We’re Empowering Active Communities – Apply Now for Funding

Local sports clubs and community groups can apply now for grants of up to £10,000 to support new exercise and sporting initiatives in their area, following the launch of the latest phase of our Community Matters Fund.

The £500,000 ‘Active Communities’ fund has been launched to empower communities, improve health and widen participation in local sport and physical activity.

It offers a maximum grant of £10,000 to registered companies and charities, or £2,000 for unregistered organisations, giving grassroots organisations an opportunity to make a lasting impact in their communities.

We’re encouraging applications from sports clubs and other groups looking to run physical activities, including both recognised sports and non-traditional forms of exercise. Projects could include anything from sitting exercise classes to walking clubs or new community basketball clubs. The fund welcomes diversity and applications that meet community needs, particularly from organisations in economically disadvantaged areas or serving underrepresented and marginalised groups.

Graham Halladay, Operations Director at National Grid, said: "The ‘Active Communities’ fund represents our commitment to promoting wellbeing and healthy communities for people of all ages. We want to create a legacy of active communities; that means delivering positive and sustainable change by bringing people together through physical activity to improve individual and community wellbeing - and having fun along the way.

“We welcome applications from groups of all sizes which are using sport or exercise to unlock physical and social benefits. Through this fund, we want to help these groups foster new social connections and promote social good through increased physical activity. From chair aerobics and walking football to establishing a new girls’ rugby team, we’re looking forward to receiving their ideas and applications.”

Applications for the ‘Active Communities’ fund could include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Support for the setup of new active groups or new and extended activities within existing clubs/associations, aiming to bring diverse communities and/or groups together.
• Training programmes for volunteers to become coaches and mentors supporting people with mental or physical health conditions.
• Minor facility alterations to remove accessibility barriers for people with mobility impairments.
• Innovative approaches to increasing participation and engagement with physical activity and exercise in your community.

The closing date for applications is Friday 28th July. 

For more information about the 'Active Communities' fund and how to apply, please visit www.nationalgrid.co.uk/community-matters-fund

‘Active Communities’ is the latest phase of our Community Matters Fund which has awarded almost £5 million to good causes since 2021.