Sports funding
There are various sources of funding available to help clubs and aspiring individuals achieve their sporting goals.
National funding schemes
Sport England
The Sport England website provides information for both individuals and organisations about national funding agencies as well as funding from Sport England itself.
The Big Lottery Fund
This Fund brings together the work of two National Lottery distributors: the Community Fund, which provides funding for charities and the voluntary and community sectors, and the New Opportunities Fund, which provides funding for health, education and environment projects. The Big Lottery Fund has a number of funding strands available to sports clubs and community groups with projects which meet the funding criteria.
Sportsmatch
Sportsmatch is a government funded scheme set up to encourage the business sector to invest money in sport at a grass roots level. Sportsmatch acts as an incentive by matching the money pledged by a sponsor in the first year of sponsorship. This reduces to 50% of the sponsor's conribution in the second year and 25% in the third year. Any not-for-profit group can apply, and sponsorship can be in cash or in kind.
Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme
This scheme supports potential future Olympic athletes. It is targeted at around 100 young sportspeople who have the potential to be a medallist at future winter and summer Olympiads and international sporting competitions. Most stars of the future are known by their national governing bodies and already receive support to develop in their sport - it is therefore these bodies are in the best position to identify athletes that meet the criteria.
Local funding schemes
Community grants
Information about sources of funding and council grant aid, including grant aid application pack and advice on how to apply.
Awards for All
Awards for All England is supported by the Arts Council England, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England. A4A offer grants of between £300 and £10,000 for people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities, and projects that promote education, the environment and health in the local community.
Jack Petchey Foundation
The Jack Petchey Foundation gives grants to programmes and projects that benefit young people aged 11-25. The foundation is eager to help young people take advantage of opportunities and play a full part in society.
GLL Sport Foundation
GLL Sport Foundation assists the development and potential success of young sports people. The foundation aims to reduce the financial burden of training and competition costs on talented young athletes, many of whom aspire to participate in the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. The foundation will engage and recognise youth sport and support talented young athletes specifically within 16 partner boroughs in London (including Ealing) where GLL operate sports facilities. The foundation also seeks to assist coaches of youth sport by providing funding to increase coaching qualifications.