Developing the game takes money whether it is for building a new clubhouse or buying a new team kit. Help is at hand from a range of funding pots. Here is your guide to the main ones…
The Football Foundation Facilities Scheme
Funding is available to refurbish or construct changing rooms, grass and artificial pitches and clubhouses for community benefit.
The Football Foundation Goalpost Safety Scheme
Supports the replacement of unsafe goalposts that fail to meet British Goalpost Safety Standards. The Foundation will assist in the funding of 50% towards the cost of a pair of goals up to a ceiling of £1,500.
Football Foundation Community Scheme
Designed to increase participation and volunteering in sport and to encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles by creating opportunities for all. Priority areas for community and education funding are disability projects, ethnic minority communities, young people, social inclusion and education. The maximum level of funding is 90% of project costs up to a total project cost of £250,000 but applicants are encouraged to secure as much partnership funding as possible.
The Football Foundation Small Grants Scheme
Provides funding of up to £9,000 with a total project cost of £10,000 for the introduction of new activity, which aims to increase participation and provide training for volunteers to support grassroots football. This could include the start up costs for a new team at an existing club.
Awards for All
Awards for All is a Lottery Grants Scheme aimed at local communities. They award grants of between £300 and £10,000 for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.
Sportsmatch
This is a government initiative to encourage sponsorship for projects aiming to increase participation in sport at grass roots level, and/or improve basic skills. New sponsorship, minimum of £1,000 (£500 for schools), is matched by Sportsmatch on a pound for pound basis.
Big Lottery Fund
Uses Lottery funding to help make big, positive changes for communities. Ranging from providing smaller grants for local people to funding big, national “transformational” projects the scheme funds up to 50% of a project’s cost.
The Football Foundation Junior Kit Scheme
Provides funding for a new kit for Under 18 teams and adults with disabilities, Funding comes in the form of a £400 voucher and can be exchanged with the Football Foundation nominated kit and equipment supplier – Nike.
Barclays Spaces for Sports (Coaching Kit & Equipment)
Teams can apply for free coaching kit and equipment packs (no playing strip is included) from the Football Foundation. 100 packs including water bottles, T-shirts, training bibs, cones, whistles, a first aid kit will be awarded each month to those teams and groups from areas most in need across the country on the basis of Ward deprivation index.
The Football Foundation Football Stadia Improvement Fund
Provides grant aid to clubs in the Football League, and the National League System, down to Step 7 and below who wish to improve their facilities. Funding is available dependant on level / status of applicant club.