SPORTS PROJECTS FUNDERS
This page is a list of organisations who will consider sports project funding for children and young people, the list includes support for specific sports or for general activities, with many funders looking to support inclusive projects.
You can also see our fact-sheets on how to develop and implement fundraising strategies.
Sports Funding ⚽
Andy Gibson Foundation
The advancement of the amateur sport of hockey throughout England for the public benefit by the provision of or assistance in the provision of facilities for participation in the sport of hockey.W: www.andygibsonfoundation.co.uk
Arthur J C Kendall Memorial Fund
Aims to encourage, promote and develop participation in athletics as a means of promoting physical health in the youth (under 21) of the community and to ensure where possible that poverty shall not be a restricting factor in such an involvement.Applications in writing to:16 Poyntell Crescent, Chislehurst, BR7 6PJ. Phone: 02087787167FFI:
Charity Commission: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/327356/contact-information
Charity Commission: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/327356/contact-information
Avon Tennis Grant & Loan Schemes
Avon Tennis offers funding support to help clubs/Venues grow the game and engage more players across all ages. Whether you’re looking to boost membership, increase participation, or run new coaching or competition sessions — we’re here to help. Grants up to £2,500 – For small-scale projects not typically covered by LTA funding. School outreach programmes leading to new junior and family memberships at your club.Interest-free loans up to £15,000 (repayable over 10 years) – For larger capital improvement projects where full funding is not readily available through club funds or third-party monies.No more than 50% of the project will be funded. Facility upgrades including floodlighting, court resurfacing, club buildings, or security fencing (Priority given to these projects)Need Just a Small Amount?If you’re planning a small initiative (under £250), like promoting an open day or building local partnerships with a youth group for example, we have a simpler quick-apply form just for you. Project Example – Open day promotions or taster sessions with local youth groups or community organisations, such as brownies/scouting group.For information on how to apply – go to:FFI: https://www.avontennis.org.uk/grant-loan-scheme/
Barclays Community Sport Fund
In partnership with Sported, the Barclays Community Sport Fund offers grants, bespoke support, and exclusive ticketing opportunities to make football, tennis, and cricket more accessible in communities across the UK*.The £1.4 million-a-year fund provides grants to community groups that are:1. Making football, cricket, or tennis more accessible to women and girls2. Operating in areas of high deprivationThey offer funding for football, tennis, and cricket coaching courses to help increase the number of female coaches delivering sport to girls.They welcome applications from not-for-profit organisations, including community groups, youth groups, and traditional sports clubs, who are submitting on behalf of the individuals who want to undertake their coaching qualifications. Groups are welcome to apply from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.You can apply for two grants per club to cover the cost of, or a contribution towards, a Level 1 or equivalent introductory qualification and any additional safeguarding and first aid requirements for your sport. You can apply to upskill up to two female coaches at your club or group.Level 1 coaching grants:
- Football – £160 grant
- Tennis– £200 grant
- Cricket– £200 grant
The funding programme will open on 22 April 2025 until 22 August 2025.
FFI: https://sported.org.uk/barclays-community-sport-fund/
Blue Spark
We support a wide range of projects initiated by many different organisations and individuals. We value academic, vocational, artistic and sporting endeavour in equal measure but we are particularly keen to support projects which will help enhance the self-confidence, team working skills and future employability of children and young people.
Projects which we support include:
Projects which we support include:
• Drama
• Music
• Sport
• Art and design
• Debating
• Public speaking
• Academic education
• Vocational training
• Community projects
• Enterprise projects
• Educational excursions
This list is illustrative and not exclusive as to the types of project that we support.
