What is the Scheme?
Grow the Game provides funding for projects that use football to increase participation by both players and volunteers
This is done by supporting the costs associated with providing new activity.
Can you apply?
Applications are welcome from organisations that are 'not for profit'. We will not fund individuals.
Organisations must have a constitution, child protection policy, equal opportunities policy and income/expenditure records.
Please note organisations that have an existing Community Small Grant are not eligible to apply for a Grow the Game grant.
Organisations will only be able to apply for one Grow the Game grant every four years.
What do we give money for?
Grow the Game provides funding to contribute towards a combination of the following essential costs associated with providing new football activity:
- Facility hire
- Hire of FA qualified coaches and referees
- CRB checks
- Affiliation fees
- League entry
- First aid kits
- Promotion and publicity
- FA coaching courses
There maybe some flexibility for projects that are specifically targetting disabled players, this will be determined by the Football Foundation. Should this be relevant for your project, please speak to the relevant Community Programme Manager.
The Foundation does not fund retrospectively and will not consider applications for costs that have already been made or are due before an offer of a grant has been awarded.
There is no funding available for groups wishing to apply for charitable status, further support is available from the Charity Commission's website.
How much money can we give you?
Organisations setting up one team are able to receive £2,500 over two years with financial support being reduced in the second year of the project.
For organisations setting up two or more teams a £5,000 grant is available over two or three years with financial support being reduced in the second or third year of the project.
No partnership funding will be requested.
Educational establishments are only able to apply for up to 50% of the total grant allowance. Projects must be extra-curricular with the exception of special schools.