Deadline: 26-May-2026
The Revenue Open Fund under the Movement, Activity and Sport programme supports organizations in York and North Yorkshire to deliver new or expanded movement, sport, and physical activity initiatives. The programme funds revenue-based costs such as staffing, equipment, training, and programme delivery with a focus on increasing participation among underserved and inactive communities.
Program Overview
The Revenue Open Fund aims to increase access to movement, sport, and physical activity opportunities by supporting organizations delivering community-based programmes and services. The initiative focuses on helping organizations expand activities, strengthen delivery capacity, and reach groups that face barriers to participation.
The programme supports sustainable interventions that improve health outcomes, strengthen inclusion, and reduce inequalities within communities. It places strong emphasis on long-term community impact and accessible participation opportunities.
Focus Areas and Program Objectives
The programme supports several priorities related to physical activity and community wellbeing.
Key objectives include:
• Increasing participation in movement and physical activity
• Supporting underserved and inactive communities
• Strengthening organizational delivery capacity
• Promoting inclusive programme development
• Supporting health and wellbeing improvements
• Reducing inequalities in access to activities
• Supporting early intervention approaches
• Strengthening community engagement initiatives
• Improving long-term sustainability of activity programmes
Priority groups include:
• Rural communities experiencing isolation
• People with disabilities
• Women and girls
• Communities requiring early health intervention support
• Individuals at risk of anti-social behaviour and crime
Key Funding Categories
The programme supports three primary categories.
Sport and Physical Activity Sector
Supports sports clubs and similar organizations seeking to broaden participation beyond existing membership groups.
Activities may include:
• Expanding sports programmes
• Diversifying activity offerings
• Engaging new participant groups
Non-Sport Sector
Supports organizations introducing movement and physical activity into existing services.
Activities may include:
• Community wellbeing activities
• Integrated movement-based services
• New activity opportunities
Workforce Fund
Supports workforce development activities.
Activities may include:
• Staff training
• Volunteer upskilling
• Delivery capacity expansion
• Workforce development initiatives
Key Concepts Explained
Revenue funding refers to financial support covering operational project costs rather than physical infrastructure investments.
Match funding refers to financial or in-kind contributions provided by applicants in addition to grant funding.
In-kind contributions refer to non-cash support such as volunteer time, equipment, facilities, or services.
Inclusive participation means creating accessible opportunities that encourage involvement from diverse communities and groups.
Early intervention involves taking proactive measures to improve outcomes before challenges become more serious.
Funding Information
The programme provides flexible funding support based on project size.
Funding details include:
• Minimum funding amount: £3,000
• Maximum funding amount: £30,000
Funding arrangements include:
• Lower-value projects may receive full funding support
• Higher-value grants require increasing levels of match funding
• Match funding may include cash or approved in-kind contributions
Supported project costs may include:
• Staffing expenses
• Equipment costs
• Training activities
• Programme delivery expenses
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet organizational and governance requirements.
Eligible organizations include:
• Organizations with constitutions or articles of association
• Organizations based in York or North Yorkshire
• Organizations with evidence of active service delivery
• Partnership and consortium applications
• Eligible Community Interest Companies (CICs)
Applicants must also demonstrate:
• Safeguarding policies and procedures
• Financial history and management capacity
• Ability to meet match funding requirements
Community Interest Companies must additionally demonstrate:
• Financial sustainability beyond grant income
• A minimum of three unrelated directors
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme excludes certain applicants and activities.
Ineligible applications include:
• Individuals and sole traders
• Curriculum-based school projects
• School-based activities during curriculum hours
• Core organizational operating costs
• Consultancy fees
• Bid-writing expenses
• Retrospective costs
• Vehicle purchases
• Profit-driven activities
• Projects outside York and North Yorkshire
• Arts-focused projects where arts are the main outcome
• Horticulture-focused activities
• Projects better suited to alternative funding sources
Why This Opportunity Matters
Increasing access to physical activity can improve health outcomes and strengthen social inclusion within communities. Supporting organizations through operational funding can help create sustainable programmes that reach individuals who may otherwise have limited opportunities for participation.
Potential benefits include:
• Increased participation in physical activity
• Improved health and wellbeing outcomes
• Reduced social isolation
• Stronger inclusion and accessibility
• Increased community engagement
• Improved organizational sustainability
• Positive social outcomes for priority groups
What Applicants Need to Do
Organizations planning to apply should prepare proposals that demonstrate clear impact and sustainability.
Recommended actions include:
• Develop projects aligned with programme priorities
• Identify target groups and expected outcomes
• Secure required match funding support
• Prepare governance and financial documentation
• Demonstrate safeguarding practices
• Build collaborative partnerships where appropriate
• Present realistic implementation plans
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common issues that may affect proposal quality.
Common mistakes include:
• Applying without required match funding
• Providing weak evidence of community impact
• Including ineligible costs
• Missing safeguarding documentation
• Providing incomplete financial information
• Presenting unclear project goals
• Failing to demonstrate sustainability plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Revenue Open Fund?
The programme provides funding to organizations delivering new or expanded movement, sport, and physical activity initiatives.
How much funding can applicants request?
Organizations can request between £3,000 and £30,000.
Who can apply?
Organizations based in York or North Yorkshire with appropriate governance structures and active delivery experience may apply.
Can partnerships apply?
Yes. Partnership and consortium applications are encouraged.
Is match funding required?
Yes. Match funding requirements increase according to the grant size requested.
What costs can be funded?
Funding can support staffing, equipment, training, and programme delivery expenses.
Are school-based curriculum activities eligible?
No. Curriculum-based school activities are not eligible for support.
Conclusion
The Revenue Open Fund provides organizations with opportunities to expand movement, sport, and physical activity programmes that improve health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. Through targeted support for delivery costs and community engagement initiatives, the programme aims to create sustainable and inclusive outcomes across York and North Yorkshire.
For more information, visit North Yorkshire Sport.