FFI: https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/
Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation
The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation issues grants to charitable organisations with particular emphasis on those connected with the performing arts and the promotion of cricket. There is no minimum or maximum amount you can apply for. It is a continuous rolling programme.FFI: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/326898/contact-information
Cash for Clubs
Cash4Clubs is a sports funding scheme, giving clubs a unique chance to apply for grants to improve facilities, buy new equipment, gain qualifications and invest in the sustainability of their organisation.The Cash 4 Clubs scheme has given out sports grants to many deserving recipients and is committed to funding even more sports clubs in the future. They offer small grants of 2,000 GBP/Euro to community sports clubs and organisations across the UK and Ireland. To find out when the scheme is open go to: https://cash-4-clubs.com/
Cricket Foundation
The Cricket Foundation is an independent charity that raises funds to deliver its two cricket programmes: the schools’ cricket programme, ‘Chance to Shine’, and inner-city cricket programme, ‘StreetChance’.They also have a range of free resources for schools. FFI: visit: https://www.chancetoshine.org
Dan Maskell Tennis Trust
Grants available to help disabled people in the UK to play tennis through the purchase of wheelchairs, tennis equipment and grants for coaching.https://www.danmaskelltennistrust.org.uk/
Dickie Bird Foundation
The vision of the Foundation is to assist young people under 16 years of age to participate, to the best of their ability, in the sport of their choice irrespective of their social circumstances, culture or ethnicity and to ensure that, in doing so, they improve their chances both inside and outside sport.Grants provided by The Foundation are limited to no more than £500 per individual so that they can spread their funds widely to the neediest individuals. Please note that Grants are payable to disadvantaged children aged under 16 for essential sports equipment. Travel or coaching are not payable. Payment is for individuals therefore teams/groups should not apply. FFI: www.thedickiebirdfoundation.co.uk
ECB County Grants Fund
The County Grants Fund aims to support affiliated cricket clubs to create welcoming environments, provide enhanced facilities and playing opportunities, and to help clubs tackle the impact of climate change.Who can apply?
The scheme is open to all ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales. What type of projects are eligible?
The scheme is open to all ECB affiliated cricket clubs in England and Wales. What type of projects are eligible?
•Creating welcoming environments – open to affiliated cricket clubs registered for All Stars or Dynamos, or actively involved with women’s and girls’ competitive cricket and / or disability cricket. It is an expectation that any junior programme will include and actively engage with girls
•Enhanced facilities and playing opportunities for women’s and girls’ cricket and / or disability cricket – open to affiliated cricket clubs actively engaged in competitive female only cricket
•Tackling climate change – Open to any affiliated cricket clubs
How much can be applied for?
Clubs can apply for between £1,000 (minimum) and £10,000 (maximum) per application.
How to apply:
Please visit website for guidelines and registration:
W: https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/club-support/club-funding/county-grant-fund
Football Foundation
Whether it’s a set of new goalposts, refurbishing current facilities or state of the art 3G pitches The Football Foundation offers grants and schemes which are funded by The Premier League, The FA and Government.Where do they fund? Funding is provided in a large number of locations in the United Kingdom.The amount of funding available is dependent on your area, so if you’d like to find out more view our https://localplans.footballfoundation.org.uk/What they will fund: They can help fund a wide range of things from new kit to new pitches and most things in between. If it can help improve your local football facilities, grow participation in the game and enrich the lives of people in your community they will be excited to hear your ideas.Applications are made online.How to apply: visit their website for updated information on the above schemes:www.footballfoundation.org.uk
Fred Perry Tennis Trust
Our mission is to improve access to youth grassroots tennis.By refurbishing community courts and sponsoring accessible coaching programmes for the local community, we want to encourage participation in youth tennis across the UK. https://fredperrytennistrust.com/For general or press enquiries please contact tennistrust@fredperry.com
Gear Up for Sport
Each month, the Arnold Clark Community Fund will be giving away 150 sports kits to support youth sports teams. From basketball to boxing, rugby to running clubs, any youth team with up to 30 members aged 4-15 is eligible to enter. For up to date information visit: https://www.arnoldclark.com/community-fund
Happy Lane Fund
Sport and physical activity has the power to change lives for the better. The Happy Lane Fund is designed to open up tennis to people of all backgrounds and abilities across the West of England (Avon Tennis area). See website for more information.
