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Your Guide to Funding for Sports Clubs in 2026
Funding for Sports Clubs at a Glance
- Small grants for clubs: Cash4Clubs
- Top grant for clubs driving social impact: UnLtd Movement for Change (Up to £18k)
- Country-specific funding: Sport Scotland, England Wales & Northern Ireland
- Community funding: National Lottery (£300–£20k or larger grants over £20k)
UnLtd Movement for Change
If your club uses sport or physical activity to support marginalised or underserved communities, the Movement for Change awards are a great source of funding for clubs making a social impact. Run by UnLtd in partnership with Sport England, this programme supports social entrepreneurs in England who want to use sport as a tool for positive change.
There are two award levels depending on where you are in your journey:
Starting Up Award: Up to £8,000 to help you launch or take your first big step. Ideal if you’re just starting out and want to build momentum.
Scaling Up Award: Up to £18,000 if your club has been active for 1 to 4 years and you’re ready to grow your impact, increase income, and strengthen operations.
In addition to funding, you’ll also receive mentoring, expert guidance, and practical resources to help your club reach more people and grow sustainably.
Visit the UnLtd Movement for Change website to find out more about this funding opportunity and how to apply.
Sport Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland
These national sports bodies are great resources when it comes to funding for sports clubs. From money for launching a new kids’ activity, improving your facilities or supporting underrepresented groups, there’s support out there and these portals are packed with possibilities.
Simply click your country’s organisation below to start exploring:
National Lottery Community Fund
The National Lottery Community Fund supports clubs and organisations that want to make a real difference in their local area. Whether you’re bringing people together, helping more children reach their potential, or improving the spaces your community uses, this fund is all about helping communities thrive.
You can apply for grants under £20,000 or over £20,001, depending on the size and scope of your project. While individuals can’t apply, funding is available for a wide range of organisations.
Visit the National Lottery Community Fund website to find out more about who can apply and what makes a strong application.
Tesco Stronger Starts
The Tesco Stronger Starts programme is open to community groups, charities and sports clubs, supporting 1000s of causes in the UK. Tesco customers and colleagues can nominate sports clubs for a Tesco Stronger Starts grant, with customers in store voting for the shortlisted groups.
Grants of up to £1,500 are available and they’re open to not-for-profit sports holiday clubs across the UK.
You can find full details of the process and how to nominate a club on the Tesco Stronger Starts website.
Cash4Clubs Grants for Sports Clubs
Since 2008, Cash4Clubs has been supporting grassroots and community sports clubs across the UK and Ireland. Their grants for kids' clubs helps with things like improving facilities, gaining coaching qualifications and making your club more sustainable for the long run.
Visit the Cash4Clubs website to learn more about their holiday club funding options.
Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is one of the biggest names when it comes to funding for sports clubs. From goalposts and pitch upgrades to floodlights and essential maintenance equipment, their grants help you create better spaces for young players to thrive.
There’s a wide range of funding available depending on your needs. Just keep in mind that the eligibility criteria can vary, so it’s worth checking their website to see what’s on offer and how to apply.
Visit the Football Foundation website to see what you could apply for.
Greggs Foundation Community Grant
The Greggs Foundation offers grants of up to £20,000 over two years to not-for-profit organisations supporting local communities.
If you’re running a kids’ club or activity that tackles local challenges, like reducing social isolation through sport or building confidence through creative activities, this could be a great option to explore.
Find out more about on the Greggs Foundation Community Grant website.
BBC Children in Need
BBC Children in Need provides funding for not-for-profit organisations working with disadvantaged children and young people aged 18 or under across the UK, including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.
If your club is registered as a not-for-profit, you could be eligible to apply. Visit the BBC Children in Need website to learn more about eligibility and to apply.
The Asda Foundation Grants
The Asda Foundation offers a wide range of grants to grassroots community groups, including clubs working with children and young people. Their funding supports everything from improving community spaces to boosting the wellbeing of young people and helping local communities thrive.
To find out what types of funding for clubs you might be eligible for and learn more about the application process, head over to the Asda Foundation Grants website.
Buddle (Formerly known as Club Matters)
While Buddle doesn’t offer direct funding, it’s still a valuable resource if you’re looking for sports club funding.
Designed for clubs and organisations offering sport and physical activity, Buddle provides practical guidance on everything from building an inclusive club to working with volunteers. They also have a dedicated section to help you navigate funding and grant opportunities.
Explore grant and funding guidance on Buddle's website.
Get the Support You Need to Secure Funding for Your Sports Club
You’ve got a big idea and we’re rooting for you. Sports club funding organisations often want to see clear financial records and participation data for your club. With ClassForKids, these details are organised in one place. Our platform automatically tracks bookings, payments, attendance and growth, making it easy to find these figures and add them to your applications.
While you’re focused on chasing funding, we can help take care of the rest by saving you 15+ hours a week on admin and helping you deliver a better customer experience.
Ready to see how ClassForKids can work for you?
FAQs
What funding is available for sports clubs in the UK?
There are various options for sports club funding in the UK like National Lottery Community Fund, which offers grants under and over £20,000. National bodies like Sport England, Sport Scotland, Sport Wales and Sport NI also provide funding for new activities, facility improvements and community programmes. Clubs can also access grants from Cash4Clubs for equipment, coaching and sustainability projects. Our full funding guide details these grants and others available in 2026.
How do I make a strong funding application for my sports club?
The best applications for funding will clearly show your club’s impact, financial stability and community benefit. Organisations like the National Lottery and UK sports bodies look for participation data, clear budgets and evidence of inclusive, well planned programmes. ClassForKids’ reporting tools provide clubs with accurate attendance and financial records which can be used to strengthen applications. Explore all features here.
Can small or community-run sports clubs get funding?
Yes! There are various designed specifically for small or volunteer led clubs. Organisations like Cash4Clubs support grassroots teams with funding for equipment, coaching and facility upgrades. National sports bodies also offer regional grants and support to provide a boost to local clubs launching new activities or helping underprivileged groups.
