Funding

GRANTnet Funding Database

GRANTnet is a free-to-use service which allows community and voluntary groups, sports and other clubs, schools, social enterprises and small businesses to search across a huge range of funding sources. It takes the form of an online, step-by-step questionnaire that provides you with the latest information on grants, local funding events, training and other relevant information (see GRANTNet Plus).

Every user will recieve follow up from a funding officer who can offer advice and guidance on making any applications.

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Sport England Funding opportunities

Sport England is committed to the creation of a world-leading community sport environment. This means focusing our investment on organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation in grassroots sport and create opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport.

The funding programmes that are currently open are:

• Small Grants
• Sportsmatch
• Themed Funding Rounds
• Iconic Facilities Fund

The second round for Protecting Playing fields opens on 24 October 2011 and closes on 12 December 2011 

NEW - INSPIRED FACILITIES

A £50m "Inspired Facilities" programme to refurbish or upgrade sports facilities; or convert an existing building into a venue suitable for sport and accessible to the whole community, has been launched recently by Sport England.

Sport England has pulled together a catalogue of typical facility developments and improvements. The improvements are grouped into five areas:

• Building modernisation
• Outdoor sports lighting
• Outdoor sports surfaces and AdiZones
• Modular buildings
• Sports equipment

Community and voluntary organisations and parish and town councils can apply for grants worth between £20,000 and £50,000. At least 70% of the funding available is set aside for these groups.

Local authorities, statutory organisations, and education establishments can apply for grants between £20,000 and £150,000. Sport England detail that £150,000 grants will be exceptional.

If one of the groups benefiting from the planned project is disadvantaged young people aged under 18, you can apply for additional funding from the Thomas Cook Children's Charity.

The dates for the first three funding rounds are:

• Round 1 - August 1, 2011 to September 28, 2011
• Round 2 - February 1, 2012 to April 2, 2012
• Round 3 - July 23, 2012 to September 17, 2012
• Rounds 4 and 5 will take place in 2013/14.

IF YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE PHONE 08458 508 508 OR EMAIL  SPORT ENGLAND 

Sportsmatch

Sportsmatch 2011-12 opened to new applications on 17 January 2011 for projects starting after 1 April 2011. The first awards will be made in early April and regular Panel meetings will be held until November. The last date for submitting applications is 19 September 2011 - but applicants are advised to apply in plenty of time for when they want their project to start, and competition for funding usually increases towards the end of the year.

Sportsmatch 2011/12 is now open to new applications.

The application portal will close on 19 September 2011. Speak to the Sportsmatch team: 08458 508 508For more information and guidance visit the Sport England website

Bridging the Gap Fund

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which has recently received further funding from the Government, has made over £80,000 available this financial year for grants to organisations in former Coalfields wards around Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport.

Grants up to £5k will be available to support activities that improve health and
wellbeing, develop skills and support and promote volunteering.

The programme will continue from the previous 3 year Bridging the Gap Fund which ended on 31st March 2011 having given £240,000 to West Cumbrian Coalfields community groups.

The Fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.

Cumbria Talented Athlete Fund

The Cumbria Talented Athlete Fund has been created as part of the sporting legacy of London 2012 to support Cumbria's most talented athletes.

The fund is being supported by South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria County Council,  Allerdale Borough Council and Active Cumbria. 

The Ambition AXA Awards

We all dream of being the best at something; here is a helping hand. The Ambition AXA Awards are searching for the UK's most gifted and driven young people.

Do you have something special and want to be the best? Then why not apply to the Ambition AXA Awards today?

If you are between the age of 11 and 18 and really want to succeed, whether it's in sport, enterprise, the arts, science, or the community, the Ambition AXA Awards are an opportunity to make your dreams come true.

Barrow Borough Sports Council Grants for Individuals

This fund is for individuals who take part in training or performance for a national or GB team.

Priority will be given to low participant groups, particularly people with a disability, 50+, womne and girls and the black and minority ethnic community.

Maximum of £350

The Copeland Volunteering Fund

A brand new fund to support volunteers who want to broaden their horizons at national and international events.

Eden Leisure Grant Fund Support for Individuals

Excellence and personal development in sport and the arts. This will usually mean participating at national level and beyond for sports related applications.

Applications are considered by the Community Services Portfolio Holder.

Applications accepted throughout the year, subject to budget.

Maximum of £300

Eden Passport 2012 - Partnership programme with Parkwood Leisure.

Provides applicants with free access to the Council's Gym and swimming pools at Penrith and Appleby. Provides tailored fitness programme where required.

