The Sports Funding Landscape

Sports and recreation funding in the UK has reached unprecedented levels, driven by recognition of the vital role physical activity plays in public health, community cohesion, and social mobility. From Olympic legacy programmes to grassroots community initiatives, there's never been more support available for sports and recreation projects.

2025 Sports Funding Landscape

>£385M

Total sports and recreation funding available

189

Active sports funding programmes

78%

Success rate for community facility grants

Why Sports Funding is Booming

Government Priorities:

• Leveling up through sports infrastructure
• Tackling obesity and improving public health
• Youth engagement and crime reduction
• Community cohesion and social integration
• Economic benefits of sports participation

Post-Pandemic Recovery Focus:

• Mental health benefits of physical activity
• Rebuilding community connections
• Supporting sports organizations' sustainability
• Increasing accessibility and inclusion
• Modernizing facilities for safety

Major Sports Funding Bodies

Sport England

As the government agency for grassroots sport in England, Sport England distributes National Lottery and government funding to create opportunities for everyone to enjoy sport.

Major Programmes:

• Community Asset Fund: Up to £150K
• Strategic Facilities Fund: £150K - £2M
• Active Partnerships: Local investment
• Tackling Inequalities Fund: £50K - £500K

2025 Priority Areas:

• Under-represented communities
• Women and girls participation
• Disabled people's sport
• Mental health through sport
• Climate-friendly facilities

Sport Scotland

Programme Overview:

• Total investment: £65M annually
• Facilities Fund: £25M available
• Community Sport Hubs: £15M programme
• Small Grants: £300 - £5,000

Strategic Focus:

• Active Scotland delivery
• Equality and inclusion
• Rural and island communities
• Coach development
• Performance pathway support

Sport Wales

Leading the development of sport and physical activity in Wales, with £35M annual investment in community facilities, elite performance, and participation programmes.

Community Facilities

• Capital grants: £5K - £500K
• Equipment funding
• Accessibility improvements
• Green technology integration

Community Sport

• Club development grants
• Volunteer development
• Youth engagement programmes
• Participation projects

Welsh Language Sport

• Bilingual facility signage
• Welsh language coaching
• Cultural sports programmes
• Community integration

National Lottery Sports Funding

National Lottery Community Fund - Active Communities

Dedicated sports and physical activity funding stream supporting community-led projects that increase participation and improve facilities.

Programme Details:

• Total fund: £85M over 4 years
• Grant range: £10K - £500K
• Duration: 1-3 years
• Match funding: Not required
• Success rate: 42% (2024)

Priority Outcomes:

• Increased regular participation
• Improved community facilities
• Enhanced wellbeing and mental health
• Stronger community connections
• Greater inclusivity and diversity

National Lottery Heritage Fund - Sports Heritage

Programme Focus:

• Historic sports venues restoration
• Traditional sports preservation
• Sports history and archive projects
• Community sports heritage

Grant Information:

• Grant range: £3K - £5M
• Heritage significance required
• Community benefit essential
• Partnership working encouraged

Local Authority Sports Funding

Council Capital Grants and S106 Funding

Local authorities are major funders of community sports facilities through capital grants programmes and Section 106 developer contributions.

Capital Grants Programme:

• Grant range: £5K - £100K typically
• Community facilities priority
• Match funding often required
• Annual application cycles
• Local strategic plan alignment

Section 106 Contributions:

• Developer funding for local projects
• Sports and recreation provisions
• Geographic proximity requirements
• Substantial grants: £50K - £500K+
• Long-term planning needed

Regional Sports Partnership Funding

Active Partnership Investment

• Local delivery system coordination
• Small grants: £1K - £10K
• Capacity building support
• Innovation and pilot projects

County Sports Partnerships

• Strategic facility planning
• Coordinated funding applications
• Club development support
• Volunteer recruitment and training

National Governing Body Sports Grants

Major Sports NGBs Facility Funding

Football Foundation

• Premier League & FA funding
• Facility grants: £10K - £500K
• 3G pitch grants priority
• Grassroots club support
• Equipment and small grants

England & Wales Cricket Board

• Club facilities improvement
• Grant range: £1K - £50K
• Non-turf pitch installations
• Pavilion and clubhouse support
• All Stars Cricket programme

