Not-for-profit sports clubs often operate on shoestring budgets. Registration and fees cover the basics. For many clubs, external funding is what allows for improvements, like facility upgrades or development programs.
There are a variety of ways sports clubs can secure additional funds, including grants, fundraising and sponsorship.
Fundraising is a cost-effective way to make money for your club. Your greatest supporters are your members, their families, friends and the local community. But fundraisers can be hard work – planning and resources are needed to get the most out of the event.
- Fundraising committees allocate duties and agree to meet regularly. Make sure to always take minutes and distribute them. This keeps everyone informed and acts as a handy check list of things that need to be done before the next meeting.
- Plan. Determine what needs to be done, when it needs to be done by and who will do it. Start early if your activity involves booking facilities, requiring insurance, applying for permissions or inviting a guest speaker. These may take time.
- Fundraising goals: Determine how much money you want to raise. Keep it all in check – you may have brilliant ideas, but how much will it cost to do? Remember the fundraiser needs to make money to be successful.
- Past successes: Review past fundraising activities. If it has been successful before then there’s probably no reason to change the activity.
- Enthusiasm counts. Discuss what you would all enjoy selling or participate in. If you’re enthusiastic about something, you’ll be more motivated to sell and get people involved.
- Hidden talents: Find out the hidden talents and resources of club members, friends, relatives and associates. A child’s mother may be an event organiser, another’s uncle a sports personality or a next-door neighbour could own a catering company. Utilise what you can to cut down on costs.
- Permissions and regulations: Make sure you get all the necessary permissions and have covered all regulations. Examples include:
- For all activities, check if you need to register with the Liquor & Gaming NSW. Their website features a range of fact sheets and applications.
- If the event is not on the club’s premises, check with the local council for permission to use a public facility or area.
- If you’re serving food, you’ll need to comply with health and food regulations.
- Give thanks. Remember to thank everyone; people are giving up their time and resources to help.
More information
Your state or national body is a good first port of call for advice and assistance.
- For permit application forms and information on fundraising rules and regulations, head to the Liquor and Gaming NSW and NSW Fair Trading.
- The Clearinghouse for Sport connects people in sport to a world of ideas, experiences and knowledge.
- Club Help - Fundraising
- Our Community
- NSW Food Authority for food safety information for your events
Sponsorship is when a business provides funds, resources or services to a club, in return for some form of rights and/or associations with the club that may be used to help the business commercially. This could be in the form of a logo on a football, signs at an oval or free advertising in the newsletter.
More information
Your state or national body is a good first port of call for advice and assistance.
- Clearinghouse for Sport connects people in sport to a world of ideas, experiences and knowledge.
- Club Help - Sponsorship
Each year the Office of Sport provides millions in government grants to nurture sporting talent, help build sports facilities and develop the industry.
In addition, there are other sources of grants outside of the Office of Sport, including across other NSW Government agencies, Commonwealth Government agencies, businesses and not-for-profits. Sport NSW has a list of sporting grants available across the spectrum to NSW sporting organisations.
Key grant programs and resources that support sport and recreation projects include:
- NSW Government - Office of Responsible Gambling - Infrastructure grants
- NSW Government - Community Building Partnership grants
- NSW Government – My Community Project
- Sport NSW – NSW Sporting Grants Summary
- Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities - Community Development Grants Program
- Australian Government - Stronger Communities Program
- Our Community – Funding Centre
The Office of Sport has developed a guide for applicants in applying for grants.
Disclaimer
As with any resource, this does not replace obtaining legal advice on each sport specific requirement and it is recommended you do so.
The information provided in this resource is for your information only. The authors and the NSW Office of Sport accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information or your reliance upon it.