Opportunities from EFDN, the NBA, the MLB and 10 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 and digital platform sharing opportunities, tools, tricks, and templates to help you unlock new income for your business or non-profit in sport.

This week we have thirteen (!!) opportunities for you to consider, including:

- Four grants and/or funding competitions
- One contract/supplier opportunities
- Two investment fund/accelerators
- Three industry events
- Three resources and/or tools

Don’t forget, only paid members get full access to the list plus 24/7 access to the On The Ball + digital hub featuring a full events calendar, grants database and more.

---

So, let’s get into it:

The annual Sport for Business Sport for Social Good Conference, in partnership with Allianz, will take place at the Irish Film Institute on Eustace Street in Dublin on the morning of Thursday, October 5th. Speakers include the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sanctuary Runners, Carbon Click and other prominent organisations in Irish sport for development. Tickets start at 80EUR for Sport for Business members and 120EUR for non-members. Grab yours before it’s too late.

The MetroWest Health Foundation have launched their Fall 2023 grant round, offering investments of up to $30,000 for projects supporting girls’ mental health and healthy lifestyles amongst underserved groups. Youth-serving agencies and NGOs serving residents of MetroWest in one of 25 locations can apply for funding to cover consultation, curriculum materials, program/activity supplies, staff time and other direct program expenses. The foundation uses concept papers as a way to initiate a conversation with applicants about whether the request is a good fit with current funding initiatives. Concept papers include a one-page summary, a cover sheet and a logic model, and must be submitted no later than October 6th.

Saudi Arabian region NEOM and the Global Sports Innovation Centre (GSIC) have teamed up to launch the NEOM Sport Open Innovation Programme, inviting startups to join the competition and receive capacity building, market exposure and up to 50,000 EUR funding each if successful. Startups from all over the world offering AI or tech-based solutions in the fields of adventure sport, capacity building, security and performance improvement are invited to apply. Apply online before October 12th to be considered, with competition winners expected to be announced in late November.

The MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association that supports efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness, and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally. The Foundation makes grants to support capital projects, baseball and softball participation focused programs, educational initiatives and to support schools. Letters of inquiry will be considered until September 2024 on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive a status update within 60 days following their submission, and the foundation may request a phone call to review projects/programs if it has additional questions.