Active Glasgow Community Fund

This funding is targeted at voluntary organisations who enable and support communities to get and stay active.

Glasgow Life require all successful organisations to have their own bank account and be appropriately constituted.

Applications from, but not limited to, the following organisation types within Glasgow are encouraged:

• Voluntary Sport Clubs
• Community Sport Hubs
• Community  Organisations supporting people to get active.

Please note that independent branches of larger organisations can apply directly to us, but must have their own governing document and be allowed to manage funds without referring to another body.

If you are not sure if you are a branch of a larger organisation, then we recommend you check your governing document.

Dependent branches can apply directly to us if they have their own governing document and bank account.

This funding will support projects that aim to get more people active longer term.

We want to see applications that are based on need and clearly identify the role of the funding to get more people active.

Projects that establish new activity and target under-represented groups, noted below, will be prioritised.

• People from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
• LGBTQI+ communities
• Communities living in relative poverty (SIMD 1 and 2)
• Women and Girls
• People with Disabilities
• Older Adults

The Active Glasgow Communities Fund can support projects with £500 - £2000.

For larger amounts we will prioritise applications who target under-represented groups and show a clear community need.

We are always open to new suggestions and creative ideas to remove barriers to increase participation.

We would encourage you apply only for the amount needed and be specific with your costings. As a guide we have listed some items we will support:

• Short Term Facility Hire Costs (recommended 6 weeks).
• Sports and Safety Equipment costs 
• Coach Education and Volunteer training costs
• Marketing and Promotion (£250 max)
• Hardship Costs that remove barriers for underrepresented individuals.
• Delivery costs for a paid coach to set up activity  (maximum 6 weeks).

All equipment and training costs should be directly linked to the activity and relative to the costs of the activity.

For facility hire and coaching or delivery costs please include information on how these will be sustained after the funding.

The Active Glasgow Community Fund is unable to support the following:

• Projects or activities taking place outside of the Glasgow City Council boundary.
• Applications from organisations who are not voluntary community organisations.
• Projects or activities that have started or involve any retrospective costs.
• Capital costs.
• Costs for personal items of equipment and / or team kits or strips.
• Long term coaching or delivery costs.
• Projects that are short term and have a definitive end date.

Fantastic - we love to receive applications to support new projects.

Firstly, read through the fund guidance. Create a clear picture in your head of what you want to achieve and how the fund can support this.

After this, contact your Glasgow Life - Sports Development Officer. They will discuss the idea with you and provide support with your application.

Please do this prior to applying as it will support your application and provide you with a better chance of being successful.

If you do not know who to contact then let us know at grants@glasgowlife.org.uk

We will look to gather information on your organisation, projects and the funding required for it to take place. 

Please make sure you have the following information before you apply:

• Organisation contact information
• Organisation membership breakdown
• A summary of your project with key dates
• How you have identified the need for the project
• Who your project will target
• The costs associated with your activities and how you will sustain this beyond the funding period

The answer to this is simple. You should apply for what you need to deliver the project.

We want our funding to support as many projects as possible and we ask applicants to only request what you need to get people active.

For awards close to the £2,000 maximum we are looking for new projects that get people from under represented groups active long term.

Strong applications identify a need and show a strong sustainable project that has a clear audience and impact.

We would expect applications that enhance existing delivery to cost less as the foundations are already in place.

All applications are assessed against the same criteria below.

1. Project Benefits

What difference is your project intended to make? This includes the number of people it will benefit and the target groups for your activity.

2. Evidence of Need

How clearly have you shown that there is a need or demand for your activity? Include any community engagement or evidence you have that people want to get active in your project.

3. Sustainable Benefit

How will you make sure your project lasts longer term? Please be clear in your application on how you will use your resources and cover costs after the funding has ended to continue your activity.

4. Project Costs

Are your costs reasonable and all needed for the delivery of your project? You should be reasonable, clear and ensure all costs have a direct relation to getting more people active.

The funding panel will assess whether the amount requested provides good value for the project being delivered.

5. Organisation

Does your organisation have everything in place to receive funding and deliver this project? Tell us in your application why you are well placed to deliver this project. The online form will allow you to upload evidence of your organisation bank account and governance documents.

The Active Glasgow Community Fund is open and applications are welcome at any stage.

We assess applications each month with the deadline for consideration the final day of the previous month.

We would encourage you to apply 6 weeks -  2 months prior to your project start date.

Deadlines for applications are noted below:

2024

• Wednesday 31st July
• Saturday 31st August
• Monday 30th September
• Thursday 31st October
• Saturday 30th November

2025

• Friday 31st January
• Friday 28th February

Funding meetings take place within the first two weeks of the following month and an award decision will be communicated in due course.

You are now working in partnership with Glasgow Life to get more people active!

We want to stay in touch to support you as we work towards the same aim - to deliver your project and get more people active. 

If anything changes in your plan, including any setbacks, talk to us we are here to help.

When your project is up and running then we want to hear all about it! We can also help you promote this via our Activity Finder and social media.

Tag us on social media at Glasgow Sport using #ActiveGlasgow and we will share your story.

And when the funding has come to an end all we ask for is for you to complete a short impact report to tell us the difference that your project made.