Why Club Grants Are Important in Sport

Club grants are essential to the strength and sustainability of community sport.

They help reduce participation costs, making sport more accessible to families and underrepresented groups. Grants also fund facility and equipment upgrades, improving safety and creating more welcoming environments.

Funding supports development programs such as junior clinics, women and girls initiatives, and coach and volunteer training—building long-term pathways and stronger club capacity. Many grants also promote inclusion and diversity, helping clubs engage broader sections of the community.

Importantly, grants enable clubs to innovate, grow, and plan for the future. By providing targeted financial support, they ensure grassroots sport can continue to thrive and positively impact communities.

Planning For Grants

Understanding Grant Terminology and Criteria

Writing Successful Grants

Check out the latest Grants and Sponsorship available here

Sponsorship plays a vital role in helping clubs reduce the cost of participation and achieve their goals and objectives. Whether supporting equipment purchases, subsidising player fees, or contributing to special projects and events, sponsorship can make sport more accessible and sustainable for everyone involved.

Securing sponsorship, however, can be competitive particularly in communities where multiple clubs are seeking support from the same local businesses and organisations. To stand out, clubs should maintain:

• Clear documentation of sponsor history and contributions
• Appoint a dedicated person or sub-committee to manage relationships.
• Have individuals with the right skills and an understanding of the mutual benefits of sponsorship ensures partnerships are nurtured and long-lasting.

Club members also play an important role in the success of sponsorship efforts. From identifying new opportunities to actively supporting and promoting sponsors, members strengthen the partnership and demonstrate the value the club can offer in return.

Sponsorship may come in many forms, including cash contributions, donated goods and services, or access to facilities, resources, or staff expertise. By being creative, flexible, strategic, and reliable, clubs can build meaningful sponsor relationships that deliver lasting benefits for both the club and its supporters.

Sample Sponsorship Proposal

Sample Sponsorship Policy

Sample Sponsor Satisfaction Survey

Fundraising Tips for Clubs

Successful fundraising requires planning, teamwork, and attention to detail. The following tips will help your club maximise results while minimising stress.

Establish a Fundraising Committee

Allocate clear roles and responsibilities and meet regularly. Take and distribute minutes after each meeting—this keeps everyone accountable and provides a practical checklist of tasks before the next meeting.

Plan Early and Plan Well

Identify:

• What needs to be done
• Who is responsible
• Key deadlines

Start early, especially if your event requires booking venues, arranging insurance, applying for permits, or securing guest speakers. These processes can take time.

Set Clear Fundraising Goals

Decide how much money you aim to raise and ensure the activity is financially viable. Consider all costs upfront—an event is only successful if it generates profit after expenses.

Learn from Past Success

Review previous fundraising activities. If something has worked well before, there may be no need to reinvent it. Build on proven ideas and refine them where needed.

Harness Enthusiasm

Choose activities your members are genuinely excited about. Enthusiasm drives participation, improves promotion, and increases sales.

Tap into Hidden Talents

Make the most of the skills and networks within your club community. Members, family, and friends may offer expertise in event management, marketing, catering, sponsorship, or entertainment—helping reduce costs and increase impact.

Understand Permissions and Regulations (NSW)

Ensure your fundraiser complies with relevant laws and guidelines:

• Check whether you need to register your activity with Liquor & Gaming NSW.
• If using a public venue, obtain approval from your local council.
• If serving food, comply with requirements from the NSW Food Authority.
• Review fundraising rules through NSW Fair Trading.

Starting early helps ensure all approvals are in place before your event.

Say Thank You

Recognise and thank volunteers, sponsors, and supporters. Acknowledgement strengthens relationships and increases the likelihood of future support.

Australian Sports Foundation (ASF)

Don't forget you can link your RevolutioniseSport platform to the ASF to allow you to take donations at the point of registration. Click here to find out more.