Funding news: Barclays Community Sport Fund

A new round of funding is now open for UK charities and community organisations looking to increase participation in sport—particularly for women and girls.

The Sported, in partnership with Barclays, has launched the latest Barclays Community Sport Fund Access Grants, offering £1,000 per organisation to support grassroots activity.

What the funding supports

This programme is designed to tackle inequalities in sport by helping organisations:

• Launch new activities
• Expand existing sessions
• Remove barriers to participation
• Engage underrepresented groups

The focus is specifically on football, cricket, and tennis activities for women and girls, with funding intended to make sport more inclusive and accessible.

Importantly, the grant is flexible and can be used for a wide range of costs—from equipment and coaching to venue hire and marketing.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to a wide range of not-for-profit organisations, including:

• Charities
• Community groups
• Youth organisations
• Grassroots sports clubs

To be eligible, organisations must be delivering (or planning to deliver) football, cricket or tennis activities for women and girls, and typically operate in areas of high deprivation.

There is also flexibility for organisations supporting:

• Women and girls with disabilities
• Communities experiencing rural isolation

Key dates and details

• Grant value: £1,000
• Application deadline: 27 May 2026 (5pm)
• Geography: UK-wide
• One grant per organisation

Applications are expected to be highly competitive, and the fund may close early if oversubscribed—so early application is strongly encouraged.

Why this matters for fundraisers

While £1,000 may seem modest, funds like this can play a critical role in:

• Piloting new programmes
• Unlocking additional funding
• Demonstrating impact to larger funders
• Strengthening community engagement

We often see smaller grants acting as catalysts for bigger funding opportunities, particularly when used strategically.

How IFCo can help

Opportunities like the Barclays Community Sport Fund are highly competitive—and success often comes down to how clearly you can demonstrate need, impact, and sustainability.

We support organisations to:

• Identify the right funding opportunities
• Develop strong, compelling applications
• Build long-term funding strategies beyond one-off grants

Final thoughts

The Barclays Community Sport Fund Access Grant is a valuable opportunity for organisations working at the heart of their communities.

For charities looking to grow participation, test new ideas, or strengthen their impact, this funding could be an important stepping stone.

If you’re considering applying and want to maximise your chances of success, get in touch with IFCo today.

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