Sport England has launched the Movement Fund, aiming to support grassroots sport funding across the UK. This four-year, £160m fund is now open for applications, allowing clubs and projects to apply for grants of up to £15,000.
The Movement Fund’s primary goal is to tackle inequalities in sport and help implement Sport England’s “Uniting the Movement” strategy.
The Movement Fund
What is it?
Launched in April 2024, the Movement Fund offers crowdfunding pledges, grants, and resources to improve physical activity opportunities for those who need it most. If your project aligns with their priorities, Sport England can fund a wide range of costs and items up to £15,000. The focus is on supporting projects that match the goal of getting more people active, reducing inactivity, and tackling inequalities. Investments support the objectives of the Uniting the Movement strategy.
What Kind of Help Does it Offer?
Eligible organisations and projects can receive up to £15,000. Sport England provides this funding as either a contribution to a crowdfunding campaign or as a grant. These funds can cover various costs and items to deliver positive change in the community.
Crowdfunding enables organisations to raise funds by setting goals and promoting them to attract supporters who can contribute financially, often using discounts and experiences as rewards for donations. Sport England will let you know how they can support you and your project, along with any tools and resources to help you reach your goals.
What Sport England Funds
The Movement Fund supports projects that promote physical activity, including active travel, walking, cycling, dance, fitness, and sporting activities. Funding can cover:
- Equipment: Purchasing new or improved equipment required for delivering your activity.
- Refurbishing or upgrading facilities: Improving or creating spaces that provide opportunities for physical activity.
- Developing new capabilities and leadership skills: Providing formal training for staff and volunteers to improve their skills and leadership abilities.
- Delivery costs: Paying for the people and facilities needed to deliver the project, where these are new costs.
- Emergency relief: Helping with costs during a crisis, such as damage from extreme weather, that couldn’t have been avoided or insured.
Applying for Funding
If you have an idea to tackle inequalities and encourage more people to be active, Sport England wants to hear from you. Before applying, read their funding guidance. It explains:
- Who they aim to support
- The types of projects they are interested in
- The information you need to provide
- The help they can offer
To check if your project and organisation qualify for funding, there is a short quiz at the beginning of the application process. The straightforward application process gathers all the necessary information to help Sport England decide if they can support your project with either a crowdfunding pledge or a grant, all in one form.
Need Assistance?
If you’re unsure if the Movement Fund suits your project or need more information, contact Sport England.
- Call: 0345 8508 508
- Email: [email protected]
Sport England can provide hands-on support in developing your application, letters of support, or assistance with your programme’s budget.
You can apply online using the Sport England application portal.
Important Information
There are deep-rooted inequalities in grassroots sport funding in the UK, leaving many people feeling excluded. Research shows that individuals from certain groups face more barriers to being active:
- Lower socio-economic groups (NS-SEC 6-8) are more likely to be inactive.
- Women are less active than men, with this gap starting from a young age.
- Disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions are twice as likely to be inactive.
- People from Asian and Black backgrounds are more likely to be inactive compared to those from White backgrounds.
Addressing these inequalities is at the heart of the Uniting the Movement strategy.
Grassroots Sport Funding Grants Over £10,000
For grants exceeding £10,000, clubs must meet the Sport England ‘Code for Sport Governance – Tier 1‘. This code includes eight mandatory requirements to ensure clubs can effectively manage significant funding. More information can be found on the Code for Sport Governance page.
Sport England’s Movement Fund is a great opportunity for grassroots sport projects to get the support they need to make a real difference. If you have a project in mind, don’t hesitate to apply and take advantage of this fantastic funding opportunity.
Please Note: The information in this blog is provided for information only and to benefit Spond users. Spond has no official role in grassroots sports funding grants made by Sport England.
Find Out More
FAQs
