increases investment in community sport by matching sponsorship money pound for pound.It is funded by Sport England to support the development of grassroots sport in England.It makes awards to organisations running projects aimed at increasing participation in sports at community level.For example, If a business gives £1,000 in sponsorship to its local athletics club to organise coaching in local schools, Sportsmatch could match that with £1,000 of government money.
Funding amount: £1,000 to £50,000
Innovation Fund
This fund seeks to harness new ideas and attract new partners to find breakthrough solutions for grassroots sport. Applications should address at least one of Sport Englands strategies - Grow, Sustain, Excel. The Innovation Fund will accept applications from 12 May 2009 to 10August 2009.
Funding Amount: £10,000 to £500,000
Rural Communities Fund
Rural communities are the focus of Sport England’s first themed funding round.The £10 million fund will support projects that tackle the barriers to, and unearth new opportunities for getting people in rural areas playing and enjoying more sport.Applications can be submitted between 24 April 2009 to 30 June 2009.Sport England would welcome applications either to modernise or enhance sporting facilities, or provide revenue funding for any aspect of sports development, or a combination of the two.The total funding available is £10 million of National Lottery money.
The second themed round will be announced by 1 September 2009 and will open for business in October 2009.
Sustainable Facilities
The Sustainable Investment in Communities Facilities Fund invests £10m a year of Lottery and Exchequer money into innovative projects capable of transforming the places where we play or take part in sport.Successful projects will demonstrate innovative approaches to facility provision to increase sports participation.Applications will be accepted from 12 May 2009 to 30 June 2009.
Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) – Inland Revenue
Both property and non-property owning clubs can significantly benefit from the scheme. The key benefits of CASC registration include:
·80% mandatory business rate relief. Local authorities can offer up to 100% relief to clubs at their discretion.
·Exemption from corporation tax
·The ability to raise funds from individuals under Gift Aid.
·A registered CASC can reclaim up to £28 in tax for every £100 donated, though at the moment this does not apply to all types of donations.
The Torch Trophy Trust is a charitable organisation whose main aim is to encourage voluntary work in sport and other related outdoor activities within local communities.
The aim of the Bursary is to help volunteers to improve their skills as coaches or officials. The Bursary provides financial support for those wishing to undertake training.
Funding amounts: £100 to £1000(Match funding: 50% costs)
Awards for All England is supported by the Arts Council England, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England.It is a lottery grants scheme, funding small local community based projects that improve communities and the lives of people within them.
Biffa Awards provide grant aid for community organisations in areas within a limited radius of a landfill site.They will accept grant applications for projects that provide or improve community spaces, cultural facilities and places for outdoor recreation.
Funding amount: £250 to £50,000
Website: www.biffaward.org
The Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards Scheme
The Tesco Charity Trust aims to help Tesco support the local communities.On a local level it is used to support the needs of employees, customers and communities around the stores.The funding is directed towards practical benefits, such as equipment and resources for projects that directly benefit children, the elderly and people with disabilities, living in the local communities around Tesco stores.
Funding amount: £500 to £4,000
Larger Grant Applications
The Tesco Charity Trust Trustees also consider grant applications at their tri-annual meetings to support local, nation or international projects in areas where they operate.
Mr & Mrs J A Pye’s Charitable Settlement is a national charity that operates throughout England and Wales for general charitable purposes including sport and recreation. It makes grants to organisations, including schools and charities.
Tel: 01727 869141.
The Co-op Community Fund
The Co-op Community Fund has supported self-help voluntary and community groups since 1997, through donations made by members from their share of profits.Funding goes to projects that demonstrate benefits to their local community, have a charitable purpose, and are in line with the group’s values and principles.
The Co-op is working with StreetGames, a national charity, to develop a new volunteering programme for young people living in some of our most disadvantaged communities.
Funding amount: £100 to £5,000
Website: www.co-operative.coop/en/community-fund/
The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation will consider applications from anywhere in the UK, especially those concerned with areas of deprivation.
www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk
Norwich Union Star:Track
Norwich Union Star:Track provides an all-year round opportunity for children aged 8 to 15 to develop and hone their skills within structured and exciting coaching programmes.The programme is nationally recognised and has strong sponsorship support from Norwich Union.All organisers have the opportunity to apply for Norwich Union star:track project funding to enhance your programme.
If you are looking to develop athletics in your area and think that Norwich Union star:track can help, then please call UK Athletics on 0121 7138 400 or email NUstartrack@ukathletics.org.uk.
support the work of Fields in Trust (FIT) as well as providing additional services such as field management, planning, grants and loans and active support for local projects.
Website: www.cpfas.org.uk
The Women’s Sport & Fitness Foundation
The Women’s Sport & Fitness Foundation is the charity that campaigns to make physical activity an integral part of life for women and girls in the UK, where physical activity is defined as sport and exercise. It provides an advisory service and can supply resources.
Website: www.wsff.org.uk
The Joseph Strong Frazer Trust
The Joseph Strong Frazer Trust awards grants in a variety of fields including sporting & recreational causes.There is no application form, all applications should be made in writing with full accompanying details and can be made at any time of the year.
Contact: Joseph Miller & Co Accountants, Scottish Provident House, 31 Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4HX.
Funding amount: Up to £3,000
Ladbrokes in the Community Charitable Trust
Ladbrokes in the Community Charitable Trust works with a wide range of charities and good causes, helping raise funds and tailoring initiatives to meet the demands of local communities. Projects supported include those helping children, hospices and sports.
ABCs was launched in March 2008 to celebrate local schemes and projects, which are run by grass roots community and voluntary organisations.Athletics clubs across the UK are invited to apply for the Awards, for work that promotes interculturality through field and track sports.
