Grants for sports clubs: what is open now

Increasing opportunities for children and young people (CYP) to engage in sport, movement and performing arts in Newcastle

Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland

This fund aims to increase opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport, movement and performing arts in Newcastle. It is listed on the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland site as the Wembley Stadium Foundation Communities Fund. It is an organisation grant, so it suits groups working in Newcastle that want to open up more sport, movement or performing arts activity for children and young people. You can apply for up to £10,000. The fund is open for applications now and closes on 2 November 2026. Note that some other funds on the same page close earlier, on 19 October 2026, so make sure you are looking at the right closing date for this one. If you have not applied to the Community Foundation before, you will need an account on its grantee portal first. It is worth registering early so that nothing slows you down close to the closing date. The funder also has a page for new applicants where you can check that you and your activity meet its eligibility criteria, plus FAQs and a Help and Support page if you need extra help to apply. The listing on the page is brief, so read the full fund details through the "Read more" link before you start your application. If this fund is not the right fit, the Community Foundation says organisations in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland can make a general application at any time of year. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Reading Small Grants Fund 2026/27

Reading Borough Council

Reading Borough Council has set aside £150,000 for small grants to the voluntary and community sector in 2026/27. Grants of up to £7,500 are available to smaller local groups that want to help make Reading a more equal place to live. The fund can pay for one-off local events, running events, minor start-up costs to get a new idea off the ground, equipment and sessional costs. Your project should show how it builds the financial resilience of individuals or communities. It should also support the council's aims to tackle inequality and to be actively anti-racist. The fund suits charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, faith groups, sports groups, arts groups, cultural organisations, uniformed groups, schools and not-for-profit social enterprises based in Reading borough. Your annual income must be below £100,000. A share of the money is set aside for bids under £2,500, to support smaller local activities. If you only need £250 to £500, the council says you should apply for a micro grant instead. The deadline is 13 November 2026. The council says it will tell you whether you were successful before Christmas. One practical point to plan for: your project must meet an unmet need of Reading residents and must not already be available in your local area. You will also need to show it is not funded, or able to be funded, through other sources. You can only submit one bid per organisation, and you cannot ask for money to continue a project funded in a previous round. Funding must be spent within 12 months of the award. You will need to send an interim report after 6 months and a full report at the end of the project. Official source: https://www.reading.gov.uk/about-reading/voluntary-and-community-support/funding/small-grants-fund/guidance-small-grants-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

Islington Local Initiatives Fund

Islington Council

The Local Initiatives Fund is a small grants programme run by Islington Council. It supports local activities that bring real benefit to Islington residents. Each ward has an annual budget of £13,000, which local ward councillors can use for small grants. Money can go towards locally run activities such as sports clubs, local festivals, youth activities, estate community events, environmental improvements, education and training classes, and pensioner outings and day trips. There are three application deadlines. The next one is 21 January 2027, with final decisions communicated to applicants by early April 2027. The earlier rounds, on 28 May 2026 and 22 September 2026, have now passed. If your organisation sends in a form after a deadline, it will be considered in the next round. The fund normally pays for projects in advance of them taking place. Funding is likely to be confirmed 2 to 3 months after a deadline, so your project should start at least 3 months after the deadline. That way you will know the outcome before work begins. The council strongly advises you to contact your local councillors for each ward before applying. If you have received a Local Initiatives Fund award since June 2023 and that project has finished, send all the required monitoring information first. The council cannot accept a new application until it has this. Official source: https://www.islington.gov.uk/advice/voluntary-and-community-sector/funding-support/local-initiatives-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

Free Trees for Schools and Communities

Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is giving away free tree packs to schools, councils, clubs and community groups in England, Scotland and Wales. You receive saplings rather than money, so this suits you if you have land to plant and the time to look after young trees. There are eight pack types, with species mixes for hedges, copses, fruit and nuts, wildlife, urban streets and more. Packs hold 15, 30, 105 or 420 saplings. You can request up to four packs, as long as the total does not go over 420 trees. Each tree is 20-60cm tall and grown in the UK and Ireland. Applications are open now for trees delivered in March 2027. The Trust expects applications to close in January. It makes two deliveries a year, in March and November, and says it will tell you within eight weeks whether you have been successful. Before you apply, you will need the six digit grid reference for your planting site and permission from the legal landowner. The Trust also suggests reading its FAQs and contacting your local council's tree enquiries team. One thing to plan for: the packs do not include tree protection. You will also need to prepare the site and care for your saplings until they are established. Each pack comes with planting instructions and care tips. If your group is in Northern Ireland, a separate scheme applies. Official source: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Active Communities Fund

