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FUNDING GUIDE
Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund
The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) is intended to fund projects which reduce the impact of past, present and future aggregates extraction and also to reduce the need for primary aggregates extraction. The Countryside Agency is one of the distributors and the most likely to fund a sports project. It is interested in projects that have landscape, community, informal recreation or amenity benefits.
Two initial conditions MUST be satisfied for a project to be eligible for ALSF funding:
More detailed guidelines and an application can be downloaded from the web site or by calling 01476 584821.
Awards for All
A Lottery grants scheme for local communities. The number of awards to sports based projects has been capped for budgetary reasons but Awards for All is still a significant funding pot for community based sports projects especially if it can be shown that the project will have a positive impact on health, anti-social behaviour, crime etc. Funding criteria includes:
To be successful, an application must strongly draw out how the project meets the aims of Awards for All and where relevant, the regional priorities. For information on the regional priorities, see the web site.
Application forms are available from the web site or by calling 0845 600 2040.
Barclays Spaces for Sport
Barclays Spaces for Sport is a partnership between Barclays, The Football Foundation and Groundwork. Over 100 sports sites will be created across the UK every year during the three year £30m programme. It is however not an open application process. Groundwork UK will work with their trusts, plus other agencies to identify potential projects. However to complement the facility development, the Open Kit and Community Scheme has been set up and this is an open application process.
Each kit pack will include generic equipment bibs, training cones, whistles, stopwatches, first aid kits, coach jackets etc. 1200 kits will be distributed each year. Priority will be given to groups or teams in disadvantaged areas.
To find out if you are eligible to apply please contact The Football Foundation on 0800 0274221 or email enquiries@spacesforsports.org.uk
Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund currently operates 17 funding programmes. Full details are available from their website or by calling 08454 102030. Of the 17 programmes, the following are geared towards increasing physical activity, health and well-being:
Parks for People is the first joint programme from the Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund. Over the next three years, BIG is committing £90 million for Parks, which is being added to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s significant continuing investment in parks.
‘Parks for People’ builds on the two Lottery Funds’ shared commitment to bringing a real improvement to local environment and quality of life, making a lasting impact on the lives of local people and the places they live. Our vision is that every community should have access to a good quality local park with opportunities for enjoyment and recreation for all.
Grants in the ‘Parks for People’ scheme will range from £250,000 to £5 million.
Reaching Communities is an England wide programme that will provide funding to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.
This programme will fund projects that respond to needs identified by communities, and actively involve them. These include geographic communities and also communities with shared interests, such as people with poor mental health. We want to fund projects that help those most in need including those people or groups who are hard to reach. We will give support to those projects we think best meet their communities’ needs.
The three-year programme, launched on 7 December 2005, will make up to £100 million available in 2006-07, with future budgets being set annually.
Reaching Communities will give revenue grants of more than £10,000 and up to £500,000. The maximum grant for capital projects is £50,000.
Changing Spaces: Between now and 2009, BIG are making up to £234 million available to help communities in England improve their environment. The Changing Spaces programme will have three priority areas:
Community spaces
Local community enterprise
Access to the natural environment.
Details regarding the level of grants available will be published on their website
Children’s Play: The Big Lottery Fund’s £155 million Children’s Play initiative is based on the recommendations of the 2004 play review Getting Serious About Play, which defines children’s play as “what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas, in their own way and for their own reasons.”
There are 3 strands of funding under this programme, full details can be downloaded from their website.
Young People's Fund: Through the Young People's Fund, BIG aim to support projects that will improve local communities and offer more opportunities to young people. These projects will help young people achieve the following:
Being healthy: enjoying good physical and mental health; living a healthy lifestyle (eg football training, cookery classes, support from peers)
Staying safe: being protected from harm and neglect; growing up able to look after yourself (eg after-school clubs, self-defence groups, sexual health advice)
Enjoying and achieving: getting the most out of life; developing skills for adulthood (eg theatre groups and role-play, learning digital music, writing resume classes)
Making a positive contribution: giving back to the local community and society; not offending or behaving anti-socially (eg recycling programmes, creative arts club, 'clean up your park' schemes)
Economic well-being: overcoming socio-economic disadvantages to achieve full potential in life (eg helping homeless young people live independently, exam support).
BIG will be giving out three types of grant under the Young People's Fund:
Grants to individual young people (or small groups of young people) to help them make a difference in their communities
Grants to voluntary and community organisations to run local projects with and for young people
Grants to voluntary organisations to fund national projects.
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, running until 2008, gives grants to groups, organisations and agencies in England, Scotland and Wales who can show that their project or activity benefits a coalfield community. The projects funded usually fall into one of the following categories:
If asked if they would fund a sports project, the Coalfield Regeneration Trust would probably say no. However sports based projects can and have been funded where the applicant has successfully shown that their project will provide community support and facilities, will develop skills and confidence of the users that could lead to better employment etc.
A strong application would be one which is developed by a partnership between a local sports organisation and a local training agency or college which aims to deliver skills training to unemployed or low skilled individuals but will use sport to attract target groups into training.
