Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund
The Process
Step 1
Club signs up to PitchPower which is an online tool allowing clubs to complete their own inspections & access funds directly from your mobile. This will need to be done for EACH of the pitches you want funding for, BEFORE you can apply for the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.
See link: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/pitchpower
The Football Foundation (FF) provide grants that help with the purchase of new and previously owned pitch maintenance equipment recommended via your PitchPower Assessment Report in order to help improve the quality of your pitch. The FF can accept a grant application from you IF the PitchPower Assessment Report recommends that machinery/equipment is required to improve the pitches condition.
TOP TIP: Drop the Facilities & Investment team an email before you apply to ensure you’re on the right track.
How much can you apply for?
Funding falls into two categories – ENHANCE or SUSTAIN. Your PitchPower pitch inspection (a requirement of the grant) will provide you with a Performace Quality Standard (PQS) per pitch - which will help decide how much funding you'll be eligible for - and a list of maintenance recommendations which you'll need to carry out as part of your grant award.
Grants are paid annually for six years but tapered down during that time. The amounts below show the grant values for the first year at 100% funding.
Enhance - For pitches with a PQS of 'basic' or below.
Sustain - For pitches with a PQS of 'good' or higher.
What can the funding be spent on?
The funding provided MUST be used to carry out the recommendations from your PitchPower Report. Including:
• Contractor works e.g. slitting, scarification or decompaction
• Purchasing materials e.g. seed or fertiliser
• Purchasing equipment e.g. Soil Sampler
Routine maintenance work such as grass cutting, and line marking are NOT eligible.
TOP TIP: We would encourage you to maintain your existing levels of maintenance, regardless. This funding is to give you additional support, not to replace your current regime.
Documents required on application
• PitchPower Assessment Report evidencing the equipment need
• Evidence of partnership funding (e.g. Proof of Club Bank Account)
Step 2.
Once your application and supporting documents are submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email from the FF. Your application will be assessed by their Grant Management Team who will contact you to discuss your application should they have any queries. Assessment typically up to 4 weeks.
You will then receive an email notification that your decision letter is available for download via your Football Foundation account.
THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT BE PURCHASED UNTIL THE GRANT TERMS & CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED.
THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION WILL NOT FUND PROJECTS RETROSPECTIVELY.
Tapered means that the FF will pay a reduced percentage of the initial grant value every two years with the club making up the difference. For example, the grant awarded for an 11v11 pitch that needs enhancing would be £2,500 in year 1 and 2, £1,667 in year 3 and 4 and £833 in year 5 and 6.
- More details can be found in the FAQs here