Wakefield Council

The Active Communities Fund is run by Wakefield Council with the Active Through Football project. It backs ideas that help people get out and about more and be active where they live. Grants of up to £1,000 are available. You can use the money for things like events, materials and tools for community assets, training, qualifications, mentoring for volunteers or staff, specialist expertise, technology, and marketing. The list is not exhaustive, and the council says it welcomes fresh, bold ideas. It suits charities, community groups, not-for-profit companies, community interest companies, social enterprises, faith-based organisations, and individuals or informal groups. Your project must take place in Hemsworth, South Kirkby, Upton, Ryhill, Kinsley, Fitzwilliam, Havercroft, South Elmsall or South Hiendley. Projects should reach inactive people, people on low incomes, or families with children. They should also create lasting change, involve local people and offer good value for money. You can apply at any time during the funding window, which closes on 1 February 2027. Applications are assessed by a small panel of local representatives and council colleagues. The decision is final, but unsuccessful applicants get support and can re-apply. One practical point. If you are successful, you must use the funding and share a case study and short questionnaire within 8 months of receiving it. You will also need to send a weekly register and make sure participants are registered on the UPSHOT system. Official source: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/sport-activities-and-classes/active-through-football/active-communities-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Wing Cdr. H. Thompson MBE & Rev. J. L. Green Grassroots Grants Fund

Cumbria Community Foundation

This fund from Cumbria Community Foundation gives grants to organisations in the Barrow-in-Furness area. It supports young people's personal development, education and involvement in the community, as well as environmental initiatives. It suits charitable, not-for-profit organisations that work with young people locally. Priority goes to projects that offer training in leadership, self-discipline and life skills for young people, or that encourage respect for the environment. The funder gives some examples of projects it has supported. These include a sailing trip for disadvantaged young people, equipment for a judo or karate club, training costs for Scouts or Guides, and running costs or building repairs for Sea Cadets. Grants will normally be up to £1,000 over one year. That makes this a good fit for small, grassroots groups with a clear and modest ask. The fund comes from an anonymous donor. Applications are made through the foundation's online application portal, and there is a step-by-step help guide to walk you through it. One thing to bear in mind: the fund does not support individuals, in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions. If you are unsure whether your project fits, you can contact Siona Hartley at the foundation on 01900 820824 or by email at siona@cumbriafoundation.org. Official source: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/wing-cdr-h-thompson-mbe-rev-j-l-green-grassroots-grants-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Football Foundation Small-Sided Facility Improvements

Football Foundation

The standard route offers up to £25,000 and up to 75% of costs to improve an existing small-sided artificial pitch, up to 37m by 27m. Discuss the work with a Football Foundation Technical Project Manager before applying. Larger proposals need a separate discussion. No deadline is published.

Manchester Active grants for children and young people’s cycling

Manchester Active offers grants up to £1,000 for cycling projects that help children and young people. Your project must happen within Manchester City Council boundaries. It must benefit Manchester residents. You need to sign up to Manchester Active's Provider Portal after getting funding. You must have £10 million public liability insurance. You need to meet Manchester Active's delivery standards. The application process is rolling with no set deadline.

Northumberland S106 Housing Developer Fund for Sport, Play and Recreation

Northumberland County Council

This fund from Northumberland County Council pays for children's play areas and outdoor sports and recreation facilities. The money comes from section 106 contributions made by housing developers. It can cover new facilities or improvements to existing ones. Examples include new children's play areas, new sports pitches or areas, new equipment in an existing play area, upgraded changing rooms for outdoor sport and specialist equipment such as a cricket roller. In some areas of the north, certain indoor sports and recreation facilities can also be funded. It suits not-for-profit organisations such as community groups, residents' associations, sports clubs and schools. Your project must be in one of the specific geographical areas the fund covers, and it must be open to the general public. If a sports club or school applies, you need to include appropriate arrangements for wider community use. Individuals and businesses cannot apply. The page does not give a set award size. How much is available depends on the amounts collected at the time and on requests from other projects in the same area. Funding can be limited, and sometimes there is none available. The council publishes a table of available balances and lists of past awards, which can help you see what has been funded in your area. To apply, you complete the S106 Housing Developer Fund application form. Read the evaluation criteria and guidance notes first. A panel of council officers assesses applications and makes recommendations. Applications for more than £100,000 take longer to assess and approve. Official source: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/business/grants-funding-0#funding-for-sport-and-play. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Premier League Defibrillator Fund

