Writing a strong grant application for your sports club
- Admin
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Every year, strong sports clubs miss out on funding. The problem is rarely the idea. It is the application.
Funders do not fund shopping lists. They fund clear need, credible organisations, and projects that create measurable change. If you want to improve your success rate, you must understand how assessors think and what gives them confidence.
Start with the Need, Not the Equipment
Many clubs begin with what they want to buy. Goals. Bikes. Kit. Coaching hours.
That is the wrong starting point.
Begin with the problem.
Why is this project needed?
Who needs it?
What is happening now that should not be happening?
If 40 percent of young people in your area are not meeting physical activity guidelines, say that. If you have a waiting list of 25 girls who cannot access football locally, state the number. If your club serves a community in the lowest two SIMD deciles, include the data.
Lead with evidence. Then explain how your project responds to it.
Understand How Funders Score Applications
Most applications go through a structured process:
Eligibility check.
Assessment against set criteria.
Scoring and ranking.
Final approval.
Applications are often scored across areas such as:
Strength of need.
Fit with programme aims.
Clarity of outcomes.
Value for money.
Overall confidence in the organisation.
If you ignore one of these areas, you lose points.
Before you submit, read the guidance twice. Check each answer against the criteria. Make sure every section earns its marks.
Show Organisational Credibility
Funders ask themselves two questions:
Do we trust this club with our money?
Can they deliver what they promise?
Trust relates to your organisation.
You damage trust if:
Your accounts are late.
Your governance is unclear.
Your financial position looks unstable.
You have poor reporting history.
You build trust by showing:
Up to date annual accounts.
Clear governing documents.
Defined committee roles.
Relevant policies such as safeguarding and equality.
A track record of delivering previous projects.
Do not assume the assessor knows your club. Spell it out clearly.
Demonstrate Project Credibility
Strong clubs still fail because their projects lack clarity.
Weak example:
“We want funding for 50 bikes, storage and coaching to run a weekly cycling club.”
Stronger example:
“We will deliver 40 weekly cycling sessions for 30 inactive adults aged 60 plus over 12 months. Participants will increase physical activity by at least one additional session per week and report improved confidence and wellbeing.”
The second example:
Names the target group.
States how many people.
Sets a timeframe.
Links activity to outcomes.
That is what assessors score highly.
Be Specific and SMART
Vague statements weaken applications.
Do not say, “We will improve wellbeing.”
Say, “50 young people aged 11 to 14 will attend weekly sessions for 24 weeks, with at least 70 percent reporting increased confidence in physical activity.”
Name days, times, venues, partner organisations, and delivery staff.
Avoid jargon. Avoid acronyms unless explained. Keep sentences clear and direct.
Get the Budget Right
Your budget must align with your activities. There must be a clear line of sight between what you say you will do and what you are asking to fund.
Common mistakes include:
Rounded figures with no explanation.
Inflated participant numbers.
Costs added just to reach the maximum grant amount.
Ineligible costs.
Check eligibility rules carefully.
Explain how you calculated costs. If you are hiring a coach at £30 per hour for 2 hours per week over 40 weeks, show the maths. That level of clarity builds confidence.
Show Outcomes, Not Just Outputs
Outputs are activities.
Outcomes are changes.
Output: 40 coaching sessions delivered.
Outcome: 30 participants increase weekly activity levels.
Make sure your outcomes clearly respond to the need you described at the start.
Then explain how you will measure them. Attendance registers, pre and post surveys, feedback forms, or case studies are all valid tools. Only promise what you can realistically measure.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Do not start writing without a clear plan.
Do not copy and paste the same bid into multiple funders.
Do not rely only on anecdotal evidence.
Do not submit without proofreading.
Do not leave it until the last minute.
Have someone else read your application before submission. A fresh pair of eyes will spot gaps and inconsistencies.
Think About Sustainability
Funders want to know what happens next.
Participant sustainability. Will people continue beyond the funded period?
Project sustainability. Will the programme continue?
Financial sustainability. How will it be funded in future?
Even a short paragraph outlining your longer term plan strengthens your application.
Final Thoughts
A strong grant application is clear, specific, and credible.
Start with need.
Describe the change you want to see.
Show you can deliver it.
Cost it accurately.
Prove it represents good value.
If you do this consistently, you will not just submit more applications. You will submit stronger ones
Comments