More grant tips

Some recent advice from Herts Sport Partnership on sources of funding:

Sportsmatch- sponsorship of a minimum of a £1000 in cash or kind, can be matched £ for £. So for example, if you persuaded a garage to give you a car, you could get the cars worth in cash! You will need a clear plan of how the money (and car if you got one) would increase participation. This funding stream cannot be used for replacement kit, general existing running expenses. More usually a company will agree to sponsor you so many £1000’s, and so you will have double that for your project. For a project Sportsmatch do prefer one sponsor but in some cases will match the sum of up to three sponsors providing each gives at least £1000.

Possibilities: development of a new team, or a new second team, both of which would then need new kit, coaches courses, first aid courses, first aid kit including strapping, new equipment, advertising, admin cots, maybe coach hire (wheeled variety), venue hire, maybe new trophies for end of season awards; perhaps the hire of specialist coaches for development.

Development of a developing coach and other volunteer infrastructure within the club, coaches courses, refs courses, volunteer courses, volunteer co-ordinator development etc. Some clubs have used the funding to pay for a dedicated CRC or YDO, if you wish to do this, speak to your RDO.

• Can not be used for tours abroad, and also not usually for physio therapy costs.
• The main thing here is to remember that the new sponsor must not give you the money or sponsorship in kind before you have got the o.k. from Sportsmatch.
• Records of publicity, attendance numbers etc will need to be kept as will clear accounts.
• A club can have more than one Sportsmatch application going on at ny one time.
• For sponsorship over £5000 the NGB will be involved, helping ensure all goes to plan.

Ideally get the business sponsor to commit for 3 years, they do have the option of pulling out, but if they only commit to one year, they cannot then decide to do another year without putting in even more money. So in the first year, if a business sponsors you £3000 you will end up with £6000, in the second year the business again gives you £3000 and Sportsmatch will give you up to £1500 and in the 3rd year, once again, £3000 from the sponsor and £750 to £1000 from Sportsmatch.

Applications are considered at set dates throughout the year. It may take a few months from when the sponsor first says they will sponsor you. Forward planning is essential.


Awards for All- only 1 application per club per year, so ensure the club exec know whts planned. Grants given from £300 to £10,000. To increase access and participation. W&G are a target they wish to meet. Each region may have slightly different targets, look on the website to check. About 8-12 weeks for an answer.


Small Grants Fund-google “small grants fund” because each local authority has slightly different criteria. Grants up to £500 for running costs that volunteers usually cover themselves e.g. ink cartridges, paper etc. Grants up to £2000 for things such as, refurbishing the clubs kitchen, a new store for equipment, security equipment for the club, new kit for a new team, projects which will improve participation, enjoyment and health. Decisions made as the applications come in.

Youth Opportunity and Capital Fund-goggle this title, as each local authority has some funding which they control. The unusual thing about this funding possibility is that the young people themselves complete the application form and run the project!!!!!

The Youth Opportunity Fund, could for example be for increasing participation and recruitment of girls, so maybe use the funding to put young adults on coaching courses and get them coaching in schools, it may possibly be used to pay an adult coach to coach in schools, but the main thing is its for kids, by kids.

The Capital Fund has no upper limit and is for capital projects e.g. facilities.

The panel has young people on it as well as adults, and grants are considered on 1st Friday of each month

Local Network Fund-again google this title. This fund will come to an end at the end of this year I believe so get your application in quickly. Funding is for increased access and participation and again girls are a target, but boys could apply too. Simple application form and the record keeping is not difficult. About 8 weeks for a decision.

Commander Collins Bursary-google title. Matched funding up to £500 for development of volunteers, so coaches and refs courses, maybe LTAD seminars, Running Sport workshops etc etc

B&Q you can do it, community fund.-Each branch of B&Q has about £2000 a yar to give away. They tend to give it in £500 lots. Apply in writing to the store mnager. Money to be used in the store for paint, coat hooks, signs etec…to smarten up your club house.

Post Office- If you have a club member who works for the P.O. get them to contact their regional office. The post office gives grants to its employees sports clubs. £5000 I do believe. The employee must hold a position at the club, e.g. coach, team manager etc.

Foundation for Sport and the Arts (http://www.thefsa.net/). This is a funding body that fund new and refurbishment of facilities, and will also provide revenue grants.

Community Foundations. E.g Herts Community Foundations-these bodies hold charitable funds and act as distributors. Ask your Local Authority for contct details and then phone and ask if they have any grant bodies which support sport.

Who else will know where to look for money?: Your County Sports Partnership may well have a list of funding bodies both National ones and local ones. The CSN or Community Sports Network will also be helpful to you in finding funds or applying for funds. They can help if you have a big project, £10,000 plus, by helping you look at the possibility of CIF, Community Investment Funding. CSN’s vary from district to district. Contact either your CSP or your local authority to ask where and who makes up, your nearest CSN.

Completing Application Forms:This is easier, much easier if you have a development plan. Your Local Authority may, in the volunteers department have someone who will sit and help you complete the application form.