If you are thinking of applying to the Trust, please contact your nearest Trust Office, where the Regeneration Manager can check your eligibility and give you advice on your application. The number of the East Midlands office is 01530 510 456.
Community Club Development Programme
This is an innovative collaboration between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England and national governing bodies (NGB's).
In very simple terms the NGB's for 16 sports (see list below) put forward club based projects for capital support. The funds are provided by the government and Sport England manages their distribution. Initially this was a three year programme April 2004 to March 2006. For this three year programme all funds have been allocated and a significant proportion of the projects are completed.
However the programme has been extended for a further two years from April 2006 to March 2008. Discussions will be starting soon with the NGB's about priority projects for the second phase. The NGB's have different approaches to identify their strategic projects to support via this funding. Any club that falls under the remit of the NGB's listed below should contact their governing body direct to find out more about how they will select projects for support. It is likely they will be looking for:
The National Governing Bodies are
Band A Sports
| English & Wales Cricket Board | Lawn Tennis Association |
| Football Association | Rugby Football Union |
Band B Sports
Dickie Bird Foundation
The foundation aims to help disadvantaged young people, nationwide, to participate in sport. Its objective is:
"To provide or assist the provision of facilities which enable young people in schools, universities and other educational establishments, local clubs and community groups to participate in sporting activities in the interests of healthy recreation or the advancement of physical education".
The application form can be downloaded from the web site or by contacting
The Dickie Bird Foundation, Jefferson House, Orchard Lane, Guiseley, Leeds LS20 9HZ Tel: 01943 873482 Email: info@thedickiebirdfoundation.org
egg Developing Local Talent Fund
egg is the internet bank based in Derby. It runs the egg in the community programme and has identified sport as one of its four priorities for this programme.
Rugby and football projects that they have supported in Derby have included training up egg staff in coaching qualifications to help deliver the project. Application forms can be downloaded from the web site.
Football Foundation
The Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity. The Foundation aims to improve grass roots football facilities but will also invest in multi-sport facilities as a way to improve peoples’ fitness and well being by giving them the opportunity to play a number of different sports.
For more information see the web site or call the help line on 0800 027 7766.
Foundation for Sports and the Arts
The sources of funds for the foundation are from Littlewoods football pools. Funds are currently limited.
An application form and guidelines can be downloaded from the web site or Tel: 0151 259 5505.
Peter Harrison Foundation
This grant making trust has a nationwide programme called Opportunities Through Sport which is to support sporting activities or projects which provide opportunities for people who are disabled or otherwise disadvantaged, to fulfil their potential and to develop other personal and life skills.
Grants will often be one off grants for capital projects. It will however, also consider revenue funding for a new project or if funding is key to the continuing success or survival of an established project. Applicants must be registered charities or friendly or provident societies.
The Trustees welcome applications for the following types of project:
Application forms can be downloaded from the web site or contact the trust on
01737 228 000
Land Fill Tax Credits Scheme
The landfill tax credit scheme was introduced with the landfill tax in October 1996 and enables landfill site operators to donate up to 6.8 per cent of their landfill tax liability to environmental projects in return for a 90 per cent tax credit. These projects should conform to one of six objects set for the LTCS:
Although not exclusively, some funds are distributed by what is termed Distributive Environmental Bodies (D-Ebs). Some of these bodies have a national remit, some are quite local. Details of the Distributive Environmental Bodies that operate in your county can be found on the web site under 'D-Ebs Directory'. To apply for awards some D-Ebs require applicants to enrol with Entrust. This costs £100.
Contact details of some of the larger Distributive Environmental Bodies
Local Authorities
Local Authorities are a significant funder of local sports initiatives. Check with your local authority’s department of leisure, recreation or sport to find out what if any funding resources are available to projects in your area. The 46 East Midlands local authority web sites are listed on the Government Office for the East Midlands web site.
Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales
Supports charities working in the fields of social and community needs and education and training. Its main grants programmes are designed to address essential community needs. A list of past awards does not include many sport-based projects but a few have been successful.
Copies of the application form can be downloaded from the regional page of the web site or by contacting the East Midlands office on 0115 958 8745
Lord's Taverners
The Lord’s Taverners raise money to give young people, particularly those with special needs, ‘a sporting chance’. They achieve this by providing opportunities for young people, able bodied or with disabilities, under the age of 25 to participate in sport & recreation.
Their annual disbursement of grant aid is broken down in the following way:
All applications must fall within their guidelines and be presented on the appropriate application forms. Applications for cricket grants are ONLY available from the Cricket Development Officer at the local county ground. All other application forms are available from The Lord's Taverners on 0207 821 2808 or can be downloaded from the web site.
National Heart Research Fund
The Lifestyle Grants programme aims to support lifestyle interventions in communities to prevent or reduce the risk factors of heart disease.
For more information call the Fund's Lifestyle Officer on 0113 297 6206.
