Sports Specific Major Capital Fund

The Sport Specific Major Grant Project Fund (MGPF) is ring fenced for Rugby Union funding applications only. The application must have support from the national governing body of Rugby (RFU).

The information below explains what organisations and projects the fund can support.

To be eligible:

• A capital project must benefit the sport of rugby and the residents of Hatfield.
• Applications for rugby must be for between £50,000 and £200,000
• Projects must be deliverable in an 18 month period from the date of our award letter
• Your project must start within 16 weeks from the date of our award letter
• Your project must focus on the funds core strategic goal which is to provide sustainable sport in Hatfield. In addition, your project must be working towards one or more of the following strategic objectives which include:

1. Creating new opportunities for young people to play sport
2. The development of an existing sport in Hatfield
3. Getting under-represented groups from Hatfield involved in sport, in Hatfield

• You need to demonstrate why this project can't be funded by another source by showing evidence that you have applied for funding elsewhere
• All applications must show support from their registered national governing body (note that the governing body will be required to be at the board meeting where the application will be reviewed)
• All applicants must have permission from the land owner to develop the project on site, this must be submitted in writing with any application

Examples of projects that will be funded are:

• Projects involving construction of new facilities, for example the building or a new changing room
• Significant development/improvement of existing facilities
• Fixed items of equipment (e.g. fencing or rugby posts)

The information below provides potential bidding partners the basis for which applications will be judged.

Who can apply:

SSMGPF is open to organisations that are formally constituted not-for-profit organisations as well as statutory bodies. These might include sports clubs, voluntary organisations, local authorities, or schools. This fund is not available to an individual, sole trader or partnerships or organisations established to make profit.

To be eligible for this fund an organisation must have a written constitution or governing document which contains a clear not-for-profit statement and charitable dissolution clause. Membership (if applicable) of the organisation should be open to all sections of the community and its governing committee should include at least three individuals who are not related and who do not live together.

Organisations applying to the fund will be required to show supporting documents highlighting appropriate governance.

What won't be funded:

• The fund cannot fund the erection of temporary buildings unless they are a part of a larger building work, for example a new changing room block but a hired temporary changing room is required during the building phase
• Projects that do not benefit Hatfield residents
• Projects that are not supported by the sport's national and/or county governing body
• The general running costs of an organisation (e.g. day to day expenses such as rent, gas, electricity, and insurance costs)
• Ongoing revenue costs associated to the club, for example coaching fees or generic equipment costs
• Used road vehicles
• Projects that take place or incur costs (including deposits and costs associated in submitting the application) before the date of the offer letter.
• Contingency costs and VAT you can recover
• Projects involving travel to another country
• Sponsorship, endowments or loan repayments

Pre-Submission Checklist

Before submitting your application please make sure that:

• Your organisation meets all the eligibility criteria for the fund
• Your project fits with the strategic goal of providing sustainability in sport and one or more of HCSF objectives
• Your project has at least 10 years of security of tenure upon the land on which the project is based or has full ownership of the land
• You have provided details of two independent referees
• Your project is well-planned, in that you have provided evidence of a detailed business plan as well as a robust and realistic budget
• Provided evidence of costs for the project (for example three separate quotes for the work or equipment that is required)
• You can demonstrate that there is a need/demand for your project
• You have highlighted whether or not the project is subject to a successful planning application, and if required at what stage that application is at
• You have detailed what success looks like for the project
• You can measure the results of the project to demonstrate its success

Documents you will need to include:

Please ensure the following documents are provided at the point of application:

• Governing document/constitution
• Most recent accounts (past three years of audited and approved accounts)
• Last three months bank statements
• Safeguarding Policy for children/vulnerable adults (where applicable)
• Development/business plan for the project
• Budget for the proposed project
• Letters of support from National Governing Body
• Evidence of recent successful, in process or unsuccessful funding applications that are directly linked to this project (details of why the funding was unsuccessful should be provided)
• If applicable a long term delivery plan on how the facility will be upgraded when required (e.g. a sink fund)

Applicants will be expected to present to the board to discuss their project proposal along with support from their national governing body. This will be followed by questions from the board.

Your application will not be assessed until all these documents have been provided.