How does it work?

You have two more opportunities to apply for an Inspired Facilities grant, with each round awarding up to £10 million.

This means you have time to pull together a strong application that stands the best possible chance of success in what will be a competitive process. Grants will be awarded to projects that make the best case.

Community and voluntary organisations, including parish and town councils can apply for grants worth between £20,000 and £50,000.  At least 70% of the available funding available is set aside for these groups.

Local authorities, statutory bodies and education establishments such as schools, can apply for grants between £20,000 and £150,000.

However, £150,000 grants will be exceptional and only given to projects that can demonstrate a strategic rationale to their application - for example, a review of a local authority’s sports facility stock that identifies this project as a top priority. No more than 30% of the total amount available will be invested through these organisations. 

Do I need partnership funding?

We would prefer you to have some partnership funding – either cash or in kind.

This can be from your own funds or from your partners. However, we know funding can be difficult for voluntary or community groups to find, so we won’t rule out your application if you don’t have any. This also applies to parish and town councils.

We funded 49 projects with no partnership funding in round one so please do apply even if you are unable to raise partnership funding.  

Local authorities, other statutory bodies, and schools or educational establishments will, however, be expected to provide pound-for-pound partnership funding.

When can I apply?

The dates for the first three funding rounds are:

  • Round 4: 11 March 2013 to 29 April 2013 - 5pm deadline
  • Round 5: 21 October 2013 to 16 December 2013 - 5pm deadline

Please don’t rush your application or send it in half complete because a round is about to close. Take your time, gather all the information you need and make the best possible case for your project and the local community want to help.

NEXT: The four simple steps you need to follow to apply for an Inspired Facilities grant

Find out more about applying for Inspired Facilities with this easy guide video

Inspired Facilities workshop video

Inspired Facilities Round 2 Workshop from Sport England on Vimeo.

Interested in applying for an Inspired Facilities grant? Watch this presentation and find out more about what we want you to tell us on your application.