Grant Package on the way to Non League Clubs
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has announced that Steps 3-6 of the National League system will receive up to £10 million to protect the immediate future of approximately 850 clubs over the winter period.
In a statement just released by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, it is confirmed that clubs in Steps 3-6 will be contacted directly by the Football Foundation with full details and will be able to make an application from tomorrow. Funds will be distributed quickly to clubs through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.
Part of the Government’s Sports Winter Survival Package, the Football Winter Survival Package is a fund that aims to support clubs at Step 3 to 6 of the National League System that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
The funding offered will respond to each club’s financial need to survive the coming months, but won’t replace all lost revenue or profits over the last 12 months. Instead, the objective is to ensure football clubs survive the winter period and minimise the long-term damage to participation.
The investment has been provided by the Government and will be delivered through the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF).
Below you’ll discover further details about the funding that your club may be able to apply for, what it can be spent on and the application process.
How much can you apply for?
Use the figures below as a guide to the maximum amount your club will be able to apply for.
Remember, you’ll need to hold less than six months of unrestricted operating reserves to be eligible for the fund.
What can the grant be used for?
The fund is focused on supporting club survival over the coming months. This means that you can use the grant for the majority of your essential business operational costs. The amount of funding applied for will be specific to your club’s unique circumstances and will be based on financial need – the fund won’t cover all costs for lost revenues.
All grant applications will be means-tested as part of the assessment by the FSIF. In the application, you’ll have to show the club’s income and expenditure forecast for January to March 2021. If you also feel you can evidence that the club is in financial distress and at risk of closure, you’ll need to do this for the period of October to December 2020 too.
Some common examples of eligible and ineligible costs can be found below. Please note that these lists aren’t exhaustive.
When do you have to use it by?
Once your club has accepted the grant offer and submitted a claim, you’ll receive your grant as one single payment. You’ll need to use the funding by 31 March 2021 and submit evidence as of what you’ve spent the funds on by 30 May 2021.
To complete the application you’ll need a copy of your most recent bank statement and your club’s most recent accounts. You’ll also need to produce an income & expenditure forecast for the next three months.
The Football Winter Survival Package will open here for applications on Thursday 28 January 2021 and close on Sunday 14 February 2021 at 9pm.
Football Winter Survival Package Fund – further details