Grants of up to £1,000 (or up to £5,000 for existing grant recipients) are available to UK not-for-profit organisations, including community groups, youth groups and traditional football clubs, to make football more inclusive and accessible within communities.
The Sported Foundation (Sported UK) has partnered with Barclays to provide another round of the Barclays Community Football Fund, offering small grants, training, kit and exclusive ticketing offers to clubs across the UK to make football more accessible within local communities.
The Barclays Community Football Fund aims to help reduce inequalities in football by supporting community sports groups who need it most. The programme focuses on groups operating in areas of high deprivation and supporting young people from the following underrepresented sectors:
- Girls (Sported is especially keen to support girls football teams).
- Women.
- Young people from racially diverse communities.
- Young people from the LGBTQ+ community.
- Young people from lower socio-economic groups, and
- Young people with a disability.
Community sports groups can apply to receive:
- £1,000 Access Grants to spend on increasing underrepresented young people’s access to play.
- Up to £5,000 Deep Impact grants available for existing fund recipients.
- Coaching grants to get more women qualified to coach girls’ football at a grassroots level.
- Access to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training and resources, or
- Exclusive opportunities to apply for Premier League and Barclays FA Women’s Super League tickets, mascot opportunities and exclusive promotional experiences.
New groups that have not previously received a grant from the Barclays Community Football Fund may apply for a grant of up to £1,000 (this was previously £500). Groups may only apply for one grant award, rather than make multiple applications. Applications may be made by not-for-profit organisations, youth clubs, community groups and football teams, providing they meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Already include an offering for girls OR are wanting to start delivering girls' football.
- Are keen to learn more about how to engage with new, underrepresented audiences.
- Deliver football activities to young people (up to and including 24 years of age) OR are wanting to start.
- Have a bank account in the name of their organisation.
- Have a constitution or Articles of Association.
- Have a health and safety policy and any relevant risk assessments.
- Have a Safeguarding policy (which has been updated within the last two years).
- Have the aspiration and capacity to grow their membership of young people from under-represented groups. This includes girls, young people with disabilities, from culturally diverse communities and from the LGBTQ+ community, and
- Have up to date and relevant insurance.
Examples of how grants can be used include (please note that this is not an exclusive list):
- Coaching.
- Equipment and kit.
- Hiring venues.
- Insurances and membership fees.
- Training and qualifications, and
- Volunteer expenses.
Further information, guidance, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and details about how to apply is available on the Sported Foundation's website. New applicants to the Fund will be required to register before they can access the application form.
The Fund reopened on Monday 15 July 2024 and has a deadline for applications of Sunday 15 September 2024. Sported has previously stated that the Fund may close early if it becomes oversubscribed. Early application is therefore advised.