Football Foundation

You are here: Residents >  Leisure and Culture >  Sport and Leisure >  Sports Development >  Funding Sources > Football Foundation

 

 

The Foundation plays a key role in revitalising grassroots sport, investing in our parks, schools and playing fields and harnessing the power of the game within our communities, to promote education and social inclusion. Its mission is to improve facilities , create opportunities and  build communities .

 

 

Facilities Scheme  provides funding to refurbish or construct changing rooms, grass and artificial pitches and clubhouses for community benefit across the country. Following submission of an application to the Foundation, every application will be judged on its own merits.

 

Judgement will be based on the amount of football development/social benefit for the grant requested. This should be the primary judgement of value for money, with less emphasis on percentage of total project cost.

 

The Foundation would consider a relatively higher level of support if a project:

1) Makes significant impact on under-represented groups in football, in an area where there is a demonstrable under-representation:

a) BME participants

b) Women and girls

c) Disability

d) Low income groups

 

2) Is in an area with an outstanding need for a facility, where there are no feasible alternative sites.

 

3) Can demonstrate a financial need for a higher level of support e.g. Voluntary Sector.

 

The Foundation has a fast track system for schemes of under £20,000. Additional funding is available for maintenance equipment, specialist ground staff, coaching schemes or project co-ordinators. This funding is available only when linked to capital applications.

 

Community and Education Scheme  funds a maximum of £250,000 over five years, 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, but applicants are encouraged to secure as much partnership funding as possible.

Community and Education Small Grants Scheme provides funding of up to £9,000 for projects with a cost of £10,000 or less. Funding is available for the introduction of new activity, which aims to increase participation and provide training for volunteers to support grassroots football.

Goalpost Safety Scheme provides funding for the replacement of unsafe goalposts. The Foundation will assist in the funding of 50% towards the cost of a pair of goals up to a ceiling of £1,500. Research conducted found that 42% of Mini-Soccer goals, 50% of five-a-side goals and 22% of junior goals failed stability tests. The Goalpost Safety Scheme aims to replace goals, which fail to meet the British Standards safety requirements.  

 

Junior Kit Scheme funds applications up to £400 in the form of a voucher. This is awarded to Under 18 teams and adults with disabilities to be used for the purchase of football kit and/or equipment. The voucher can be exchanged with our nominated kit and equipment supplier - Nike. Schools may receive only one grant every three years. Clubs may apply for two vouchers every three years, as long as one application is for a girls' team, and the other is for a boys' team.

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 dependent on level/status of applicant club.