W: https://wesport.org.uk/funding/happylanefund/
W: https://wesport.org.uk/funding/happylanefund/
Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for UK clubs and projects which will enable disadvantaged children and young people aged 5-21 to participate in sport.FFI: https://www.js25.co.uk/
Keith Coombs Trust
Gives grants to support amateur sport.Address: S & U PLC, 2 Stratford Court, Cranmore Boulevard, SOLIHULL, WEST MIDLANDS, B90 4QTPhone: 01217057777 http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/charity/the-keith-coombs-trustEmail: christineingram@suplc.co.uk
Kits 4 Kids Grants – Poundland Foundation
Local kids’ sports teams can apply for a grant of up to £750 to be spent on new kit (clothing).We’ll be opening another application window later this year.www.poundlandfoundation.org.uk. To register your interest please email: foundation@poundland.co.uk
Maverick Stars Trust
Offers support to boxing clubs through a variety of schemes. Follow the link below to see the full range of projects they support: https://maverickstarstrust.co.uk/our-schemes Address: Pax Meadow, Hall Lane, Mobberley, KNUTSFORD, Cheshire, WA16 7AE Phone: 07721407166 Email: enquiries@maverickstars.co.uk Website: www.maverickstars.co.uk
Mike Procter Foundation UK
Will fund sporting activities and equipment for young people in Bristol, Bath and Gloucestershire (in particular cricket). Contact Information:Address: 8 THE BREACH, DEVIZES, SN10 5BJPhone: 07843593872FFI:https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5115304/charity-overview
Peter Harrison Opportunities through Sport
They accept applications for this programme from charities and CASCs throughout the UK that support organisations and activities that use physical activity to enable disabled people and those who face disadvantage to fulfil their potential and to develop personal and life skills. They have 3 grant programmes open:
- Active Lives – £5-30,000 to provide opportunities through sport and activity
- Positive Futures – £5-£30,000 opportunities for children. And young people in SE Engalnd.
Peter Harrison Community Fund – is currently closed to new applications.
Visit the website to see when it re-opens.
W: https://peterharrisonfoundation.org/about-our-grant-programmes/
READY – sport without boundaries
READY raises funds to help young people with disabilities participate in sports and healthy activities. They provide grants for equipment such as racing wheelchairs, basketball wheelchairs, prosthetics, ramps, team kits, swimming lessons, and transport.More information
Rowing Foundation
Provides grants of £500-£4,000 (up to 50% of the project cost) for organisations affiliated to British Rowing. Funds are mainly for equipment used on the water, focusing on juniors and disabled participants.More information
Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation
The Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation is a charity using the power of sport to make the world a better place. They support a variety of sporting opportunities from football, tennis and golf.. For up-to-date information on their projects visit:https://www.sirstanleymatthews.co.uk/
Sport England
The Movement Fund provides crowdfunding pledges and grants to support active lifestyles and community enrichment. The focus is on people who face barriers to activity and projects designed to help them join in.Key facts: Apply for £300 to £15,000. No application deadline. They decide to offer you a crowdfunding pledge or a grant. You usually get a decision within six weeks.
FFI: https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding
Sport Relief
Sport for Change supports projects using sport to drive positive social change. They provide funding guidance, impact measurement support, and strategic partnerships.For up-to-date information on current funding opportunities go to:https://www.comicrelief.com/sportrelief/
The Avon Squash and Racketball Association
Promotes squash and racketball to players of all abilities.Email: admin@avonsquash.co.ukMore information
The Lord Taverners – Disability Sports Programmes
Supports sporting and recreational activities for young people facing poverty, disabilities, or special needs.
- Provides adapted minibuses and sports wheelchairs
- Creates new participation and competition pathways
- Funds play, sports, and sensory equipment
The National Hockey Foundation
Offers grants of £10,000-£75,000 to support young people (up to 21 years) in hockey activities, including capital and revenue costs.More information
The Tony Coles Charitable Trust for Youth Cricket
Supporting the activities of cricket clubs in the South West, in particular in relation to the development of youth cricket. It supports children, young people, and people with disabilities. In can make grants to individuals and organisations. For more information go to: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3947121/charity-overviewContact email: NIGELMANLEY52@HOTMAIL.COM
The Toyota Parasport Fund
A £200,000 UK-wide programme supporting equipment and training for disability sport. Open to Parasport-registered organisations.More information
Wesport
A sports charity promoting physical activity across the West of England. More information
Wooden Spoon – The Children’s Charity of Rugby
Supports projects benefiting children with disabilities or facing disadvantage. More information
Youth Sports Trust
The leading UK charity for improving education and development through sport and play. More information
