Sources of Funding

There are four main ways to obtain funds for your club or organisation – this is through grants, loans, sponsorship or fund raising. This page includes some ideas to help with seeking grants. A detailed booklet entitled “BCU Alternative Funding” is available free from the BCU on request for members and affiliated organisations – contact

Other useful sources of information are the Running Sport resource – Funding your Club – this covers all four areas of fund raising. They also have workshops in each region under the same title. For details of courses and how to obtain the resource check out . Another useful resource is "Sources of Funding for Sport and Recreation" which can be downloaded from the CCPR website -

If you would like further support for seeking funds contact your local Paddlesport Development Officer who will be happy to help.

Awards for All

Awards for all is a National Lottery grants scheme aimed at local communities which grants funds to projects in sport, art, heritage, and community activities. It is probably the most popular and successful source of funding for our clubs and voluntary organizations. Grants of £500 to £5,000 are available with priority given to organizations with an annual income of less than £15,000. No partnership funding is required in cash but contributions of time, effort or materials are accepted and may help the application. Each region have priority groups they wish to support – youth is usually included in these groups. Your organization would need to have a constitution and bank account. Decisions on applications are usually received in 12 weeks. To obtain further details and application form call or go to www.awardsforall.org.uk.

Girls First

A challenge to all secondary schools in Wales which has been set up to help raise the level of girls' participation in sport.

Minor Grants

This scheme supports activities which will increase participation and improve standards of performance in sport. Applications are accepted for equipment and building projects costing less than £10,000.

Overseas Development

Overseas expedition development support is a scheme which helps fund overseas expeditions which will enhance the development of a sport.

Sportlot Capital

Sportlot is the fund set up to distribute the proceeds for sport in Wales from the National Lottery.

Sportlot Community Chest

The Sportlot Community Chest scheme is intended to support activities at local level which will increase participation and improve standards of performance in sport, particularly amongst children.

Sport Safety

This scheme assists national sports safety organisations, sport safety clubs and rescue teams to provide safety and rescue cover for people taking part in recreational activities in the natural environment.

Sportsmatch Cymru

Sportsmatch Cymru is the Welsh Assembly Govenment's business sponsorship incentive scheme for sports in Wales.

For more information on all the above go to .