At Spond, we’re committed to bringing you the latest funding opportunities for grassroots clubs and teams in the UK. If your football club, community group, or local authority is looking to extend playtime during the darker months, now is your chance! The Football Foundation is offering grants of up to £25,000 for the purchase of portable floodlights, helping clubs make the most of their training facilities. Find out more about this fantastic opportunity and how you can apply to get your grassroots club shining bright this winter.
Why Apply for a Portable Floodlight Grant?
Portable floodlights are a versatile and cost-effective way to keep your training sessions going when daylight hours are limited. Installing portable floodlights can transform your club’s facilities, making it possible to train in the evening without the financial burden of fixed floodlights. The Football Foundation grants make this even more accessible by covering both new and previously owned portable floodlights for use on artificial or natural turf training areas.
Who Can Apply for Football Foundation Grants?
You don’t have to be a football club to apply, but grassroots football must be central to your organisation’s activities. The Football Foundation grants are open to:
- Not-for-profit football clubs or voluntary groups
- Local Authorities
- County FAs
- Professional Club Community Organisations
- Educational establishments providing facilities for the community
- Registered charities
- Not-for-profit companies or Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Companies limited by guarantee
However, if you’re applying on behalf of a football club, only the Chair, Welfare Officer, Secretary, or Treasurer can submit the application. This helps streamline the process and ensure that only authorised personnel handle funding requests.
What’s Covered by the Grant?
The grant covers both new and second-hand portable floodlights, specifically for use on artificial or natural turf training areas. However, it’s important to note that there are certain exclusions:
- Portable floodlights for use on grass pitches used for match play are not eligible due to the risk of overuse during winter, which can negatively impact the pitch quality.
- Fixed floodlights on grass pitches are also not covered under this grant.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
When applying for the Football Foundation grants for portable floodlights, you’ll need to provide a detailed explanation of why they are necessary for your club. It’s crucial to demonstrate that your training area can handle the increased use and how you will manage it to avoid overuse of any single area.
If your organisation is already a partner on an existing Football Foundation 3G Football Turf Pitch (FTP), you’ll need to provide additional evidence showing the need for portable floodlights. This ensures that any new investment aligns with the development and business plans of the existing facilities.
If your application is successful, you’ll be required to:
- Insure the floodlights and store them securely at the site named in your grant application. Storing them off-site or at a personal residence is not permitted.
- Ensure they are only used by trained personnel over the age of 18 and operated according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- If purchasing previously owned equipment, it should come from a reputable dealer with at least a 12-month warranty.
Funding Limits and Application Process
The Football Foundation will fund up to 75% of your project costs, with a maximum grant of £25,000. Due to high demand, each applicant can only submit one application per season, so it’s essential to include all the necessary details to avoid delays or multiple submissions.
The funding is specifically for football clubs and teams. Only the Chair, Welfare Officer, Secretary, or Treasurer can submit and manage the application process. If a submission has been made by anyone else since 1 July 2023, it will be rejected, and the club will need to resubmit the application.
How Can Spond Help?
At Spond, we understand the challenges of running a football club or team. Our platform can make managing your club or team easier, from organising training sessions to collecting payments. But we go further – Spond can also help your club or team to raise the 25% of funds needed to make up the shortfall for grants like this one. Our Spot the Ball and Spond Superdraw are fantastic tools to help your club or team raise the money it needs with minimal effort.
Ready to Apply for Your Portable Floodlights?
This is an excellent opportunity for grassroots clubs and organisations to enhance their training facilities. Portable floodlights can help you make the most of your club’s training time during the darker months. Visit the Football Foundation website to apply now. Remember to review your application carefully to ensure you’ve included all the required information, making the process quicker and smoother for everyone involved.
Apply for funding now and see your grassroots football community in a new light!
Find Out More:
- Spond.com
- The Spond App
- Spond Club
- Football in Spond
- Fundraising in the Spond App
- Fundraising in Spond Club
- Spond Superdraw
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