The need for funds in Grassroots football increases year on year but sponsors are becoming increasingly difficult to find, here’s 10 tried and tested ways to generate funds for your team, some you may have tried, some maybe not. If you have novel ways of raising funds please feel free to share with the Grassroots community.
1) Find a generous sponsor, this is proving more and more difficult for teams to achieve but their are still 1000s of people out there who are willing to sponsor teams, maybe try thinking smaller for example, would a sponsor be willing to sponsor balls, or just strips. Asking for home, away strips track suits balls and winter jackets will most likely result in a no response. Also consider speaking to your local newspaper first, most potential sponsors will be more willing if you can state you will get a picture in the paper (something as businesses they would have to pay for)
2) Explore other avenues. Each team usually has parents who are connected with businesses who would be willing to sponsor the team, maybe in exchange for their logo being printed on the team shirts and some local press.
3) Bag packing. This can be very lucrative. It will involve all of your team members getting down to the local supermarket and putting in a day’s work, but the rewards can be very good. You will need to contact a participating supermarket first and there is often quite a long waiting list, but this is well worth the wait and can be quite lucrative for your team.
4) Sponsored event. In an eleven-s-side team you may have 15 players, it is not beyond each player to push the boat out and get 20 people to sponsor them a pound each for a sponsored walk, hike or swim etc. That’s £300 in sponsorship money.
5) Selling teas and coffees on match days. Standing around in the winter months is thirsty work for parents. Selling teas and coffees and maybe even bacon baps on match day can boost your funds for very little effort. For example on a cold match day if one parent sold 10 cups of tea at £1 each just to your own team Matchday and training could generate £30 per week. That’s £120 per month!!!! That’s £1440 per year!!!!
6) Raffles. If used correctly maybe once or twice per year again this can be quite lucrative for your team, maybe a Summer and Winter hamper, if raffles are done every month you will most likely not receive the same level of support. Maybe ask for prize donations from local businesses.
7) Race-nights. These can be great fun with a chance for everyone to get together for a good night out. There are companies who will organise the event for you in exchange for a cut of the profits. This can also be done, with a little effort and imagination by team members.
8) Football cards. These can be bought online HERE and can be passed around spectators whilst the match is being played or in the clubhouse after the match.
9) Football tournament. Organise a football tournament with teams from local leagues. Charge them to enter. If you can get enough clubs interested this can be a great money earner. On the day you can charge for car parking, charge for stall holders, run a raffle, run a tuck shop, sell teas, coffees and burgers and print a program and charge for adverts. There are plenty of opportunities to make money once you have a crowd there. Foe help in running a tournament please see our TOURNAMENT PLANNER GUIDE HERE
10) Charity clothes banks will pay around 40p per kilo for the stuff you have cluttering up your wardrobe and drawers. Donate this to a charity and everyone is a winner.
Check out these fund providers below
No-nonsense support for grassroots football.
Sometimes grassroots clubs, leagues and volunteers need help. They don’t look for handouts, but now and then they – and their volunteers – need a leg-up.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with the Utilita Football Rebooted movement to launch the Grassroots Fund.
What is the Grassroots Fund?
The fund offers help. It’s no nonsense, no strings attached support for grassroots football. It’s easy to apply and we make decisions quickly. All we ask in return is you let us talk about the support we’ve provided. Support is powered by support from the Utilita FOOTBALL REBOOTED movement.
Who’s it for?
The fund is for grassroots clubs and leagues and the people who volunteer. We’re open to anyone who’s looking for a little help to make a big difference. If our help can make football better, we’re interested.
What’s our aim?
We want to put more smiles into grassroots football. So, if you have a project, an emergency or a brilliant reason to say thank you to someone, we want to hear from you.
How to apply?
To apply, please fill in this FORM
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The Football Foundation is the largest sports charity in the UK funded by the Premier League, The FA and Government (via Sport England). It funds the development of new and refurbished grassroots sports facilities improving the quality and experience of playing sport at the grassroots level to sustain and increase participation and improve general skills levels.
Available funding
From goalposts to changing pavilions, whatever you need the Football Foundation has got you covered.
Goalposts
Grants for the purchase of new or replacement pairs of goalposts for use within community grassroots football.
Storage containers
A simple, cost-effective way of increasing your capacity for equipment and freeing up space within your site.
Portable floodlights
Grants for the purchase of new and preowned floodlights for use on 3G and grass pitch training areas.
Changing pavilions & clubhouses
Minor and major works to improve existing changing facilities or build new ones.
3G Pitch Maintenance Machinery & Equipment
Grants that help with the purchase of the maintenance equipment needed to keep your 3G surface looking and playing its best.
Grass pitch improvement
Get your pitch match fit with funding towards the improvement of grass pitches at your facility.
Fencing
Grants towards ball retention systems, pest control fencing and boundary fencing and gates.
Small-sided facility improvement
Grants to build or improve the condition of small-sided artificial pitches.
3G Pitches
High-quality all-weather surfaces that are perfect for learning and enjoying the game.
Creation of new grass pitches
Grants to help you transform unused spaces into quality grass pitches.
Premier League Stadium Fund
Financial support from the Premier League for National League System and Women’s Pyramid Clubs.
Premier League Defibrillator Fund
Support to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and External Storage Cabinets at grassroots football facilities.
National Lottery Awards for All offers funding from £300 to £10,000 to support what matters to people and communities.
You can apply if your organisation is a:
- voluntary or community organisation
- registered charity
- constituted group or club
- not-for-profit company or community interest company
- social enterprise
- school
- statutory body (including town, parish and community council).
We can fund a wide range of items, and below are some examples of these. This isn’t exhaustive, so you should contact us if you’re unsure.
Small Grants uses Lottery funding to make awards of between £300 and £10,000 to not-for-profit organisations to help more people play sport. If you are considering applying for a grant we would encourage you to complete our pre-application checklist as a first step. To find out more about the fund and how to apply click on the logo.
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