Sport England has revamped its small grant application process with the launch of the new Movement Fund, aimed at simplifying funding applications and prioritising support for those in greatest need.
Replacing the previous Small Grants Programme and Active Together fund, the Movement Fund is set to allocate £160 million over the next four years.
Geared towards community groups, local clubs and grassroots organisations, the Movement Fund will offer investments ranging from £300 to £15,000. Its introduction coincides with the rollout of the Movement Hub pilot, designed to streamline access to Sport England's existing tools and resources.
To be eligible for the Movement Fund, organisations must operate in England, be not-for-profit and refrain from focusing solely on football-related projects. Instead, football-specific initiatives are directed to the Football Foundation for support.
If the project aligns with the organisations' priorities, the fund can cover a range of costs and items up to £15,000. It can be contributed either to a crowdfunding campaign or as a grant.
Sport England CEO, Tim Hollingsworth, emphasised the significance of the new fund in advancing Sport England's Uniting the Movement strategy: 'In our implementation plan we committed to simplifying access to our open funding, with a single point of entry for anyone wanting to be a part of the movement.
'We know that choosing the best fund to apply for can be confusing, which is why we’ve worked hard to create a single application form that allows us to do the hard work and best assess your suitability. But while the method of application may have changed, our intention to unashamedly prioritise funding for people and communities who need it most, has not.
'Whether it’s a crowdfunding pledge or a grant, the Movement Fund is here to help our mission to tackle deep-rooted inequalities and unlock the advantages of sport and physical activity for everyone, to become a reality.'
