Grants

[SeanC]

Sport England have just given us (DFOK) a sizeable grant for equipment from their "small grants programme" to help us put on more local events.*

I'm mentioning this here because I suspect there may be less money for such grants next year onwards, given the slightly dodgy state of the public finances. Now might be a good time to try for an award. ?? Or do you disagree?

We did have to fill a big form in, but it wasn't as hard as I imagined. A bit like applying for a job, but a few of us worked on the application and our RDO was very helpful in getting the language correct. We have a few more forms to fill in, but definately a quicker way of funding equipment than putting on the equivalent orienteering events. My club is small and it might be easier for bigger clubs with more people to help?

Essentially their aims and ours are the same - to get more people to do orienteering, though they put it like this

"To run a number of open days to raise awareness of orienteering in the community to enable people to see how accessible and enjoyable the sport is. Funding would be used to purchase modernised equipment".

* confirmed in principle, but we need to send a few more bits of paperwork.

[DavidJ]

Well done but ...

Funding would be used to purchase modernised equipment".

I see what you mean about getting the language correct. I would never have thought of using that phrase.

[Red Adder]

My club successfully applied for a grant to have several small areas aimed at introductiory events mapped. Only a few hundred quid - we were advised later we should have been far more ambitious, but it certainly seemed the best way to win on the lottery.

The forms where not too bad, well not after 30 yrs experience filling in such BS in for a large company. I would suggest you need a very clear aim , a target audience (esp kiddies), evidence that the club is also contributing (often in kind will be fine) and also get in early. This year the window opened 1 April so ideally you want to start putting your plans together by 1 February. I think it helps if you can measure your success - increased participation is relatively easy to monitor for example.

Also a bit of patience helps as you will be dealing with Civil Servants who, while helpful, will not necessarily understand the vagaries of our sport. Prompt and polite replies to their queries seemed to be effective.

[SeanC]

Yes I would agree with that. I think this is where the BOF development team should be useful - suggesting the best sources of funding, how much to apply for etc. There are also County Sports Partnerships and local authorities who could also help with advice.

So far we've not spoken to anyone at Sport England. We just filled the forms in online, redrafted several times following advice, pressed submit and received notification via email a few weeks later. That may change of course.

Yes, why not be ambitious with grant applications? We're a good cause and these people have money they simply have to give away. As well as Sport England, BOF and local authorities I guess there are other sources, private trusts perhaps? Not sure what happens in Scotland and Wales?

Anyway, FYI, here are the Sport England award types to get you thinking (cut and paste from their guidance). Quite a bit of jargon, but not impossible to work out what they mean.

Sport England guidance wrote:

Small Grants has been set up to support local community sport projects which seek to increase participation, sustain participation or develop opportunities for people to excel at their chosen sport. You can apply for awards between £300 - £10,000.

Sportsmatch increases investment in community sport by matching sponsorship
money pound for pound to support the development of grassroots sport in England. You can apply for awards between £1,000 - £100,000 for revenue projects and £1,000 - £25,000 for capital projects.

The Innovation Fund will seek to harness new ideas and attract new partners to find breakthrough solutions for grassroots sport. You can apply for awards from £10,000
upwards.

Rural Communities is the first Themed Round which aims both to address barriers
and create new opportunities for participation in sport in rural communities. You can apply for awards from £10,000 upwards.

Sustainable Facilities Fund will ensure facilities continue to provide high quality
opportunities for people to play sport year after year. You can apply for awards from £10,000 upwards.