England Netball

• Court construction grants
• Equipment funding
• Facility improvement loans
• Back to Netball support
• Participation development

Lawn Tennis Association

• Court construction and refurbishment
• Indoor tennis facilities
• Equipment and coaching support
• Community tennis partnerships
• Disability tennis development

Emerging and Paralympic Sports

Paralympics Sports Funding

• Accessibility facility improvements
• Specialist equipment grants
• Inclusive design consultancy
• Participation development programmes

Emerging Sports Support

• New facility development
• Innovation in sports delivery
• Youth engagement priorities
• Technology integration support

Corporate and Foundation Sports Funding

Major Corporate Sports Programmes

Sky Sports Living for Sport

• Secondary school sports facilities
• Community use agreements
• £25K - £100K per project
• Mentoring and inspiration
• Long-term partnerships

Tesco Community Grants

• Local sports clubs and groups
• Equipment and facility grants
• £1K - £5K typical awards
• Community voting process
• Monthly application cycles

ASDA Foundation

• Community sports initiatives
• Youth engagement projects
• £500 - £2K grants
• Local community focus
• Employee nomination scheme

McDonald's Community Football

• Grassroots football support
• Equipment and kit funding
• Fun Football programme
• Local restaurant partnerships
• Youth development focus

Sports-Specific Charitable Trusts

Lord's Taverners

• Youth cricket development
• Disability sports support
• Equipment and facility grants
• Grant range: £500 - £10K

Rugby Football Foundation

• Rugby facility development
• Club sustainability support
• Community rugby programmes
• Grant range: £1K - £25K

Application Success Strategies

What Sports Funders Want to See

Community Impact:

• Increased participation: Clear numbers of new users
• Accessibility improvements: Removing barriers to participation
• Health and wellbeing benefits: Physical and mental health outcomes
• Social cohesion: Bringing communities together
• Youth development: Positive activities for young people

Organizational Strength:

• Sustainable operation: Long-term viability plans
• Community support: Evidence of local backing
• Partnership working: Collaboration with other organizations
• Qualified staff: Appropriate coaching and management
• Inclusive approach: Welcoming all community members

Building a Winning Sports Application

1. Demonstrate Need and Demand

• Local sports participation data and trends
• Consultation results showing community desire
• Waiting lists or over-subscribed programmes
• Gaps in current provision or facility shortfalls

2. Present Clear Outcomes and Benefits

• Specific participation increase targets with timelines
• Health and wellbeing outcome measures
• Economic benefits to the local area
• Environmental improvements and sustainability

3. Show Organizational Readiness

• Track record of successful project delivery
• Appropriate governance and management structures
• Financial sustainability and matched funding
• Safeguarding and health & safety policies

Common Sports Funding Mistakes

Project Design Issues:

• Facilities designed only for elite performance
• Insufficient consultation with target users
• No consideration of ongoing operational costs
• Lack of accessibility for disabled participants
• Poor location or transport links

Application Weaknesses:

• Weak evidence of community need or demand
• Unrealistic participation projections
• Inadequate financial planning and sustainability
• Poor partnership arrangements
• Missing safeguarding and welfare policies

2025 Sports Funding Calendar

Programme	Next Deadline	Award Range	Decision Timeline
Sport England Community Asset Fund	Mar 31, 2025	>£15K - £150K	16 weeks
Football Foundation Grants	Rolling	>£10K - £500K	12-20 weeks
National Lottery Active Communities	Apr 15, 2025	>£10K - £500K	18 weeks
Sport Scotland Facilities Fund	May 30, 2025	>£5K - £250K	12 weeks
Sport Wales Community Fund	Quarterly	>£1K - £100K	8-12 weeks
Local Authority Capital Grants	Various	>£5K - £100K	8-16 weeks

Success Strategy: Think Community First

The most successful sports funding applications put community benefit at the heart of their proposal. Show how your project will increase participation, improve health outcomes, bring people together, and create lasting positive change. Sports funders want to invest in projects that create thriving, active communities - not just better facilities.

Score Funding for Your Sports Project

Crafty's sports funding specialists understand what it takes to win grants for community sports facilities, grassroots clubs, and recreation projects. Let us help you build a winning application.

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