Facility Scheme

The Football Foundation Facilities Scheme funding primarily supports organisations that wish to build develop and/or refurbish facilities in order to sustain and/or increase participation.

Types of facilities funded include, grass pitches drainage/improvements, changing rooms, floodlights, artificial turf pitches, pavilions and clubhouses, funding is also available for revenue purposes e.g. a Football Development Officer.

Grant ceiling
On any given application, the lower the percentage support from the Foundation, the more likely it is to be approved. The maximum level of funding remains at 90% of the total eligible project cost, up to a maximum of £1m. However, a grant award approaching this level would be extremely rare. The application would have to be exceptional in all three of the criteria below (level of support), including at least one element of the first criterion. Clearly, the financial need of the applicant organisation will be the key factor in determining a suitable level of Foundation support. Organisations that have greater financial reserves and/or income generating potential are likely to secure a significantly lower level of support than those who have not.

For projects over £20,000 revenue funding can be applied for linked to a capital bid but must not exceed 20% of the grant being requested. Evidence will be required as to the need and where applications are for human resources e.g. Football Development Officer a job description will be required.

Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from Local Authorities, all educational establishments, football clubs, multi-sport clubs, registered charitable organisations, companies limited by guarantee, industrial and provident societies and unincorporated not for profit organisations.

Level of support
Prior to submission, every application must demonstrate that significant efforts to secure alternative funding sources have been carried out.

Following submission of an application to the Foundation, every application will be judged on its own merits.

Judgement will be based on the amount of football development/social benefit for the grant requested. This should be the primary judgement of value for money, with less emphasis on percentage of total project cost.

The Foundation would consider a relatively higher level of support if a project:

1. Makes significant impact on under-represented groups in football, in an area where there is a demonstrable under-representation:

BME participants
Women and girls
Disability
Low income groups

2. Is in an area with an outstanding need for a facility, where there are no feasible alternative sites.

3. Can demonstrate a financial need for a higher level of support e.g. Voluntary Sector.

What the Football Foundation looks for
Applicants should demonstrate how their projects would achieve the following outcomes:

Sustain or increase participation amongst junior adult participants regardless of background age, or ability.
Provide and assist in the provision of facilities for football and other games and sports that improve the conditions for sport across local communities.
Promote the advancement of young people by developing their physical, mental, social and moral capacities through regular participation in sport.

The Process

Step 1
Download a pre-application form by clicking on the link on the right and complete & return to the County Development Manager at Norfolk FA.

Step 2
Receive a pre-application visit from County Development Manager & FA Regional Facilities Manager to access the site & potential project.

Step 3
Work with the County Development Manager & FA Regional Facilities Manager in preparing application (downloadable by clicking on the link on the right) to the Football Foundation.

Step 4
Project taken to the Local Football Partnership to be accessed for support in preparation for Football Foundation submission.

If you require any furether help please contact Gavin Lemmon at the County Headquarters on 01603 704050 or click here to email him.

Fakenham Football Club