We don’t need to tell you that finding funding can be exhausting. That’s why when we say we can offer you the whole package, which includes advice and guidance to help you get the funding that you need for your play project. We have a dedicated fundraising page to get you started and our consultants will give you tailored advice throughout the process.
Every now and again, we also like to bring your attention to big funding or grant opportunities that are on our radar. Last week we talked about the Aviva Community Fund and how to apply. This time we’re looking at the Football Foundation and their funding schemes that are currently open for applications.
The Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports’ charity. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Foundation directs £30m every year into grassroots sport. The Foundation receives money from the very top of the professional game and also from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport through Sport England. It then uses this money to leverage even more partnership funding, to deliver a programme of new and improved community sports facilities in towns and cities across the country. Read more here.
What grants are available?
The Football Foundation has a number of grants available for application. Their website is regularly updated with the latest grants accepting applications and post-award information for those that are closed. At time of writing (March 2017) the schemes currently open are as follows:
Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund
The Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund provides grants for building or refurbishing grassroots facilities, such as changing pavilions and playing surfaces for community benefit.
Grants are offered for projects that:
* Improve facilities for football and other sport in local communities.
* Sustain or increase participation amongst children and adults, regardless of background age, or ability.
* Help children and adults to develop their physical, mental, social and moral capacities through regular participation in sport.
Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund Small Grants Scheme
The Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund Small Grants Scheme awards grants of up to £10,000 for the provision of capital items, or to refurbish/improve existing facilities.
The aims of this scheme are to:
* Support the growth of football clubs and activity.
* Prevent a decline in football participation.
* Make improvements to facilities to address any health and safety issues.
Respect
The FA and Foundation’s Respect barriers and Respect packs (made up of captains’ armbands, marshals’ bibs and Respect Signage) are available to football leagues and clubs to ensure there is good behaviour by players and parents alike in the grassroots game, with money provided by The FA and vouchers supplied by the Foundation.
Grow the Game
The Foundation’s Grow the Game Scheme provides grants of up to £1,500 for the creation of new football teams and coaching qualifications, with money provided by The FA. The Scheme is delivered by the Foundation.
Grow the Game provides funding for projects that use football to:
* increase participation by both players and volunteers
Application processes for each grant vary, more details can be found on the individual grant links provided above.
If you need any further advice on applying for a Football Foundation Grant, or any other playground funding available for your project, contact us on sales@playforce.co.uk.