The £4 million Clubs in Crisis Fund aims to support the UK’s smallest sports clubs that are at risk of closing their doors for good due to the impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

The Fund is only available to sports clubs and organisations that are working in the sport for development sector, ie those that intentionally use sport to deliver wider social outcomes, usually through third sector and voluntary, community and social enterprise bodies.

To be eligible, clubs must provide clear evidence of how they use sport to help young people develop life skills, employment opportunities, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour or tackle mental health issues. The funders are looking for organisations that operate mostly in disadvantaged communities, often working collaboratively with other partners to meet local need and may offer cross-sector activities.

Grants of £2,021 will be available to help with core, programme or capital costs.

Applications will be accepted from not-for-profit clubs or organisations with an annual turnover of less than £75,000 that intentionally use sport to deliver wider social outcomes. First priority will be given to clubs with an annual turnover of up to £25,000; then to those of up £50,000; and finally for up to £75,000.

The fund is being administered locally around the country by the UK Community Foundations network. Groups must apply via the relevant Community Foundation in their area. Please note that each community foundation will have their own application process and applicants should check the details and application deadlines on their relevant community foundation website.

The Clubs in Crisis (#ClubInCrisis) Fund is being provided jointly by Flutter Entertainment's sports funding scheme Cash4Clubs and by charity Made by Sport, which aims to champion the power of sport to tackle social issues.

Commenting on the new fund, Made by Sport’s Chair, Justin King, and Flutter CEO, Peter Jackson wrote in a recent article:

“Access to sport can be life-changing for young people in so many ways, so we owe it to ourselves to give them the best shot at success. If we don’t, then many of the UK’s vibrant local clubs may disappear and with it, the joy, happiness, and personal well-being it brings to so many around them.”

The fund opens to applications on 12 April 2021.