Introduction to Funding Opportunities
The majority of the funding opportunities are via the UK’s largest sports charity the Football Foundation. The Football Foundation is a unique partnership funded by the FA Premier League, The FA and the Government.
With grants ranging from £100 to £1m, through the variety of schemes that the Football Foundation offers. Please find all relevant information here within the sub-sections.
New Football Foundation "Grow the Game" Grant
What is the scheme?
The scheme replaces the old Community Small Grants Scheme (Under £10000). Grow the Game provides funding for projects that use football to:
increase participation by both players and volunteers.
This is done by supporting the costs associated with providing new activity.
Grow the Game is an extremely popular scheme and the assessment process is competitive, therefore we strongly recommend that before making an application you contact your local County Football Association's Development Manager to discuss your project (see below for details).
Can you apply?
Applications are welcome from organisations that are 'not for profit'. We will not fund individuals.
Organisations must have a constitution, child protection policy, equal opportunities policy and income/expenditure records.
Please note organisations that have an existing Community Small Grant are not eligible to apply for a Grow the Game grant.
Organisations will only be able to apply for one Grow the Game grant every four years.
What do we give money for?
Grow the Game provides funding to contribute towards a combination of the following essential costs associated with providing new football activity:
Facility hire
Hire of FA qualified coaches and referees
CRB checks
Affiliation fees
League entry
First aid kits
Promotion and publicity
FA coaching courses
There maybe some flexibility for projects that are specifically targeting disabled players, this will be determined by the Football Foundation. Should this be relevant for your project, please speak to the relevant Community Programme Manager.
The Foundation does not fund retrospectively and will not consider applications for costs that have already been made or are due before an offer of a grant has been awarded.
There is no funding available for groups wishing to apply for charitable status, further support is available from the Charity Commission's website.
How much money can we give you?
Organisations setting up one team are able to receive £2,500 over two years with financial support being reduced in the second year of the project.
For organisations setting up two or more teams a £5,000 grant is available over two or three years with financial support being reduced in the second or third year of the project.
No partnership funding will be requested.
Educational establishments are only able to apply for up to 50% of the total grant allowance. Projects must be extra-curricular with the exception of special schools.
For further information and details, including how to apply, please contact Stu Leason, County Development Manager via email here or telephone on 0191 2700700. Alternatively, please view the Football Foundation Website: www.footballfoundation.org.uk
Please remember Northumberland FA’s Football Development team are here to help with any questions you may have regarding the Football Foundation and other the funding schemes. Contact them at the County Headquarters on 0191 2701166 or 0191 2700700