Opportunities from Erasmus+, Henry Smith Foundation, Goldman Sachs and 9 others.
Curated funding opportunities and networking events in sport for good.
On The Ball is a fortnightly newsletter brought to you by our team at Remedy. We curate funding opportunities, competitions and networking events in sport for good so that you don’t have to.
This week we have 12 opportunities for you to consider. Don’t forget, only paid members get full access to the list.
So, let’s get into it:
It’s peak summer, and we’re spoiled for great sport to watch. The men’s FIFA World Cup final is fast approaching, Wimbledon has been as dramatic as ever, and in Glasgow, the Commonwealth Games are mere days away. If you weren’t already inspired, here are some fantastic funding opportunities in sport for good.
First up, applications are open for the #BeActive EU Sport Award. Individuals, companies and organisations are encouraged to apply if they’ve successfully used sport and physical activity to promote health, inclusion, intergenerational dialogue, volunteering, or peace across Europe. You or your organisation must be based in an EU Member State, or in a listed EEA country, associated with the Erasmus+ programme. The prize budget is €125,000, split between five categories, with one winner earning €15,000. This opportunity closes on 17th September 2026; applicants will find out if they’ve been successful in March 2027.
In partnership with The Phoenix Community Trust, TNL’s The Step Forward Fund aims to dismantle structural racism and funding inequality. Step Forward is for groups from Global Majority and racially minoritised communities who need a financial boost to grow their organisation, advocate and care for their communities, and build on their existing work. If you’re involved with a sporting enterprise which represents these communities, read the Step Forward Fund’s criteria to see if you’re eligible - there’s £4m of funding to be shared among successful applicants. Applications are open now, ending at noon on the 11th of September.
For organisations in the US, Goldman Sachs’ Community Development Grants are now open. Non-profits serving low and moderate-income (LMI) communities - in New York, Utah and New Jersey - are eligible to apply. Goldman Sachs are looking to fund organisations that have a history of meeting community needs, engagement with LMI communities (with designed and meticulously implemented programmes in place), and innovative ideas, which go beyond today’s solutions and provide continued support for communities well into the future. Typically, standalone sports initiatives aren’t eligible, but “recreational component(s)” which “serve as a direct vehicle for achieving measurable outcomes aligned with the program’s core community development focus areas” will be considered. There are two grants - Change Makers (a single operational grant given to nonprofits) and Equity Builders (multi-year operational grants). Applications close on the 24th of July, just before midnight (EST).
If you’re quick, you’ll beat the deadline for the LA84 Foundation’s Large Grant Docket. As the name suggests, the LA84 Foundation began after Los Angeles hosted the 1984 Olympic Games, and it’s focused on “moving communities forward by ensuring every child has access to the benefits of sports”. Letters of interest are open for sport for good enterprises which serve under-represented young communities, especially LGBTQ+ youth, gender non-conforming youth, disabled youngsters, young people of colour, girls and young women across Southern California. Health, safety and engagement are the priorities, and organisations serving multiple schools or locales will be prioritised. Read the guidelines and see if you’re eligible for a grant of up to US$25,000. Applications close on the 17th of July!
The UEFA Foundation for Children has put out a call for projects which use sport and/or football as a vehicle for social change, and provide support and sporting opportunities for children and young people. The UEFA Foundation for Children specifically seek NGOs focused on disability, personal development, conflict areas, encouraging healthy lifestyles, infrastructure, gender equality, environmental sustainability and employability. Read the criteria for applicants before applying, and though UEFA is a European footballing authority, its philanthropic work is global. Applications close on the 3rd of August.
The Mayor’s investment in youth clubs fund aims to provide young people in London with safe places to go on evenings, weekends and school holidays. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is investing over £30 million to deliver “at least one late night youth club in every London borough”, so if you run a community or voluntary organisation in the capital, prepare an application. Organisations with a sports focus are especially welcome to apply, to cover the costs of running a youth club beyond standard working hours. There are two webinars available to prospective applicants, one on Tuesday 21st July (10-11.30 am BST), and another on Thursday 23rd July (3- 4.30 pm BST). Applications open on Monday 20th July, with grants available from October.
