Sport England has confirmed that it is making up to £195m of funding available to help the community sport and physical activity sector through the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
A £20 million Community Emergency Fund will be opened immediately for local clubs and community organisations to bid into. Grants between £300 and £10,000 are available.
This aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need and builds on the success of similar previous funds such as the Sport England Flood Relief Fund.
This fund is specifically targeted at clubs and organisations, including those not currently supported by Sport England, who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but who are experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of COVID-19. Organisations can apply for grants between £300 and £10,000.
The types of organisations eligible include local sports clubs forced to close at short notice but who are facing ongoing costs around maintenance and utility bills and voluntary and community sector organisations who deliver or enable sport and physical activity.
A specific example might be a grant to support a local boxing club pay costs for their facility when no activity is taking place or a grant to support a league who have paid for equipment to run a competition which has now been cancelled.
Clubs should consider the funding support that the government has available before they apply to this fund. Further details on eligibility and criteria for the Community Emergency Fund can be found here.
If you would like any assistance in preparing an application please contact ryan@snowpsortengland.org.uk