If you’re a club or organisation that is desperate for cricket funding but don’t know where to look for it or if you do find a grant you want to apply for but don’t what to write then this article is for you.
Each year thousands of clubs and organisations write funding bids. Some of those organisations are successful and some of those are not. If you are one of those organisations that don’t it can be quite difficult to understand the reasons why.
Below are Funding 4 Sports top 13 hints and tips to put your club and organisation in a better position when applying for funding:
1. Have a clear understanding of your project that includes; a brief description of the project, aims, objectives and outcomes of it, how you will deliver it, timescales, resources you require to deliver it, how you will sustain it and how you will monitor and evaluate the success of the project.
2. Be clear about your funding requirements before making an application e.g. ensure selection criteria for the funding scheme fits the aims and objectives of your project.
3. Be aware of funding deadlines and ensure it is submitted before the deadline.
4. Do not start work on your project until funding has been granted – Most funding bodies do not cover retrospective funding.
5. Does the club/project have any internal funds it can contribute – funders prefer organisations that can contribute something themselves.
6. Check how big the overall funding pot is and how much funding organisations have given out this ‘financial year.’ From this information you can analyse the potential/likelihood of success and whether they are underspent or not. For example, most organisations work a financial year basis from April to March, which means if they are currently underspent your chances of getting funding from these organisations is greatly increased if you can submit a good, justifiable application in the next three months.
7. Once you’ve found a potential fund, speak to someone from the organisation and discuss the outline of your project. Check whether this would be something they would consider.
8. Read all of the guidance notes and funding criteria.
9. Include as much relevant information as possible, but do not write excessive amounts and be clear and concise – Don’t waffle.
10. Ensure all relevant sections are completed and signed by the appropriate people and ensure the application has the correct contact details for the funder to get in touch with you and the club/project.
11. Ensure you attach all necessary documentation, e.g. constitution, accounts, project plan, quotes, appropriate letters of support etc. and keep a few copies of the application for future reference.
12. Call the funder to check that they’ve received it, and liaise with them where necessary, completing any extra requests promptly.
13. Don’t think of your funding need as COMPETING against all other clubs and other organisations out there looking for funds – learn from how they’ve done it. Read case studies and LEARN what they got money for, why and how much.
It is also important to understand the key things funders are looking for when you submit an application.
Below are Funding 4 Sports top 7 things funders look for when your club or organisation submits an application:
1. Need:
Funders want projects that meet a genuine need, and for you to have evidence of that need, they’ll also want to know exactly how their money will help improve things.
2. Clarity of purpose:
Ensure that your aims are clearly described. This means more than just listing your goals: funders will also want to know how you intend to achieve them.
3. A measure of success:
How will you measure the impact of your work? What would constitute a positive outcome? Most funders will want you to address these questions in your application.
4. A realistic budget:
Budgets should be realistic, transparent, and take into account any costs that might be incurred.
In the course of your project or work. Funders will also want to know that you can do your sums.
“Ensure that your figures add up – check and triple check!
5. Competence:
Proving that you can deliver is crucial. Demonstrate competence by showing what you’ve achieved in the past.
6. An exit strategy:
Even if one isn’t specifically required. If you make no mention of what you will do when their money runs out, [funders] will assume either that you haven’t thought about it, or that your default exit strategy is to come back to them and ask for more – neither of which are likely to impress them.
7. Attention to detail:
Answer all the questions and provide all the necessary documentation. Ensure that your final application is free from spelling and grammatical errors.
Do you know what to apply for?
Below are Funding 4 Sports top 10 funding streams that cricket clubs and organisations should apply for:
Cash 4 Clubs
Cash 4 Clubs offers all sports clubs in the UK the chance to win grants ranging from £250 to £1000. It is a simple scheme aimed at giving community clubs a helping hand and provide the opportunity to raise the money they need to invest in their club Items funded through the scheme include help towards coaching costs, kit and equipment.
Applications from mainstream and minority sport clubs will be considered.
Sport England (Small Grant)
The Sport England Small Grants Programme 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 any sum from £300 to £10,000 but the total project cost cannot exceed £50,000.
http://www.sportengland.org/
Sportivate
Sportivate looks to support and develop projects that will engage with and stimulate 11-25 year olds who don’t currently participate in sport or exercise. The funding available can help pay for coaches, equipment, venue costs, marketing or coach education.
Sportivate will fund 6-8 sessions after which there must be an opportunity for participants to continue with the activity.
http://www.sportengland.org/
BIFFAWARD
Biffa Award is for projects that provide and improve community facilities.
http://www.biffaward.org
England and Wales Cricket Trust Limited Interest Free Loan Scheme
The interest free loan scheme aims to finance capital projects, including renovations, to improve facilities which contribute to increased participation in cricket and benefit the community. The loan is to be repaid in equal quarterly instalments over the period of the loan.
The maximum amount of a loan is £50,000 and the maximum term shall be five years.
http://www.ecb.co.uk/
The Lord Taverners
The Lord’s Taverners provides various small funding for organisations to enhance the prospects of disadvantaged and disabled young people using cricket and other forms of sport and recreation to engage with them.
Sport England Inspired Facilities
Grants are available where there is a proven local need for a facility to be modernised, extended or refurbished to open up new sporting opportunities. Grants are available between £25,000 and £50,000. http://inspiredfacilities.sportengland.org
Sport England Protecting Playing Fields
The programme will fund capital projects that create, develop and improve playing fields for sporting and community use and offer long term protection of the site for sport. Projects are likely to involve the construction of new natural turf pitches or improvement of existing ones that need leveling or drainage works.
Thanks to Funding4Sport who provided this article; they specialise in the area of funding within the sports and community development industry. The website is a minefield of resources and Richard Sutcliffe is on hand to offer consultancy to help you snap up that funding stream, whatever the size or project.
http://www.funding4sport.co.uk
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