The Foundation is responsible for levering new and additional private investment into community sport in England, and for promoting the benefits of investing in community sport. We do this by matching new and additional private investment with Foundation funding, on a pound for pound basis. This is a great opportunity for both investors and community sports organisations to work together to improve the sporting infrastructure of the country.

For the private investor there is a chance to enhance brand profile, add value to existing CSR programmes and make a lasting impact on community sport in England. The increased investment in, and commitment to, community sport from the public and private sectors will grow sporting opportunities for all.

The Foundation's budget in 2008/09 is accessible to a wide range of organisations with no ring fenced allocation made; there is £7.67 million available to eligible applications in 2008/09. Eligible applications will be assessed on the quality of information provided and the organisation's ability to meet NSF and Sport England objectives (Grow, Sustain, Excel) and assessment criteria.

Applications will be assessed on a first come first serve basis. This will ensure that the benefits of the funding are received at the earliest opportunity. It is anticipated that the level of applications will exceed the funds that are available; therefore not all eligible projects are likely to receive funding. Current and prospective applicants will be notified via the website and through Project Development Officers when all funding for 2008/09 has been committed.

All projects applying in 2008/09 will need to ensure that their project is able to spend and deliver their entire grant funding by 31 March 2009. Private investment may be used to sustain projects after this date; however the private investment funding must be in the applicant's bank account from the beginning of the project. The NSF will only consider one year revenue projects and capital projects that meet the criteria below. We recognise the tight time scale and we will do everything to support applicants to help them comply with it, however it is a constraint of exchequer funding which we can not change.

All applicants should please note the two stage assessment process which is detailed on the NSF website. However, it will be possible to move a project straight to full Award at the first stage if sufficient detailed information is submitted with the initial application. This will require applicants to undertake significant work at their own risk to develop a suitable Action Plan. Applicants interested in fast tracking their application should discuss this with the Project Development Officer assigned to their project.

What is the Criteria for 2008/09?

The National Sports Foundation, which is funded and administered by Sport England, will consider match funding projects that meet with Sport England's Strategy 2008 - 2011. Projects that address the outcomes of Grow, Sustain, Excel will be eligible for consideration. These outcomes are explained below:

Grow

Increasing regular* participation in sport by 200,000 adults per annum (1m in total by 2012/13) and working with Youth Sport Trust to enable young people to access at least 5 hours of sport a week.

*Regular is defined as three session of moderate intensity sport each week.

Sustain

Sustaining current participation in sport by ensuring that participants have a high quality experience and working to reduce the "drop-off" in sports participation between 16 and 18.

Excel

Developing and accelerating talent. By investing in individual sports, making sure that many more talented performers move onto elite programmes and sporting success.

In addition to the above Outcomes, match funding projects which deliver one or more of the following will be considered:

Increased participation in sporting activity, with a strong focus on under-represented groups*
Increased club membership
Increased numbers of qualified and active coaches delivering instruction in sport
Increase numbers of active volunteers supporting community sport

*Under-represented groups - young people, women and girls, people with disabilities, over 45's, black and minority ethnic groups, socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

There are three priority funding themes for 2008-2009:

Fit for Sport - projects to improve both physical and human infrastructure for community clubs. This will include investing in clubs, coaches and volunteers in local communities
2012 Kids - building on the success of the Olympics, projects to encourage children and young people to take up sport; and
Women into Sport - projects to increase female participation in sport, including providing coaching and support for female teams

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