Aims/priorities: Grants are available to enable grassroots football clubs and organisations in England to restart or deliver new activities after the period of COVID-19 restrictions. The Fund seeks to support Disability Leagues, FA Women's National League Clubs (Tiers 3-4 of the Women's Football Pyramid), Professional Club Community Trusts, Charter Standard Clubs and community organisations who deliver football activity to restart or create new activity following the period of COVID-19 restrictions. Funding is intended to be used for the following projects and activities:
- Changes required to adhere to published Government and FA guidance.
- Additional sports equipment to minimise sharing and safely deliver activities.
- Providing safety and sanitation to keep equipment clean.
- Staffing costs associated with helping activity providers to restart activity or provide new activity.
- Extra facility hire costs to create more space for players and volunteers.
- Coach education courses eg qualifying coaches for new teams.
- Appropriate training of club volunteers to ensure they meet current guidelines.
- Marketing and communication materials to promote and reinforce safety protocols to members.
- Any other reasonable cost directly associated with restarting activity or providing new activity.
Who can apply? Applications are accepted from football clubs and organisations providing football activity in England. Eligible organisation types include:
- Clubs and organisations who provide football activity.
- Disability Leagues.
- FA Women's National League Clubs (Tiers 3-4 of the Women's Football Pyramid).
- Professional Club Community Organisations.
Grant must be used towards either:
- Returning to football - restarting football activity across all groups. The Football Foundation particularly seeks to support applications with a focus on disability, BAME, women's or walking football groups that have lapsed due to lockdown and COVID-19.
- New football activity - delivering new football activity that was cancelled due to lockdown and COVID-19.
Grant amount: The maximum grant available depends on the type of organisation applying, as follows:
- Professional Club Community Organisations - £2,500.
- Disability Leagues - £2,500.
- FA Women's National League Clubs (Tiers 3-4 of the Women's Football Pyramid) - £2,000.
- Charter Standard Community Clubs - £2,000.
- Charter Standard Development Clubs - £1,000.
- Charter Standard Youth Clubs - £750.
- Charter Standard Adult Clubs - £500.
- Not-for-profit community groups - £500.
Grants should be spent within three months of award.
Application process: Applications must be made online via the Football Foundation's grants portal. Organisations must first create a user account and can then access the application guidance notes and the online application form.
Deadline: 28 March 2021
Contact information: Tel 0345 345 4555, Email returntofootball@footballfoundation.org.uk
Website address: Return to Football | Football Foundation