Football Foundation

The Premier League Defibrillator Fund helps grassroots football facilities install an automated external defibrillator (AED) and an external storage cabinet. It is an investment from the Premier League, supported by the Football Foundation, The FA and Sport England. The aim is to help save the life of someone having a sudden cardiac arrest. More than 2,000 sites are expected to benefit. Once installed, the devices should be available to an estimated 1.5 million people who use these facilities each season. The fund suits clubs and facilities that do not yet have an easily accessible AED. That means one that can be reached and returned from within 200 metres of the pitch. It is open to Football Foundation funded facilities, affiliated grassroots clubs that own or operate their own facilities, clubs at Steps 5 and 6 of the FA National League System, and clubs at Tiers 3 and 4 of the FA Women's Football Pyramid. Each recipient must have at least one person complete The FA Education's free online Sudden Cardiac Arrest course. You will also be shown how to register your device with the emergency services so members of the public can use it, and given guidance on updating your emergency action plan. One practical point: if you say your club owns or operates its facilities, you are confirming that you have security of tenure through freehold, leasehold or a licence to occupy, or a long-term agreement to manage the site for someone else. Official source: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/premier-league-defibrillator-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Football Foundation Grass Pitch Drainage

Football Foundation

This Football Foundation grant helps you improve drainage on grass football pitches. It pays for capital works recommended in your PitchPower Assessment Report, where other options such as better maintenance have been exhausted. Fees for a qualified sports pitch consultant, or for a feasibility check on smaller projects, can be included in your request. It suits not-for-profit football clubs and voluntary groups, local authorities, County FAs, charities, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations, as long as grassroots football is an integral part of what you do. Clubs in the Premier League, Football League, National League System (Step 1 to 6) and similar top tiers cannot apply. The page does not give a closing date. You apply online. Before you do, you need a PitchPower inspection for every pitch that will be improved. You will also need two like-for-like quotations, evidence of partnership funding, photographs of the pitches and written landlord consent unless you own the facility. Piped drainage systems need a feasibility study and specification from a qualified agronomist or sports pitch consultant. If water will discharge into a ditch or watercourse, permission from the Environment Agency or your local authority may be needed, and it must be in place before you apply. The grant will not cover routine maintenance such as grass cutting or line marking. It will not pay for items already bought or projects already started. One practical point is secure tenure. For grants up to £25,000 you need freehold or uninterruptable leasehold for 5 years from the date of the grant offer. For £25,001 up to £100,000 it is 10 years. After the works, you are expected to keep pitches to the GMA 'Good' standard and submit pitch data through PitchPower each year. Assessment typically takes around two weeks. Official source: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/grass-pitch-drainage. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Football Foundation 3G Pitches Funding

Football Foundation

The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and Government's charity. Its 3G Pitches funding is available up to £25,000. It is for projects where grassroots football is an integral part of what you offer. You do not have to be a football club to apply. The page lists not-for-profit football clubs and voluntary groups, local authorities, County FAs, Professional Club Community Organisations, registered charities, not-for-profit companies, community interest companies and other social enterprises, companies limited by guarantee, and educational establishments that provide facilities for the community. Some applicants are excluded. These include individuals, sole traders, national governing bodies and commercial or for-profit entities. Clubs in the Premier League, Football League, National League System (Steps 1 to 6), Women's Football Pyramid (Tiers 1 to 4) and the Welsh Premier League cannot apply. Schools and colleges that provide facilities only for their own students are also out. If you are a football club, the Chair, Secretary or Treasurer must submit the application. You apply online through a Football Foundation account. One practical point: Pitch Replacement Fund contributions and updated Terms and Conditions apply to 3G installation projects. Read the Foundation's before-you-apply guidance for 3G pitches and its Pitch Replacement Fund advice before you start, so you know what to expect. Official source: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/3g-pitch. Last checked by GrantMatch on 15 October 2026.

