Is your club eligible for funding?

Many funding opportunities are only available to not for profit organisations. This doesn’t mean you can’t generate income or pay coaches. It means your organisation operates to benefit its community rather than to make profits for owners or shareholders.

Examples include:

• Sports clubs
• Charities
• Schools
• Community Benefit Societies
• Not for profit companies, such as Community Interest Companies (CICs)

You’ll also need at least three leaders who are not related to each other or living together. Decision making and voting rights should be shared fairly.

If you’re applying for more than £10,000 from British Weightlifting, you’ll need to meet Tier 1 of the UK Code for Sports Governance.

If you run a sports club, make sure you have:

• A club constitution setting out how your club operates.
• A committee that meets regularly and keeps meeting minutes.
• A separate bank account in the club’s name.

Funders will usually ask for proof of your club bank account if your application is successful.

Tip: A community or treasurer’s bank account may have lower charges than a standard business account. Your bank may ask for documents such as your constitution and committee meeting minutes.

Where can you find funding?

Choose a fund that matches your club’s aims and the people you want to support. You may need to develop a specific project to meet the funder’s objectives.

Funding may cover equipment, coaching fees, volunteer qualifications and, in some cases, venue hire and running costs.

Here are some places to start looking.

1. Active Partnerships

Every area in England has an Active Partnership. They connect local organisations and help more people take part in physical activity. They may offer funding directly or help you find other local opportunities.

2. The Weightlifting Foundation

A funding option specifically for affiliated weightlifting clubs.

3. Sport England Movement Fund

Offers grants of up to £15,000 for projects that help people become more active, particularly those who face barriers to taking part.

This may include people on low incomes, disabled people, older people, girls aged 5 to 16, LGBTQ+ people, parents with young children and unpaid carers, among others.

4. Sport Scotland Sports Facilities Fund

Supports projects that create or improve facilities for sport and physical activity in Scotland.

5. Sport Wales Be Active Wales Fund

Offers grants from £300 to £50,000 for projects in Wales that help more people take part in physical activity.

6. National Lottery Awards for All

Offers grants of up to £20,000 for projects that benefit communities. Projects should aim to achieve at least one of the fund’s outcomes, such as bringing people together, improving community spaces, helping people reach their potential or supporting communities facing cost of living challenges.

7. Blue Spark Foundation

Supports children and young people through educational, cultural, sporting and other projects.

8. Greene King Proud to Pitch In Fund

Offers grants of up to £4,000 to help sports clubs get the equipment and resources they need.

Other funding opportunities become available throughout the year. British Weightlifting and your local Active Partnership can help you find them.

How to put together your application

Most funding applications are completed in writing, although some funders accept video submissions.

Funders often ask similar questions, so these are a good starting point when planning your project:

• What do you want to do? Describe your project and why it’s needed.
• Who will benefit? Be clear about the people you want to reach.
• Is there demand? Explain how you know people want to take part.
• What will change? Set out what you hope to achieve.
• How will you measure success? Explain how you’ll know the project has worked.
• How many people will benefit? Give an estimate of participation.
• How much funding do you need? Explain what the money will pay for.
• Where will the project take place? Include your venue or location.
• Who will deliver it? Identify the people or organisations involved.
• When will it happen? Set out your timescales and dates.
• What happens next? Explain how people can continue taking part when the funding ends.

Show that people want your project

Funders want to see evidence that people are interested in your project and that you’re ready to deliver it.

Before applying, consider:

• Running a taster session, open day or come and try event.
• Speaking to the people you want to reach and collecting their feedback.
• Recording expressions of interest, including names and contact details where appropriate.
• Working with local schools, charities and community groups that can help you reach your audience.
• Building relationships with other organisations that could support your project.

Include this evidence in your application to show that there is real demand for what you want to deliver.

What if your application is unsuccessful?

Don’t be discouraged if your first application isn’t successful. Funding is competitive, and you may need to apply more than once.

Some funds receive far more applications than they can support. As a general guide, a success rate of one in five is considered a good average.

If your application is unsuccessful, ask for feedback. Some funders will explain why your application wasn’t successful and what you could improve before applying again.

Each application is an opportunity to learn and strengthen your approach for the future.

Need help with your application?

If you’re thinking about applying for funding or would like some guidance, get in touch with British Weightlifting. We’re here to help you explore opportunities and develop your application.

And if your club secures funding, let us know. We’d love to share your success and help inspire other clubs to do the same.