Grants, contracts and opportunities from Nike, T-Mobile, UEFA and eleven others.
The definitive guide to finding opportunities, building partnerships and generating new income in the sports industry.
Hello!
On The Ball is a fortnightly newsletter sharing opportunities, tools, tricks, and templates to help you unlock new income for your business or non-profit in sport. Our ambition is to democratise sales, business development, and fundraising in the industry.
In our second update of 2023, we have another fourteen (!!) opportunities for you to consider, from upcoming networking events and exhibitions to grants, funds, incubators and so much more. From here on in we’ll be jam-packed full of the latest funders, guides, events, and tools curated specifically for sales, business development, and fundraising in sport and the surrounding industries.
But first, a word to our partners
Our friends at Skateboard GB were worthy winners of Partnership of the Year at the Sports Business Awards 2022 for their sponsorship agreement with Habito, and they’re now on the hunt for more brands and partners in 2023.
You can check out their partnership proposition here; a great example of how organisations in sport - no matter their size - can and should be using data, social proof and clear messaging in their pitch document and proposals.
TOP TIP: If you’re interested in working with the award-winning Skateboard GB, you can contact the team via their website. And no, you don’t have to be a Habito of this world to find value in a partnership.
So, let’s get into it:
🎓The After School Alliance are awarding grants of up to $50,000 per year for programmes that support after-school and summer learning for middle-school aged youth in New York. Awards will be made to organisations delivering activities that play a role in addressing racial equity, support youth wellbeing, and develop the whole young person—cognitively, socially, and emotionally. This competitive grant program includes both one- and two-year grant opportunities. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 1st February.
💰Nike have launched an open call for applications via their Community Impact Fund, supporting local community organisations across Europe, North America and Japan to drive positive, lasting change and make play possible for all kids. Decisions are made by local Nike teams, and the application process is different in each location. Deadlines are approaching in February and March, with grants expected to be distributed in June.
🏀Basketball New South Wales is seeking a partner to help build a new digital platform intended to house information on basketball opportunities across the state; maximising coverage of the sport and making information more accessible. Prospective suppliers should note that the new platform is not intended only as an upgraded website or new registration platform but rather a portal that digitises basketball administration. Tenders are due in on February 3rd.
🏃♀️The SimiSleighs Foundation has launched an Athlete Grant program to help female athletes training to represent their country at the Olympic or Paralympic Games by providing financial support for training and competition expenses, meaningful personal and professional development experiences, and access to a global network. Each individual grantee will be granted an award of up to $10,000 USD. Applications are due on Monday, February 6th.
️⚽️Women in Football have announced their Be Inspired Conference will be back again in March after a successful 2022 event. Taking place at Wembley Stadium and supported by Barclays, the two-day conference will offer information, advice and inspiration for women already working in the game and for those aiming to break into the industry. Early bird tickets are on sale to Women in Football members until 5 February, priced at £150 for one day or £250 for both days (including VAT). Membership of Women in Football is free, so sign up and support the movement even if you can’t make the event!
👩🎓In India, the Dani Foundation have launched an open call for applications to their Sports for Transformation Fellowship. The two-year programme will support a group of young professionals to become contributors to the sport for development sector through an intensive leadership journey. In order to be eligible for the fellowship you must be an Indian citizen aged 20-26. Applications are due on the 10th of February, and the 2023 cohort is expected to start in June.
👀The German Development Agency (more commonly known as GIZ), have announced a major procurement exercise to find a Community Management Partner for their Global Sport for Development programme. GIZ commit more than $6m per year to sport for development initiatives around the world, and are seeking a partner who can help to mobilise, educate and bring together coaches and practitioners digitally and physically over the next two years. The first stage of the procurement process needs to be completed before the 20th of February, and only five organisations are expected to be shortlisted.
📝Academics (or academic institutions) working with national football associations are able to access research grants of up to €20,000 from the UEFA Academy for projects that will contribute towards improves strategic decision-making in European football. The grant is for anyone working on, or already holding, a PhD who is analysing European football from a variety of academic disciplines. Grant applicants must submit a recommendation letter from a UEFA member association, with applications due in Mid-March.
🥇The T-Mobile (yes apparently they are still a thing) Accelerator is now accepting applications to drive 5G innovation in sport. They are interested in organisations and ideas that enhance sporting experiences through building a greater connection between athletes, teams and fans; immersing spectators in the live action; and venue activation. Interested startups and developers can apply with their solution proposal until Feb. 28, 2023.
🏆Two newsletters in a row for Sport en Commun, who together with the French Development Agency (AFD) have launched an open call for projects using sport as a tool for development in Africa. The “Impact 2024 International” programme is offering grants of up to €40,000 for organisations registered in Africa or France, focused on young people and equity for young women and girls. Applicants must have been registered for at least 2 years and have annual resources of less than €500,000 in order to be eligible. Proposals must be submitted by February 13th at the latest.
And finally, a few tools and resources you might find useful:
Use AI to generate royalty free stock images for your marketing and fundraising with Stockimg
Prioritize the topics, events, and trends that matter to you online with Feedly
Create amazing content quickly with Canva
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