Allerdale Sports Development Grant

The Sellafield Ltd Social Impact Investment Programme is an annual grant arrangement between Sellafield Ltd and Allerdale Borough Council, offering an opportunity to respond in a flexible manner to support employment, economic and social growth in Allerdale. 

The Sports Development Grant is one of many grants within the SIIF scheme, it is designed to support sports clubs and community organisations operating in Allerdale, working at grass roots providing sport and physical activity. It is not intended to support individuals. This is primarily a capital scheme, however, projects requiring no capital investment will be considered if it can meet the necessary criteria as highlighted further down.

Applications are invited from Not for profit organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises, which need to be a constituted not-for-profit voluntary organisation or a registered charity, or a School where the benefit is primarily for the community (conditions apply), and delivery of activities or projects benefit the residents of Allerdale Borough.

This fund shall be directed to projects that support activities and initiatives that:

• deliver a social and/or economic impact locally:
• complement and enhance the ; 
• are designed to address either social, health, environmental and economic issues within the Allerdale Borough Council area 
• fit in with the priorities of their National Governing Body (NGB) where applicable.  

Priority will be given to those organisations that can demonstrate that their activity will create or safeguard participation opportunities in sporting activity, and is linked to the delivery of one or more of the Council’s :

• A Cleaner, Greener Allerdale
• Invest to Grow
• Outstanding Local Services
• Thriving towns and villages
• Resilient Communities

We expect that many clubs and organisations looking at this grant funding will have aspirational plans for their facilities and for the activities they deliver to their local communities. Applicants may already be well on the way to turning some of these plans into a reality, working with other funders and partners, and this funding could be the final piece needed to make it happen. Or you might see this as a new opportunity for your organisation to look at how you can enhance the sporting offer, target some new audiences or really look at ways which will help to certify the future for sporting activity.

With this in mind, only projects that deliver against at least 2 of the priorities below will be considered;

• Create new participation opportunities in sporting activity (or safeguard existing participation for example where land or buildings may be at risk)
• improve resilience (post COVID19)
• improve (economic/environmental) sustainability of club or sports element of organisatio
• focus on improving access for those more likely to be less active (Elderly, 5 – 18 years, disabled, low income, BAME, women
• Innovative/New ideas to encourage new participants into sport/physical activity

Grants from £2,000 up to a maximum limit of £10,000 per application. Funding will be provided to organisations that can demonstrate that it will make a significant difference to their members and users from the local community. Ongoing sustainability is also important, and should be clearly detailed. No multi-year funding awards will be made.

The Council will fund up to a maximum of 50% of the total costs of the project, but organisations are encouraged to look at other avenues of funding, including contributing their own finance to the activity, to reduce the proportion of Council funding required. 

Match funding for the project can also include in kind contributions. Please make sure this is detailed on the application form.

Applications can be received at any time from when the online portal is opened, the deadline for applications will be 30th June 2021. Projects must be completed (or underway if it is a large scale capital project) before the 31st March 2022.

For any fixed capital projects, applicants must own the land on which the project is to take place or have a lease with a minimum of 7 years left (for grants of less than £5K), or 20 years or more for grants over £5K, and have landlords consent for the proposed project.

Applications from schools will need to have community partnerships/agreements in place.

Applicants should be aware of State Aid implications, and be prepared, if asked, to provide the Council with evidence of any state funding received in the 3 years immediately prior to application so that is may be assessed against the rules on State Aid. Any application may be unsuccessful on this basis but full details will be given.

1. Applicants must complete the online application form;

2. Applicants may be contacted to provide more detail. For larger grants, applicants may be asked provide a detailed Development/Business Plan;

3. A signed copy of their latest audited or independently examined annual accounts must be supplied where applicable

Please provide all information requested within the application form in as much detail as possible. This will make it easier to process your application. Assessment of any application will only take place when all the requested information has been provided.

• Core revenue costs, i.e. general maintenance costs, salaries or running costs
• Costs to set up branch/subsidiary organisations
• Continuation costs, for activity that has existed prior to this funding being available
• Grants schemes for other organisations or individuals

This is not an exhaustive list, if you are not sure if your idea will qualify, speak to Rebecca Stamper on 01900 516873.