Community Sports Grant Funding 2026

Overview

 Community Sports Grants Programme

The Community Sports Grants programme is designed to support projects that use sport and physical activity as a tool to improve health, wellbeing, inclusion and community cohesion.

This programme will allow local voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations to:

• Create new opportunities for Sandwell residents to take part in sport in a community setting
• Support people to transition from ‘healthy lifestyle’ activities into regular sporting activities
• Increase the number of volunteers involved in helping to deliver sports activities
• Create opportunities for volunteers to become qualified sports coaches

The programme will provide awards from £500 to £5,000 with the potential to apply for up to £10,000 for innovative/collaborative projects.

Priority will be given to grassroots and VCS organisations with a strong understanding of the communities they serve, particularly those that work with under-represented or emerging communities. Grant applicants will need to demonstrate clear community benefit, such as increasing participation in sport, removing barriers to physical activity, developing local volunteering or strengthening community connections.

Project Brief

The programme will support both small-scale activities and more innovative, developed approaches to community sport, ensuring that funding reaches organisations at different stages of development while delivering meaningful and lasting impact for local communities.

What we would like to see in your application:

• Demonstration of clear community benefit, such as increasing participation in sport, removing barriers to physical activity, developing local volunteering or strengthening community connections
• We will be looking at how your grant project delivers against Sandwell Council strategic themes
• Applications should be clear and demonstrate how the project will deliver benefits to the community
• Projects should be delivered only in Sandwell
• Costs should be realistic and based on quotes or recent price estimates where possible
• Projects must demonstrate realistic delivery timelines
•  Applicants should demonstrate that costs represent fair and reasonable value for money
• In-kind contributions are encouraged where possible and may strengthen applications
• Applications must include details of partner organisations, including name, address, and contact details where applicable
• Please ensure you read the Community Sports Grants Guidance Notes 2026 before completing the application form.
• Please refer to the Community Sports Grants Guidance Notes 2026 

Delivery Period:

Grant spend should be completed within 12 months of award.

If you have any queries before submitting an application, please email admin_vsgt@sandwell.gov.uk

Application Closing Date:

Friday 2 October 2026