Grants & Funding
Uniform, Equipment, Training Grants For Local Sports Clubs
30th Dec 2019
Grassroots sporting clubs across Victoria are being encouraged to apply for funding to upgrade equipment, buy new uniforms, boost administration capabilities and improve training for officials.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced that applications for the Andrews Labor Government's 2019/20 Sporting Club Grants Program will open on Monday, 6 January 2020.
The new round of local club grants provide up to:
- $5000 for training for coaches, officials and volunteers
- $5000 to improve operational effectiveness.
- $2000 to address barriers that Indigenous athletes face in terms of participation in sport and active recreation
- $1000 for new uniforms and equipment.
The Sporting Club Grants Program is part of the Labor Government's commitment to making sport more accessible and inclusive, increase local participation, stimulate local economies and build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities.
Since 2014, the Government has provided more than 3,500 Sporting Club grants across the state, totalling more than $4.9 million.
The Government has also invested more than $850 million in community sport and active recreation infrastructure since 2014.
For more information on the grants and how to apply, go to sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/sporting-club-grants-program.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula
"Strong local clubs are the foundation of our vibrant sporting environment in Victoria and that's why we make such an effort to help out at the grassroots level."
"Grants for uniforms and new equipment can provide an enormous lift for a club and its members, and that spreads through the community."
"We're not forgetting the people who run the clubs and coach the teams - providing training and support for these volunteers is an investment in the future."
Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF) for 2020-21
The new $22 million Local Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSIF) for 2020-21 program was released yesterday by the Victorian Government (https://sport.vic.gov.au/grants-and-funding/our-grants/local-sports-infrastructure-fund). The LSIF is part of the $175 million Local Sports Grants initiative and is one of a suite of infrastructure programs, which includes the World Game Facilities Fund, Community Cricket Program, Community Sports Infrastructure Loans Scheme, and the Motor Sports Program which are investing millions across Victoria.
It provides a range of grant opportunities across five funding streams, of which only two are able to be accessed by local organisations:
- Female Friendly Facilities
- Community Facilities
Only Local Government Authorities and the Alpine Resort Boards are eligible to apply directly to the Fund, so to be considered for the fund football clubs will need to submit a Community Organisations Expression of Interest Form to your local council which is linked here.
World Games Facilities Fund
Football Victoria (FV) today welcomed the State Government’s announcement of its $20 million World Game Facilities Fund.
Established in 2018, the World Game Facilities Fund is a state-wide Victorian Government investment program that funds the development of high-quality, accessible community football infrastructure.
Funding will assist local football clubs and organisations working with their Local Government Authority to upgrade existing or develop new facilities across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria to support the sustainability and growth of football.
Grants of up to $500,000 (per Local Government Area) towards lighting, pitch redevelopments, synthetic pitches and female friendly change rooms will be available under the fund.
FV CEO Peter Filopoulos said the World Game Facilities Fund was an excellent chance for clubs across the state to submit their case for new or upgraded football facilities. He said it supported FV’s ongoing efforts to secure funding to address the critical need for new and improved infrastructure on behalf of the state’s 355 member clubs.
“Participation in the world game continues rise across Victoria, driven particularly by more girls and women wanting to play football,” Mr Filopoulos said.
“We know that the game will need up to 420 full-size equivalent pitches by 2026 just to keep up with population growth and consistently strong participation numbers. As many as 12,000 players missed out on playing football last year because clubs across Victoria didn’t have the facilities to cater for them.”
Mr Filopoulos said FV would communicate directly with clubs early in the new year to provide guidance on how councils, clubs and FV could work together to maximise opportunities under the fund.
To see the State Government’s Media Release on the fund, click here: https://ftbl.vc/2PG41KZ
Looking for funding?
If you are seeking funding for your Club, whether it be for a community service, fundraiser or refurbishment of amenities blocks there is some good news for you. Community grant applications are generally split into three different paths that can be accessed by clubs. All levels of government give out grants, as do many foundations and some corporations.
The keys to success in getting a grant are subtly different for each type of grant maker. You have to know the difference, so you know how to pitch your proposal.
One of the easiest ways to find out about the many different grants available is by clicking one of the following links.
QUICK LINKS
One of the easiest ways to find out about the many different grants available is by clicking the below paths.
Government – Local Council, State & Federal Grants
Many people think of foundations when they think of grants, but in fact it is local government that provides the overwhelming majority of grants funding in Australia.
Generally, government grant makers are impartial, unbiased, and outcomes-oriented. Learn how the government in question thinks – look up their policy documents and use them as background when you’re interpreting their grant application forms.
Government grant makers are also relatively inflexible and can seem obsessed with detail, particularly those at the state and federal level, which are often relatively far removed from the groups being funded. Knowing exactly what you want to achieve with your project and relating the project to the key government community strategic plan outcomes will give you a better chance of a stronger successful application.
Prior to submitting an application for this funding, clubs are encouraged to write a letter of introduction to the relevant council general manager, administrator, councillors and council workers and request a meeting to discuss the project proposed further.
Club Grants
Victorian LGA’s all have a range of Community Grants. In the main most Community Grants programs are open to not-for profit groups, organisations and clubs to deliver projects and activities that support the current Council Plan priority areas.
Clubs should look on their LGA website search for Grants and will find the range and type of grants available. In most cases Councils with have a Community Grants Officer who will be able to assist.
The SRV Sporting Club Grants Program provides grants to assist in the purchase of sports uniforms and equipment and to improve the capacity and accessibility of Victorian clubs and other community sport and recreation organisations and increase the skills of their coaches, officials and managers.
General tips to stand out for all grant types:
- The best way to negotiate the world of grants is to think about your needs before you start thinking about what’s available.
- Hold a brainstorming session and make a list of all the things your Club would like to do, if only it had the money.
- Make it a living list that’s accessible to key people within the organisation and can be added to and refined as new needs arise and old ones subside. Use this list to inform your decisions about which grants you want to apply for.
- Grant-making is personal
- State and local government need to deliver on promises, policies and outcomes, the better you can tailor your application to match their required outcomes, the more likely you are to be successful.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to a Community Grants Officer and have a meeting to cultivate a relationship, and unless they specifically say not to, always push for a face-to face meeting.
- It is important to be relevant to the funder and use evidence.
- Establish a specific need in the geographical area and prove how your club will realistically address this.
- It’s all about building and cultivating an ongoing meaningful relationship. Honest, transparent and responsible behaviour will help you achieve this aim.
- Great groups will attract and retain grantors and supporters due to the good reputation they build. Having a strong record and strong relationships will make it easier to obtain funding next time.