Four grassroots football club grants you need to know about in 2026

Grassroots football grants

With so many grassroots football grants available, finding the right one can be challenging. Funding criteria, application windows, and available amounts can all change regularly, making it difficult for clubs to know where to focus their time.

For many grassroots clubs, funding plays an important role in building stronger foundations. Whether that’s improving facilities, supporting volunteers, creating more opportunities for players, or making football more accessible within the community.

To save you time, we’ve pulled together four grassroots football grants worth knowing about in 2026.

Whether you’re looking to improve your clubhouse, support new teams, invest in equipment, or create more inclusive opportunities, there’s a range of support available to help your club move forward.

Keep reading to explore our list of grassroots football club grants. You can also find full eligibility criteria and application details by following the links provided.

Four grassroots football club grants you can apply for

1. The Be Active Wales Fund

The Be Active Wales Fund is a flexible scheme offering a wide range of grants for grassroots football clubs and community organisations across Wales.

The funding is designed to help clubs create more opportunities for people to get involved in sport, while also supporting volunteers, facilities, and participation initiatives.

What does the Be Active Wales Fund cover?

• Equipment
• Coaching courses to help upskill volunteers
• Entry-level training courses (such as first aid)
• Venue hire for new teams
• Pitch improvement projects

Both not-for-profit clubs and community groups can apply.

Eligibility criteria

• Must take place in Wales and mainly serve Welsh communities
• The project must not already have started
• Funding cannot cover items already purchased
• Applications must show how they will help more people participate in sport

Grants from £300 to £50,000 are available.

There are three application windows each year, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the website for updates.

2. Grassroots Fund – Powered by Utilita Energy High 5

The Grassroots Fund is designed to support clubs, leagues, and volunteers who are making a difference within grassroots football.

The scheme offers practical support for clubs looking to improve their environment, respond to unexpected challenges, or recognise the people helping keep things running week after week.

What does the Grassroots Fund cover?

• Vouchers for materials
• Volunteer recognition gifts
• Crime and theft recovery support
• Safety upgrades
• Improvements to playing environments

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must be connected to an FA-accredited grassroots club or league
• Clubs must demonstrate how the funding will positively support their community or environment

Applications are open throughout the year, with responses typically provided within 60 days.

3. Barclays Community Sport Fund

Launched in 2022, the Barclays Community Sport Fund has already supported more than 550,000 young people across football, cricket, and tennis.

Delivered in partnership with Sported, the fund focuses on reducing inequalities in sport, particularly for girls and young people who are currently underrepresented.

What does the Barclays Community Sport Fund cover?

• Grants of up to £1,000
• Access to support and guidance
• Opportunities such as exclusive match tickets

Eligibility criteria

• Your club must be a not-for-profit organisation
• You must have a club bank account
• You must have an up-to-date safeguarding policy
• You currently offer, or want to offer, football activities for young people under 25
• You currently offer, or want to offer, football activities for girls
• You are committed to growing participation within your club

Applications are expected to reopen in April 2026.

4. Warburtons Grants

Warburtons works with organisations focused on supporting local communities and tackling social challenges through sport and community initiatives.

For grassroots clubs, this funding can help support wider community development projects and local initiatives that create a positive impact beyond the pitch.

What do the Warburtons Grants cover?

• Community development
• Project development
• Project funding

Eligibility criteria

• Community grants: organisations must be based in England, Scotland, or Wales
• Development grants: registered charities or CICs within 15 miles of a Warburtons depot
• Project grants: registered charities or CICs within 15 miles of a bakery or depot site

Community grants are available up to £400, development grants up to £3,000, and project grants range from £10,000 to £20,000.

Building stronger foundations through funding

Funding can make a real difference to grassroots clubs, but the biggest impact often comes from using it to create stronger foundations for the future.

That might mean improving facilities, supporting volunteers, creating safer environments, or opening up opportunities for more people to take part. Over time, these changes help clubs become more sustainable, more organised, and better equipped to support their community long term.

If your club is looking to strengthen how it operates beyond funding alone, ThriveHub also offers practical courses and action packs designed to help grassroots organisations improve areas such as club development, volunteer support, and long-term planning.