Cash4Clubs

Due to an unprecedented volume of applications received, the Cash4Clubs 2023 programme is now closed. The high number of applications will result in a more competitive process. All applicants will be notified whether they have been successful or not, by the end of February 2024.

Cash4Clubs is a grant programme set up in 2008 to support local sports clubs. Over the last 15 years, it has distributed £800,000 plus an additional £4.2million through the ClubsInCrisis campaign during the Coronavirus pandemic. The programme has had an astounding impact through sport on thousands of people across the UK and Ireland.

Sported is helping Cash4Clubs to deliver their latest round of funding, offering grants of £2,000 (€2000) to community and voluntary sports groups across the UK and Ireland, delivering activities for a social purpose to under-represented communities.

The cost of living crisis has put enormous pressure on community sports groups. The ramifications of these clubs scaling back activities or closing their doors would be devastating to communities. This is why we are working with Cash4Clubs to get vital funds to the clubs that need it most.

This programme offers community groups the opportunity to access unrestricted funding to boost their sustainability and get more people playing, contributing to ongoing running costs such as facility hire, equipment, kit, coaching and volunteer expenses.

Who can apply?

Cash4Clubs is funded by Flutter UK & Ireland, part of Flutter Entertainment, the global sports betting, gaming and entertainment provider. For this reason, applications must include activities for adult members (18+), in order to be eligible. We cannot fund projects which are exclusively targeting young people under the age of 18.

We welcome applications from not-for-profit organisations, including charities, community groups and traditional sports clubs. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be either registered charities, community interest companies or clubs with a structured governance and constitution.

Applicants must demonstrate that they are using sport for social purposes, e.g. targeting communities facing disadvantage, engaging people from under-represented groups, or addressing local issues such as crime and anti-social behaviour.

To check you are eligible and make sure you have all the information you need to apply, please read the frequently asked questions below.

How much funding can our organisation apply for?

You can apply for £2,000 or €2000 to support your activities using sport for social purpose. You can apply for one grant of £2,000 or €2000 per club/group. We cannot give out awards to different teams within a club so please consider where the funds are most needed.

What is the deadline to apply?

The fund is currently open until 31 December 2023 but is likely to close earlier due to the high volume of applications received so far.

What does our application need to include?

This Cash4Clubs programme is all about supporting community sports groups and getting vital funds to those that need it most. We will prioritise applications which clearly demonstrate:

Access to sport for one or more underrepresented groups, including women and girls, people with disabilities, from racially diverse communities, from the LGBTQ+ community or from lower socio-economic groups.
Sustainability of your activities to keep people playing.
An increase in reach to engage with even more people.
Expansion of your activities to engage with new audiences that you haven't worked with before.
Broader social impact on the local community, e.g. tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, reducing loneliness, supporting mental health and well being.

What can the funding be used for?

The funding is unrestricted – we want you to tell us what you need it for! It can be used for anything that will support your organisation to continue and/or grow your activities in your local community. Typical examples of costs might include a contribution towards:

Venue hire including floodlights / heating
Coaching costs
Volunteer expenses
Equipment
Kit
Marketing and communications
Training and qualifications
Insurances and affiliations

What won’t you fund?

We are unable to fund trips abroad, costs associated with elite sport or talent development, or applications from schools and individuals.

What else do we need to submit along with our application?

We ask for four supporting documents, so we can carry out necessary due diligence checks to ensure we are funding safe and trusted organisations.

These are as follows:

A governing document, e.g. Constitution or Articles of Association. This is so we can ensure you are a charity or not-for-profit organisation benefiting the local community. Unfortunately, we are unable to fund Sole Traders or Companies limited by shares.

A bank statement in the name of your organisation and dated within the last 3 months. The statement should clearly show the sort code and account number, so we can make payment if you are successful. We do not need to see any transactions or balance. We are unable to fund personal bank accounts, so the account name must match that name of the organisation applying.
An up-to-date safeguarding policy, signed and dated, with a date for review. Your policy needs to detail a named lead safeguarding officer, a process for reporting concerns, and clear recruitment / training guidelines for paid and voluntary staff including DBS / Disclosure Scotland / Access NI / National Vetting Bureau checks.
Your organisation’s most recent financial accounts or cash flow statement.

When does the funding need to be spent?

The funding should be spent within a six-month period, to allow us to assess and report on the impact of the programme.

What reporting will we be required to complete?

You will be required to complete a short feedback form to help us understand how the funding has supported your organisation. You may also be selected for a grant audit so please keep copies of invoices paid and receipts for any items connected to the grant.