Football Foundation – Small Grants
Grants are available for purchasing equipment and items to enable grassroots football organisations in England to restart activities after the period of COVID-19 restrictions.
Objectives of Fund
The Small Grants programme seeks to enable grassroots football organisations in England to restart activities after the period of COVID-19 restrictions by providing funding for purchasing equipment and items such as goalposts or pitch maintenance machinery.
Grants of up to £25,000 can be awarded.
The grant size available depends on the type of investment that the club is applying for. Details on the grant sizes are available in the guidance notes that can be accessed at the website of the Football Foundation.
Match Funding Restrictions
Match funding is required for certain activities. The percentage depends on the type of investment that the football organisation is applying for.
Who Can Apply
Applications are accepted from football clubs and community sports organisations providing men’s football in England. Eligible organisation types include:
- Not-for-profit football club or voluntary group.
- Local Authority.
- County Football Association.
- Professional Club Community Organisation.
- Educational establishment providing facilities for the community.
- Registered charity.
- Not-for-profit company.
- Community Interest Company (CIC) or other social enterprise.
- Company limited by guarantee.
Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Individuals.
- Sole traders.
- National governing bodies.
- Commercial or for-profit entities.
- Clubs within the Premier League, Football League, National League System (Step 1 to 6), Regional Feeder League (Step 7), Women’s Football Pyramid (Tier 1-5) or the Welsh Premier League.
- Educational establishments providing facilities solely for their students.
Eligible Expenditure
The funding is intended for smaller capital projects and the maintenance/improvement of facilities.
The following can be funded:
- Ball retention systems.
- Fencing.
- Goalposts.
- Minor works to changing rooms and club house refurbishment.
- Pitch maintenance – contractor services.
- Pitch maintenance – drainage.
- Pitch maintenance – maintenance machinery.
- Portable floodlights.
- Storage containers.
- Improvements to playing surfaces.
How To Apply
Applications may be made at any time, preferably not more than once per football season.
The application process is available online at the Foundation’s website. Organisations must first create an account for the Foundation’s grants portal and can then access the application guidance notes and the online application form.
