Funding for Athletes

Individual athletes can receive funding from a variety of sources including grant funding and sponsorship.

Sources of grant funding for individual athletes include:

• Access for Athletes – Challenged Athletes Foundation
  Provides funding grants for equipment such as sports wheelchairs, handcycles, mono skis, etc, as well as training and competition expenses to physically challenged individuals
• Boost Charitable Trust
  Build on Overlooked Sporting Talent provides funding to support the disabled and disadvantaged to overcome their challenges through sport
• LEAP – Active Lincolnshire
  The Lincolnshire Elite Athlete Programme (LEAP) run by Active Lincolnshire
• UK Sport – The UK’s High Performance Sports Agency
  UK Sport’s National Lottery backed World Class Performance Programme – athletes can receive support for their Olympic or Paralympic campaign
• Dickie Bird Foundation – Support for individuals with the aim of helping disadvantaged young people under 18 to participate in sport.

Corporate sponsors:

Focused targeting of local and national businesses which can benefit and raise their profile by associating their brand with a successful or promising athlete needs to be undertaken. This is a lengthy task, but can bring rewards – however as an athlete you must be prepared to support the business and commit to their brand and values.

Athletes in education can also try:

• Independent Schools Council
  Some schools have scholarships available for talented individuals, information is available from the school to which you are applying
• College/University Sports Bursaries/Grants
  Some colleges and universities will provide financial support to high performing student athletes – contact the Student Services Department of your institution

Other Funding Information Sources:

• Funding for Clubs
• Funding for Communities
• www.fundingcentral.org
• www.j4bcommunity.co.uk
• www.sportengland.org
• www.grantnet.com
• Volunteer Centres: Lincoln, North Kesteven, West Lindsey
• Lincolnshire County Council Funding Portal
• Lincolnshire Community Foundation
• Local Councils – District and County
• Active Lincolnshire