Clubs Receive Grant and Lottery Funding - Don't Miss Out!

[<<] [>>] by Ian Burridge
7th May 2020 (Other News)

We are aware that at least half a dozen clubs, large and small, that have successfully claimed £10,000 from the Small Business Grant or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Funds. If your club receives a Business Rates bill (even if you do not actually pay anything) you may be eligible. The schemes are available in England and administered by your local council, full details can be found here:-

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/../small-business-grant-and-retail-leisure-hospitality-grant-guidance-for-businesses.pdf

Entirely separately Sussex County are believed to have become the first croquet club in the country to successfully make an application for National Lottery funding from the Sport England Community Emergency Fund, receiving a significant four figure sum towards their lawn maintenance costs during lockdown. Club Chairman, Clive Hayton, said that the process was relatively straightforward, with the application approved in around a month and payment to follow shortly afterwards. It is believed that other croquet clubs could similarly benefit.

About the Sport England Community Emergency Fund

Part of Sport England's overall £195m support package to help the sport and physical activity sector through COVID-19, the £20m Community Emergency Fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need. It's specifically targeted at organisations, including those not currently supported by us, 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 ongoing crisis.

Awards will be between £300 and £10,000, and in in exceptional circumstances we'll consider awards of more than £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.

This £20 million fund of National Lottery money is designed to complement other sources of funding from the government, such as funds targeted at small businesses.

Further information on the Community Emergency Fund - including seeing if your organisation is eligible and the application process - can be found via sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/community-emergency-fund