The Future of Community Sport Funding
April 30, 2025 | 9am - 10:15am
House of Commons, London
Live blog
Highlights
Over 800 registrants for the event.
60 in attendance including MPs Noah Law, Stephanie Peacock and Anna Gelderd
Monday 5th May 10:00am: Catch up on everything that happened
A full overview of the days events, comments and insights are now available to read here.
Wed 10:15am: Connecting
As the talks finish, the real discussions start as the room comes together to explore solutions, next steps and build relationships between the attending organisations.
Wed 10:10am: Getting involved
Head of the Crowdfunder Foundation Jason Nuttall, talked about how organisations, trusts and individuals can also support sports projects by making donations through the Crowdfunder Foundation. Jason thanked everyone from Sport England and other Crowdfunder partners for their support of the Foundation and his hopes that there is a bright future.
Wed 10:05am: Centrica starting out with Crowdfunder
James Corcoran, Head of Brand Partnerships at Centrica (British Gas), announced that they are starting a partnership with Crowdfunder to support there existing programmes. Previously their “NG for tomorrow” programme has been focusing on helping communities reach net zero for emissions. where they have invested over £4.5 million into communities across the country. Their focus on helping community projects will be a key focus for their organisation.
Wed 10:00am: The call for more funders to get involved
Crowdfunder CO-CEO Dawn Bebe, talks about the growth and recent launch of the Crowdfunder Sports Hub and how Sport England and Crowdfunder are actively looking for companies and organisations to help provide additional funding to community programmes through the hub.
Wed 9:58am: For every £1 invested, £40 donated
Lisa continued to explain that Sport England has invested over £250 million into community projects, and that their relationship with Crowdfunder is growing stronger. An example given showed that projects in Essex saw for every one pound invested by Sport England, there was £14 donated by the crowd.
Wed 9:55am: The future of Community Sport
Crowdfunder CO-CEO Dawn Bebe, introduces Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place. Lisa explained how Sport England’s approach is developing and that it’s not fair that we you live determines your access level to sport. The Movement fund programme and other programmes are being design for those that need it most, not those that are good at completing application forms.
Wed 9:52am: Stephanie Peacock
Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, shares her congratulations to everyone involved in the Active Together programme and the great examples of communities supporting sports projects across the country. Stephanie welcomed anyone to with an idea to approach her directly and to talk about any challenges.
Wed 9:50am: Rewarding communities
Salford Red Devils, Paul Trainor detailed how they rewarded fans and to make those fans feel part of their campaign by adding the names of their supporters woven into a matchday shirt. Natalie from Park Lane Stables detailed how they offered names onto bricks at the stables, so that the pledgers will be part of the stables forever
Wed 9:45am: Park Lane Stables
Natalie O'Rourke, Manager of Park Lane Stables, detailed how the stables faced imminent closure and needed to raise £1million pounds to ensure the future of their riding for the disabled programme in Richmond, London. Natalie through a relentless campaign that gained national coverage raised £1,317,417 from over 30,000 donations.
Wed 9:40am: Salford Red Devils
Paul Trainor, Director of Foundation and Rugby Partnerships at Salford Red Devils talked about how they raised £250,000 Salford Red Devils became the only Community Owned Elite Rugby League Club, their community share project raised £363k to transform the club ownership and allow the club to focus on community growth. Creating a wheel chair team and plans for a new rugby academy.
Wed 9:35am: Bloomsbury Football Foundation
Charlie Hyman, Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Football Foundation. Detailed how their foundation works with children aged 3 - 15 years old, irrespective of their footballing or financial ability. Based in Central London, they have supported over 3,000 children. Raising £20,000 to continue their project work and navigate the effects of the Covid lockdowns, including match funding from Sport England (£6,000).
Wed 9:30am: Black Prince Trust
Simon Deverell introducing a panel discussion, where first up is Richard Joyce from the Black Prince Trust. Richard detailed how Crowdfunding has become more important to the multi sport venue based in London. They cater for over 150,000 visitors, focused on providing free community access to children and adults. They Crowdfunded to created a concrete base for their Basketball Courts to be reopened.
They raised £24,590, including match funding from Sport England (£10,000) and Lambeth Council (£5,000)
Wed 9:25am: Active Together importance
Tim Hollingsworth final points addressed the decline in lottery ticket sales, meaning that funding was becoming less due to the economic situation. Meaning that those reliant or looking for grant funding would need to start considering a crowdfunding element to the fundraising plans.
Sport England will be continuing to offer match funding grants through Crowdfunder and encouraging more clubs and organisations into this path due to the benefits of greater community involvement and the additional impact that volunteers and local businesses can bring.
Wed 9:20am: Active Together report
Tim Hollingsworth walked through the impact report from the Active Together programme, highlighting how projects that ran matched Crowdfunder projects had an average donation level from the public of £87 per donation.
Highlighting the huge potential that crowdfunding offers Sport England and the grassroots sporting sector.
Wed 9:15am: Active Together
Chief Executive of Sport England Tim Hollingsworth, details how important the Active Together pilot programme has been. Where community sports projects work alongside Sport England and Crowdfunder with match funding their ideas and needs.
”The programme has helped to give everyone the opportunity to receive money through matched Crowdfunding”
Wed 9:05am: Kicking off…
MP Noah Law introduces to the day and thanking Sport England and Crowdfunder for their work in promoting community sports and hopes that today brings more people together to help the sports community.
Wed 8:55am: Making a difference
Our Co-Ceo Simon Deverell welcomes MP Anna Geldert to the event.
Wed 8:30am: The day begins
Today’s event is ready to go…
Tue 8:00pm: A look ahead
We’re already to go the night before, and it’s a beautiful evening in London.
Tue 12:00pm: Agenda for the day
Tomorrow sees the event start at 9am with Crowdfunder CO-CEO Dawn Bebe and MP Noah Law welcoming over 60 attendees from leading organisations, sporting NGBs and funding providers to the House of Commons. Ahead of talks from Stephanie Peacock MP, Sport England’s CEO Tim Hollingsworth and Executive Director Lisa Dodd-Mayne, plus a number of panel guests discussing the future of community funding in sport.
About this event
Stephanie Peacock MP (Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society, and Youth) will discuss the vital role that government plays in community sport. She will be joined by Tim Hollingsworth (CEO) and Lisa Dodd-Mayne (Executive Director) from Sport England, who will share insights into the success of the Active Together programme. This will be followed by a discussion on the future of funding for sports communities across the UK.
Attendance is by invitation only. If you’re part of an organisation that funds community sports, a brand committed to growing sport in the UK, or a broadcaster/media partner in the sports sector, you can apply for a place by completing the following form.
For more information about this event, please get in touch.