Develop community sport

Manchester City Council

Manchester City Council provides funding to support community sports activities and programmes. The grant helps sports clubs and community organisations provide sporting opportunities, improve facilities and increase participation in physical activities. Only organisations based in Manchester can apply.

Lionesses HERe to Play Fund: HERe for Facilities

Football Foundation

Grants from £1,500 to £25,000 help make community football facilities safer, more inclusive and welcoming for women and girls. Funding covers up to 75% of eligible costs. This is the facilities route; the separate HERe for Teams kit and equipment route is closed and is expected to reopen in May 2027. No facilities application deadline is published.

Football Foundation Portable Floodlights Grant

Football Foundation

This Football Foundation grant helps you buy portable floodlights for a training area. It sits within the Foundation's support for grassroots football. To apply, you will need to explain why you want to buy portable floodlights. You must also show that your training area can cope with extra use. For example, you could explain how you will rotate usage so that no one area is overused. The funder sets clear conditions on care of the equipment. The floodlights must be covered by suitable insurance and stored securely at the applicant's site named in your application. Buying or storing them off site or at a personal residence is not allowed. You will need to give photographic evidence of the secure storage. Only suitably trained people over 18 may use them, and they must be operated and maintained as the manufacturer recommends. If you plan to buy previously owned equipment, it must come from a reputable dealer with a minimum 12-month warranty. If your organisation is a partner on an existing or proposed Football Foundation 3G pitch, you will need to explain why the floodlights are required. Where the Foundation has made a significant investment in a 3G pitch because you are a key partner, you must also give written assurance that the floodlights will not harm the 3G site or its Site Development or Business Plan. One important caveat: funding will not be provided for floodlights on grass pitches that are used for matchplay. Official source: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/portable-floodlights. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Quarry Hill Grassroots Fund

Cumbria Community Foundation

The Quarry Hill Grassroots Fund from Cumbria Community Foundation gives grants to projects that improve health and help people reach their full potential. It is aimed at charitable, not-for-profit organisations that work with young people to promote taking part in sport, especially young people who face barriers to getting involved. Grants will normally be up to £5,000 over one year. Preference goes to projects that benefit people and communities in North Cumbria. The funder gives priority to projects that support children and young people facing significant challenges or barriers. It also prioritises projects that tackle issues in rural communities, where access to opportunities is limited. The page gives some examples of projects the fund has supported. These include equipment for a netball club, cricket activities for females, wheelchair football sessions, floodlights for a community lawn tennis club, an achievement programme for young people and a lakeside residential youth training and activity centre. One thing to know before you start: the fund will not support individuals, in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions. Applications are made through the foundation's online application portal, and there is a step-by-step help guide to walk you through it. If you have questions about the fund, you can contact Siona Hartley at the foundation on 01900 820824 or by email at siona@cumbriafoundation.org. Official source: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/quarry-hill-grassroots-grants-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund

Access Sport / Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund

The Angus Irvine Playing Fields Fund helps local community groups and sports clubs give more children and young people the chance to play sport. It is run by Access Sport, a UK charity that works with young people in deprived communities, with a strong focus on young disabled people. The fund began in 2012 as the Playing Fields Legacy Fund, set up by the late Angus Irvine. Grants are typically between £2,500 and £5,000, although a larger grant may be possible in some circumstances. You can ask for money towards some or all of the following: developing and improving playing fields and other facilities; projects to prevent youth crime and anti-social behaviour; training and qualifications for volunteers; building long-term sustainability, such as marketing and finance expertise; and the organising, coaching and other key running costs of community sport. The aim is to grow your capacity to reach more young people. Activities should focus on young people aged 5 to 18 who might otherwise miss out on sport. This includes disadvantaged young people, women and girls, young people from minority ethnic communities, and young offenders or those at risk of offending. Funders want to see a competitive cost per new participant from these groups and a commitment to long-term sustainability. You must be based in Greater Manchester, Oxfordshire, Greater London or the West Midlands, and be based in or serving a borough or ward in the top 20% for deprivation. Sports clubs get priority. There is no fixed closing date. The committee meets four times a year, and applications that meet the criteria are considered in January, April, July and October. One practical point: the fund will not pay for the whole of a facility build or renovation. You will need to show that other funding is secured, or be willing to work with the Access Sport team to find it. Official source: https://letstalk.coventry.gov.uk/funding-and-opportunities. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

