Whether you’re a small football club looking for some funding for a new kit, or you work for a school that needs a new Astroturf pitch there will be something for you in this section.
Just check our dedicated section which details the ways that the Football Foundation and several other organisations can help your group. For a bit of inspiration, we have also thrown in a page of success stories. If you’re pushing your club forward, then essexfa.com wants to hear from you!
All of the funding pots in our Opportunities page have a link for further information. However, if you require any assistance, please contact the ECFA County Development Manager, Brendan Walshe, on (01245) 393075 or E-Mail brendan.walshe@essexfa.com.
Football Foundation 'Grow the Game' Scheme
Grassroots clubs and organisations are being made aware of the opening of a window for ‘Grow the Game’ funding from the Football Foundation, with up to £5,000 available in grants to support the growth and development of football in the area providing applications are received by Friday 26th February, according to John Manning from the Essex County Football Association.
Grow the Game is one of the many schemes organised by the Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity, providing cash for projects using football to increase participation by both players and volunteers, supporting the costs associated with providing new activity. It contributes towards ‘not for profit’ expenses such as facility and referee hire, affiliation fees, first aid and courses and organisations setting-up one team can receive £2,500 over two years, with backing reduced in the second year of the project.
Those setting-up two or more teams could also access £5,000 over two or three years in a similar fashion though Grow the Game is naturally very popular and before submitting an application contact should be made with the ECFA for guidance as Senior Football Development Manager John Manning recommends: “Once the application is received by the Foundation the County FA are asked to submit comments on the document and these are taken into consideration when they make their decisions. Therefore, speaking to us first enables us to provide the key priorities and objectives of the organisation which will help structure an application, offering the best possibility of success.”
A full range of support services are additionally available for those who prove to be successful and John is keen to stress the involvement of the ECFA doesn’t cease after just the application stage alone. John continued: “If an application to the Foundation is successful we’ll offer assistance and support in helping to achieve its aims and purposes. Over the last six months we have been reviewing and developing our provision to clubs and organisations in the County who have received this, along with a bi-annual meeting for groups gaining the Community Large Grant funding.”
“Although this scheme is focused on developing new teams, there have been a real variety of projects supported in the past,” he added. “These range from developing teams to bridging the gap between clubs’ youth and adult sections, enhancing women’s and girls’ setups, disability football and improving community street leagues. We also produce regular newsletters, offer training workshops and organise an annual festival to celebrate the good work undertaken by local projects supported by the Foundation.”
The deadline for applications to the Football Foundation is Friday 26th February and full details are available on their website at www.footballfoundation.org.uk. In the first instance, however, contact with the Essex County Football Association is recommended in order to give the bid its best possible chance of success, so call John Manning on (01245) 393095 or E-Mail john.manning@essexfa.com.
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