With increasing awareness of gender equality and the need to provide women with equal opportunities, numerous grants are now available specifically for female athletes and sports programs.
These grants play a pivotal role in empowering women to excel in their chosen sports, fostering talent development, and promoting inclusivity. Here are a few key grant opportunities (open now!), including national and state opportunities.
Australia-Wide Women in Sport Grants
Junior and Youth Girls Uniform Grants Program
Supports inclusion in community football by enabling clubs to provide suitable uniforms for junior and youth girls.
This may include:
- Replacing white shorts with a suitable alternative for junior & youth girls teams
- Purchasing of appropriate playing uniforms that are made specifically for girls (ie female cuts).
Application Dates:
Round 1:
Opens: 01 Jun 2024
Closes: 30 Jun 2024
Funds Available:
$250,000 is available, with clubs and umpire associations able to apply for up to $3,000 each, while leagues can apply for up to $10,000.
Eligibility:
This grant round is only open to junior and youth girls. For avoidance of doubt, this includes teams, umpires, and competitions under the age of eighteen.
Review guidelines here.
DoorDash Footy Cash
The objective of the DFC Grants Programme is to provide support in the form of localised partnerships to TFA affiliated Touch Football associations and members to provide assistance or further develop programs, services and opportunities within the community.
Application Dates:
Round 3 Opens: 09 May 2024
Closes: 31 Jul 2024
Funds Available:
$1,000 – $25,000
Eligibility:
To be eligible for the DFC Grants Programme, applicants must be:
- Affiliated touch football competitions of Touch Football Australia (DoorDash NRL Touch Football)
- Fully financial with Touch Football Australia
- Fully compliant and actively using the MySideline competition management system
- Willing and able to enter into a legally binding partnership with DoorDash and/or their appointed local vendor and have no conflicting partners.
- Registered, financial TFA individual members and/or TFA accredited volunteers.
Full guidelines here.
AFLW Community Ambassador Program
Recognises members of the football community who have been instrumental in facilitating and nurturing the remarkable growth of women and girls’ football.
Application Dates:
Round 3 Opens: 13 May 2024 Closes: 16 Jun 2024
Funds Available:
Each State/Territory winner (seven (7) winners in total) will win one prize consisting of each of the following:
- Grant of $1,000.000 (excl. GST) from the Australian Women’s Football Fund to donate to the club of the winner’s choice
- Invitation to a virtual networking event online hosted by AFL’s National Women & Girls’ Lead, and AFL Hall of Famer, Debbie Lee
- One (1) ticket to the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final
- Return economy flights via Virgin Australia from their nearest capital city to the location of the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final
- Two (2) nights’ accommodation in the location of the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final
- Entry to the ‘Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador’ function held the morning of the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final.
Australian Football Facilities Fund
Assists Leagues and Clubs in securing financial commitment from various stakeholders to contribute towards funding the improvement of existing or provision of new football facilities.
Application Dates:
Always Open
Funds Available:
Up to $50,000
Women in sport grants are vital in promoting gender equality, encouraging participation, and fostering talent development in Australian sports. By leveraging these funding opportunities, female athletes and sports programs can achieve greater success and make a lasting impact on their communities. As a grant writer, I encourage all eligible individuals and organisations to explore these grants and take full advantage of the resources available to support women in sports.