A Place for Sport Crowdfunder

Sport Wales

A Place for Sport Crowdfunder from Sport Wales gives match funding to not-for-profit sports clubs and community groups that raise money for their facilities through Crowdfunder. It can help with internal or external facilities and modernisation works. Examples include fixing or upgrading changing rooms, toilets or showers, renovating a clubhouse, improving kitchen or bar areas, adding bike racks or storage, making your space more accessible with ramps or lifts, fixing fences or adding stands and seating, and buying scoreboards, video equipment or pitch maintenance tools. If you meet the conditions, Sport Wales will give you 50% of your total, up to £15,000. This can rise to 60% if your project targets under-represented groups or is in a high-deprivation area, based on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Sport Wales has a crowdfunder calculator that shows what you need to raise, how many people need to donate and how much you could receive. To unlock the contribution, you must raise at least 25% of your total target, get donations from a minimum number of supporters (this number varies with your target) and reach your target by a set deadline. Your project must also benefit people living in Wales and involve the local community in its development and delivery. Applications are open all year round. You will need to create an account on the Sport Wales grants and funding portal and submit an expression of interest form. Sport Wales says it will reply within 2 working days with next steps. One practical point: your project needs its own fundraising page on Crowdfunder, so the fundraising starts with you. You only receive the Sport Wales contribution if you hit the goals above. Official source: https://sport.wales/funding/crowdfunder. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Lamont Pridmore Grassroots Fund

Cumbria Community Foundation

The Lamont Pridmore Grassroots Fund, run by Cumbria Community Foundation, gives grants to organisations in the former local authority area of Allerdale, and particularly in the Workington area. It was set up by the donor, Lamont Pridmore. The fund backs initiatives that reduce poverty, improve health, tackle social inequality and help people reach their potential. It also supports projects that nurture a sense of place or promote climate action. The funder gives some examples of what it has supported. These include theatre workshops for schoolchildren in deprived areas, coaching training for a local trampoline club, kit and equipment for a junior football club, premises hire for youth club activities, and music workshops and master classes in schools. So small, practical, community-level costs are well within scope. Grants will normally be up to £3,000 over one year. That makes this a good fit if you run a small group and need a modest sum for a clear piece of work. The fund is for charitable, not-for-profit organisations. It will not support individuals, and the foundation's normal exclusions also apply, so read those before you start. All applications are made through the foundation's online application portal. The page links to a step-by-step help guide to walk you through it. If you have questions, you can call Lisa Blackwell on 01900 825760 or email grants@cumbriafoundation.org. Official source: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/lamont-pridmore-grassroots-grants-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

The Movement Fund

Sport England

The Movement Fund from Sport England offers grants or crowdfunding pledges from £300 to £15,000 for physical activity projects in your community. The focus is on people who face barriers to being active, and on projects designed to help them join in. You can apply for projects that set up new activity sessions or experiences, or that improve or create spaces for people to be active. It can also pay for the equipment people need. Other projects can combine environmental sustainability with physical activity opportunities, help organisations build their capacity and capability so they can support people in their community, or respond to emergencies that have stopped people taking part and help get activity going again. Projects can run for up to 12 months. There is no submission deadline, so you can apply at any time. You will usually get a decision within six to eight weeks. You might be offered a grant, where Sport England gives you money to deliver your project. Or you might be offered a crowdfunding pledge, where Sport England gives you half of what you need if you raise the other half from your community. Sport England decides which type to offer based on your application. The fund invests more than £20 million of National Lottery and government money each year. It receives more applications than it can fund, so priority goes to projects that get more people active, reduce the number of inactive people and tackle long-standing inequalities. Projects that give opportunities to people who have typically had fewer chances to be active are also prioritised. One practical point: apply at least 12 weeks before you want to start activity or spend any money. Official source: https://www.sportengland.org/funding-and-campaigns/our-funding/movement-fund. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Thomas Graham Grassroots Fund

