HOW TO APPLY

To manage high demand and ensure all clubs/organisations get the funding they need, we ask that applicants make no more than one application per season unless otherwise agreed with the Foundation.  

Therefore, it’s really important that you take time over your application and ensure you’ve included everything we’ve asked for. This helps make quicker decisions and prevents you from having to submit multiple applications for the same item.  

Please note that we cannot accept multiple sites under one application. 
  

 

  1. Reach out to County FA to notify them of your interest & ask them to check your eligibility. Your County FA should notify the Delivery Manager & Technical Project Manager (in the region) to make them aware of the project.
  2. Once the County FA approves your eligibility, you can contact suppliers from the supplier list. You need to get a minimum of 2 quotes from suppliers on our list.
  3. Create a Football Foundation account, or log in if you already have one.

  4. You will need to ensure all permissions are in place before applying.

     

  5. Income & Expenditure form needs to be completed before submission & will need to be submitted as part of the application.
  6. Your application can be submitted.

If you are part of the Home Advantage Programme, you can apply for a Catering Unit within your Home Advantage Programme application.   

 

Documents you need before applying

To ensure your application is processed, you should include the following documents: 

  • Two like-for-like quotations for Catering Units from a minimum of two different suppliers listed on our preferred supplier list – if they are pre-owned/refurbished, they must come with 12 months warranty. 
  • Evidence of partnership funding. 
  • Income and Expenditure forecast for the Catering Unit.
  • A marked-up drawing or aerial photograph of the site, indicating the location of the proposed Catering Unit.
  • Planning approval notice or confirmation that planning permission is not required.
  • Building regulations.
  • Landlord’s consent to the works.

Please don’t place the order from suppliers for your Catering Unit until full planning permission has been obtained. This is because no funding will be released until this permission is in place.

 

Bespoke conditions

We’re on a mission to transform the quality of pitches across the country. Generating income from your Catering Unit and reinvesting that back into your pitches is a key part of our ambition. The income will help to sustain or enhance your pitches and make your club more financially sustainable.

The following conditions apply in addition to our standard terms and conditions for Catering Units:

  • Applicants should complete a PitchPower inspection or be part of the 3G register for their pitches before applying.
  • To manage high demand and ensure all clubs/organisations get the funding they need, we ask that applicants make no more than one application per season unless otherwise agreed with the Foundation.
  • We cannot accept multiple sites under one application.
  • Any Catering Unit that receives grant funding must meet the specification from the procurement process.
  • There are no tenure requirements for the purchase of a Catering Unit, but the applicant will be liable for the unit for the length of the ten-year clawback period.
     

Pre-claim

  • Contact your Local Authority to see if you need to register as a food business and confirmation of their decision is provided to the Football Foundation.
  • Ensure that a minimum of one person within the club completes a Level 1 Food. Safety Awareness Course and a copy of the certificate is forwarded to the Football Foundation – further information can be found here.
  • You should provide PitchPower reports on all your grass pitches and ensure any 3G pitches are on the 3G pitch register.
  • Complete your Income & Expenditure (I&E) form for your application.
I&E Form

Ready to start your application?

Apply for funding now