Club Improvement Fund reopens for applications

The Club Improvement Fund has reopened for applications, offering vital support to clubs across the country.

Since April 2024, England Athletics have given grants of £62,000 to 129 affiliated clubs through the Club Improvement Fund. This has contributed towards total project costs of £218,503.

All 129 clubs had a minimum of 5 out of 7 for Club Standards at the point of payment, and all were compliant with Club Standard 6 (safeguarding).

There are a range of different ways that clubs can use the funding to improve their club, whether that be supporting with the transition to new age group categories on 1 April 2026, the recruitment and training of new club volunteers, or increasing retention of junior athletes. 

About the fund

The Club Improvement Fund will provide grants of up to £500 to support clubs with projects that aim to reduce some of the barriers they are facing. We want to fund projects that will help clubs to provide a safe, sustainable and welcoming environment for their athletes and runners.  

We are particularly interested in funding projects that cover one or more of the following areas:

• Recruitment and training of new volunteers to add capacity or enhance member experience. 
• Supporting members to reach their potential through the development of existing volunteers or provision of new club experiences.
• Increasing retention of junior athletes through the modernisation of the club experience.
• Enhancing how clubs recruit and engage with new members.
• Supporting clubs with the transition to the new age group categories.

Criteria

The Club Improvement Fund is open to all England Athletics affiliated clubs, with priority given to clubs who have not received funding in the past 12 months.  

Additional criteria: 

• Clubs who received Club Improvement Funding for coach education last year will not be eligible to apply for coach education grants this time but can apply for other projects. 
• Clubs must meet all aspects of Club Standard 6 at the point of application. 
• Clubs must have a minimum of 6/7 for Club Standards with the aim of having 7/7 by the point of grant approval. Please note, we will prioritise funding to clubs with 7/7 for Club Standards. 
• Clubs who received Club Improvement Funding in June-August 2025 will not be eligible to apply for further funding this year.

If you would like to speak to someone about Club Standards prior to putting in your application, please contact the Club Support Manager for your region.