Cumbria Community Foundation

The Thomas Graham Grassroots Fund is run by Cumbria Community Foundation. It gives grants to voluntary-led groups and organisations for projects that involve sport and young people. The fund covers Carlisle and West Cumbria, and the money comes from the donor Thomas Graham & Sons Limited. The page gives three examples of what the fund has supported: uniforms for children's rugby teams, gymnastic equipment for a youth centre, and coaching courses for three volunteer coaches. These are small, practical costs, so the fund may suit you if your group needs everyday kit or training for young people. Make sure your project clearly involves both sport and young people. Grants will normally be up to £2,000 over one year. The page does not give a closing date. Charitable and not-for-profit organisations can apply. Individuals cannot. The foundation's normal exclusions also apply, so read those before you start. All applications are now made through the foundation's online application portal. A step-by-step portal help guide is linked from the funder's page. If you have questions about the fund, you can contact Siona Hartley on 01900 820824 or by email at siona@cumbriafoundation.org. Official source: https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/fund/thomas-graham-grassroots-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Stimulus Fund

Suffolk Community Foundation

The Stimulus Fund from Suffolk Community Foundation helps charitable, voluntary and community groups to bring more people into tennis in Suffolk. It pays for project costs on small, local grassroots schemes. The fund was set up by the Suffolk Lawn Tennis Association. It wants to take tennis further into the community, both socially and geographically. It also wants to give people who have not had the chance before an opportunity to play. Projects should promote tennis in areas of deprivation, including rural areas, and help people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable. You can ask for up to £1,000. The fund aims to encourage young people up to the age of 30 to enjoy tennis or return to it. The emphasis is on increasing membership and making tennis sessions sustainable. Activity camps that include other sports can also be considered, as long as tennis is a major part and an experienced tennis coach supports the sessions. The fund is open all year round. Decisions are made on a regular basis as demand dictates, so there is no closing date to work towards. One practical point to note: any application that involves tennis coaching should only be undertaken by qualified LTA coaches. The page also says social enterprises cannot apply to this fund. If you have questions, you can call a Grants Officer at Suffolk Community Foundation on 01473 602602 before you submit your application. Official source: https://suffolkcf.org.uk/grants/stimulus-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Grow Your Club Grants

Wakefield Council

Grow Your Club grants help sports and physical activity clubs in Wakefield District to welcome more junior members. If your club is ready to bring in new young players, this could give you a helpful start. Successful clubs receive £500 to run introductory sessions for new junior participants. You can spend the money on a coaching course for a new volunteer, buying new equipment or hiring a venue for the sessions. Your club must be officially linked to a National Governing Body that is recognised by Sport England. The council is especially keen to support smaller clubs with room to grow, clubs and participants from lower-income areas, girls and women's teams, ethnic minority participants and teams, and disabled participants and inclusive teams. The sessions must be aimed at new young participants who will eventually join your club's youngest age group. In football, for example, the youngest team is usually Under 7s, so sessions would be for 5 to 6-year-olds. Sessions must run for at least three months. One practical point to plan for: the council expects clubs to charge a small fee to help cover costs and keep the sessions going. It wants clubs to keep running these sessions regularly, so they bring in new young members year after year. You can apply now through the Wakefield Council page. Official source: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/our-people-and-communities/grants-and-funding/grow-your-club-grants. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.

Football Foundation 3G Pitch Maintenance Machinery and Equipment

Football Foundation

This Football Foundation grant helps clubs and organisations pay for machinery and equipment to maintain a 3G pitch. You apply through your Football Foundation account by choosing the 3G maintenance machinery and equipment option. The Foundation asks for no more than one application per season from each applicant, unless it has agreed otherwise with you. It cannot accept more than one site in a single application. So it pays to take your time and include everything it asks for first time. That helps speed up decisions and saves you from submitting several applications for the same item. Before you start, have your paperwork ready. You will need a 3G pitch test certificate, or agreement to add your pitch to The FA 3G Pitch Register. You will also need two like-for-like quotations for each item from different suppliers, and evidence of partnership funding. You will enter the price and VAT, if it applies. Photos of the equipment you are replacing, and of where the new equipment will be stored, are also needed. If you want to buy previously owned equipment, you must provide 12 months warranty from a reputable dealer. This is the main practical catch to plan for. After you submit, you get a confirmation email. The Grant Management Team then assesses your application. You should normally hear by email within ten working days, with a link to download your decision letter and Terms and Conditions from your account. If you are successful, the Foundation provides the funds. Support and guidance resources are available if you need help with your application. Official source: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grant/3g-maintenance. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.