National Sports Foundation
The National Sports Foundation is responsible for levering new and additional private investment into grass roots sport in England, and for promoting the benefits of investing in grass roots sport. The Foundation will match donations from commercial bodies and also contributions from individuals. The Government has invested £34.5m in the Foundation over the next two years to attract this new investment in three key priority areas:
The Foundation is actively seeking projects that fit these criteria. However, this is not an exhaustive list and any project that benefits community sport will be considered for match funding.
You must be able to provide £50,001 of new sponsorship money from a commercial or private investor towards your project. For each £1 that you secure from a commercial or private sponsor, the Foundation will match it £ for £ up to the maximum cost of your project (if your application is successful).
You can email the Foundation for further information on investment opportunities, funding applications or any other related issues, or call 0845 6036069.
Nottingham East Midlands Airport – Community Fund
The Nottingham East Midlands Airport Community Fund aims to support schemes that boost the quality of life for local people. The Community Fund is open to projects and organisations within a 10-mile radius of the airport.
To qualify for consideration, projects should meet one or more of the Fund’s objectives, which are:
See the web site to apply online or alternatively application forms for the Fund can be obtained from: Nottingham East Midlands Airport Community Fund Secretary, Building 34, Nottingham East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2SA
Rugby Football Foundation
The Rugby Football Foundation (RFF) is a Charitable Trust established by the Rugby Football Union. The purpose of the Rugby Football Foundation is to promote and develop community amateur rugby in England. The RFF has two capital funding streams:
Groundmatch Grant Scheme: The Ground Match Scheme provides easy-to-access grant funding for playing projects which contribute to the recruitment and retention of community rugby players. At this stage, the maximum available grant is £5,000 and the minimum £1,500. Grants will be available on the basis of “matching” clubs’ own funds (internally or externally generated) on a 50 : 50 basis. Clubs may only apply for one grant per project and are eligible for only one grant per financial year (i.e. per season).
Interest Free Loan Scheme: This scheme provides loans to clubs to help finance capital projects which contribute to the recruitment and retention of community rugby players. The maximum loan available is £100,000 and the minimum is £1500.
Loans will be interest free with the maximum loan period being 15 years.
Further Information and application forms for these two schemes can be found on their website.
Social Enterprise East Midlands
SEEM has been set up to support the creation and development of social enterprises in the East Midlands. A social enterprise is an organisation run along business lines with the profits generated being used for community benefit.
SEEM is managing a 'Sports Social Enterprise Project' that is actively helping create more social enterprises in the sport and leisure sector. SEEM has set up the Social Enterprise Development Fund covering the 6 counties of the East Midlands region with a particular focus on areas and communities of disadvantage and need.
The fund is for
And will be used to fund activities that support
This Fund will be open until September 2006. See the website for more information on the types of actions that it will support, who can bid, the amounts of funding available and to download an application form, guidance notes and supporting documents.
Sport for Communities project
Sporting Equals will be distributing £1 million in grants through the Sport for Communities project.
Grants are aimed at communities where sport can be used to encourage greater integration between people from different ethnic backgrounds, helping to enhance community cohesion and social inclusion. The five target regions identified by a research study are London, South East, Midlands, North West and Yorkshire and Humberside.
The closing date for receipt of application forms is 5pm, 30th June 2006, and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application during August. See the website for dates of regional road shows, and to request an information pack, or call 0121 7103017, email sport4com@gre.gov.uk.
Sport Relief
In the UK, Sport Relief provides small grants (up to £5,000) and aims to support projects that use sport and exercise to strengthen communities and provide opportunities for people who are excluded or disadvantaged. Over the next two years, up to £4million of Sport Relief money is being distributed through Community Foundations focusing on community groups that are using sport to:
View the website for contact details of distributors in the East Midlands.
Sportsmatch
Sportsmatch is a government funded initiative which can match £ for £ commercial business sponsorship for a grass roots sporting project. It acts as an incentive to businesses to sponsor sports project by effectively doubling their contribution.
For more information on how to apply see the website or call 020 7273 1942
Sub Regional Strategic Partnerships
These partnerships have been set up to deliver emda’s Regional Economic Strategy in local communities at a sub regional level. The East Midlands is covered by seven partnerships.
SSP’s bring together a wide range of interests, including business, public sector, voluntary and community groups. They have funds to support projects that will bring about economic benefits. If a strong economic argument can be made for a sport project, they may consider providing some funding.
Further information and contact details for the SSP's are available on the emda web site
Swimathon Foundation
The Swimathon Foundation was established in 2001 to help Butlins Swimathon swimmers and pools become more directly involved with the way their sponsorship money is spent.
As an independent charitable trust, The Foundation provides funding for smaller, local charities and other not-for-profit organisations, which benefit the health and well being of people in the UK.
Grants of up to £5,000 are on offer, with new projects aimed at helping the greatest number of people being the most likely beneficiaries. All groups and charities applying for funding through this programme must do so in partnership with their nearest Butlins Swimathon Pool. A one-off annual grant of up to £100,000 is also on offer for a UK-wide project.
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