Eligibility:
Competing at national level
Aged 16 or over
Resident within Eden District
Competing in 105 nationally recognised sports

Talented Individual Fund - South Lakeland District Council

Performing at County level or higher?

Maximum grant of £200.  In third year of funding maximum of £100.

Must reside within South Lakeland Distrit Council area.

Kendal Rotary Club

Criteria must be performing at regaional level.

The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund

Invites applications from young track and field athletes who are in education and may need financial help towards training or provision of equipment.

Applicants must be aged between 15 and 23 years, medalists from their National Schools AA, AAA U17, & U20 or U23 Championships or in the top six of the appropriate UK ranking lists.

Torch Trophy Trust

The Trust provides small Bursaries to assist volunteers in sport and presents Awards to individuals who have been identified as making an outstanding contribution as a volunteer in their chosen sport.

This is a CCPR endorsed charitable organisation encouraging voluntary work within sport for the benefit of local communities. Bursaries are available up to £1000.

Sportsaid Foundation

• Youngsters aged 12 to 18, from 50 able-bodied and 25 disability sports. 
• Awards, generally worth £500, help with costs such as travel, training, accommodation, competition fees and equipment.
• SportsAid invites over 2,000 nominations a year from up the 50 different sports. Nominees must be identified and nominated by their National Governing Body of Sport's official representatives, based on their talent and sporting results.
• Athletes should meet the following criteria: Performance: Member of the GB/National team or squad member. Eligible to compete for GB. 
• Age: between 12 and 18 years old, or up to 35 for disability sports. 
• Funding: should not be in receipt of other Pathway funding including TASS or Lottery.

READY

This charity provides financial support to disabled young people, (up to 21 yrs).  Funding can provide assistance with access ramps, disabled toilets, changing facilities, specialist sporting and recreation equipment.

Cauldwell Trust

The Trust will donate to individuals for specific items to enable young people with disabilities to take part in sport e.g. Racing Chairs, Boccia Equipment etc (Not travel expenses or training costs)

Cash For Kids (Cumbria)

CFM's Cash for Kids will distribute money to young people in Cumbria to pay for specific equipment. Projects must be for the benefit of young people under the age of 18; who are disabled and have special needs or who come from underprivileged backgrounds.

Rebuilding Lives Through Sport

Whizz Kids

Whizz-Kidz is a children's mobility charity who will fund children and young people under 18, who have limited mobility or no mobility at all, with Sports Wheelchairs.

Wheelpower - Wheel Appeal

The Wheel Appeal is aiming to provide over 2,000 disabled people with a new sports wheelchair, training and coaching that will enable them to participate in sport and enjoy competitive and recreational sport. The Wheel Appeal will either fund 'standard' manual sports wheelchair or provide a grant towards a 'bespoke' sports wheelchair.  Unfortunately the Wheel Appeal does not provide funds towards power wheelchairs.

Swimathon Grants

The Foundation have recently launched a grants scheme whereby swimming pools, community groups and charities who would like to help more people enjoy swimming can apply for funds of between £300 and £2,500.

The Foundation is offering grants of between £300 and £2,500 to swimming pools, community organisations and charities who can demonstrate how funding will allow them to help more people participate in and enjoy swimming and to make swimming more accessible.

Neighbourhood Forums

There is still over £28,000 available for Copeland Community Groups in the last round of the Neighbourhood Forums for 2010/11.  Grants are given to voluntary/non-profit organisations, or community initiatives.  Projects must be of community benefit but there are criteria which applications must fulfil.  For example they cannot fund events that intend to pass on surplus income to other organisations, LEA schools or churches unless there is wider benefit.

Lowca ARLFC Youth Section recieved £600 as part of a multi application towards the cost of new strips and safety equipment for three new teams.

County Council Local Committee for Allerdale Community Grants

Between January and the end of March 2011 there is still money available in some grants pots for community groups across Allerdale.
There is still a total of approx £40,000 available across the 12 neighbourhood forums in Allerdale; £75,000 available in the Allerdale local committee Early Years grants pot, aimed at groups running Early Years Child care settings; £8,500 available for applications from groups running 6-12 yrs age range childrens' activities.

A £1,000 amateur sports club grant could be yours

The Daily Telegraph, in partnership with RBS, will now help local sports communities by awarding five £1,000 support packages each month for the next year to encourage the development of amateur and community sports clubs across the country.

In order to do so, you have to tell them about your club, your successes, those who have served above and beyond the call of duty, what your club has done or would like to do within your community, and how you would put your £1,000 grant to use.

"What a timely boost for the clubs who nurture our champions of tomorrow. Pennies from heaven." Adrian Christy chief executive, Badminton England