Deadline: 26-May-2026
The Capital Open Fund under the Movement, Activity and Sport Fund is a capital grant programme supporting organizations in York and North Yorkshire to expand access to movement, sport, and physical activity opportunities. The initiative prioritizes underserved and inactive communities by funding infrastructure development, workforce strengthening, and inclusive programmes that improve long-term community health and participation.
Program Overview
The Capital Open Fund has been established to improve participation in movement, sport, and physical activity across York and North Yorkshire. The programme supports organizations seeking to expand services, strengthen infrastructure, and create more inclusive opportunities for people who may face barriers to participation.
The initiative particularly focuses on communities affected by inactivity and social challenges. Through investment in facilities, workforce development, and programme delivery, the fund aims to increase community wellbeing and strengthen long-term access to physical activity opportunities.
Focus Areas and Program Objectives
The programme supports several sectors and strategic priorities.
Key objectives include:
• Expanding participation in sport and physical activity
• Supporting underserved and inactive communities
• Diversifying participation beyond existing membership groups
• Strengthening infrastructure and service delivery
• Supporting workforce development and capacity-building
• Increasing community health and wellbeing
• Supporting early intervention and prevention initiatives
• Improving social inclusion and community engagement
• Strengthening long-term access to physical activity opportunities
Priority focus 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 provides support across three major funding areas.
Sport and Physical Activity Sector
Supports organizations such as sports clubs seeking to increase participation and engage new audiences beyond existing membership.
Activities may include:
• Expanding sport opportunities
• Reaching new participant groups
• Diversifying community engagement
Non-Sport Sector
Supports organizations introducing movement and physical activity elements into their existing services.
Activities may include:
• Community wellbeing initiatives
• Physical activity programmes integrated into services
• New movement-based opportunities
Workforce Fund
Supports the development of staff and volunteers to improve delivery capacity.
Activities may include:
• Training initiatives
• Skills development
• Volunteer and staff upskilling
Key Concepts Explained
Capital grants are funding awards intended for long-term investments such as facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and physical improvements.
Match funding refers to contributions provided by applicants or partner organizations alongside grant funding.
Inclusive participation refers to creating opportunities that are accessible to people regardless of background, location, or circumstances.
Workforce development involves improving skills and capabilities among staff and volunteers to strengthen service delivery.
Early intervention refers to addressing challenges before they become more severe, particularly in areas such as health and social issues.
Funding Information
Funding is available for capital development activities under defined grant levels.
Funding details include:
• Minimum funding request: £5,000
• Maximum funding request: £49,999
Funding requirements vary according to project size.
Funding structure includes:
• Smaller projects may receive full funding support
• Larger projects require increasing levels of match funding contributions
• In-kind contributions may be accepted subject to risk management requirements
Who is Eligible?
Organizations applying for support must satisfy programme requirements.
Eligible applicants include:
• Organizations with governing documents such as constitutions or articles of association
• Organizations based in York or North Yorkshire
• Organizations actively delivering services in the region
• Partnership or consortium applications
Applicants must also demonstrate:
• Safeguarding policies and procedures
• Financial history and management capacity
• Ability to provide required match funding
• Secure premises tenure for between five and ten years depending on grant size
Additional Requirements for Capital Projects
Capital development proposals may require additional supporting documentation.
Requirements may include:
• Planning permission considerations
• Formal quotations
• Technical plans and specifications
• Risk management documentation for in-kind contributions
• Governance review for successful unincorporated organizations where necessary
Who is Not Eligible?
The programme excludes certain activities and project types.
Ineligible activities include:
• Projects outside York and North Yorkshire
• Profit-driven initiatives
• Curriculum-based school activities
• Consultancy fees
• Core organizational operating costs
• Vehicle purchases
• Retrospective project expenses
• Arts-led projects where art production is the primary outcome
• Projects without required match funding
• Projects better suited for alternative funding mechanisms
Why This Opportunity Matters
Access to physical activity and sport can significantly improve community wellbeing, social inclusion, and long-term health outcomes. Strengthening infrastructure and workforce capacity can help organizations reach more people and reduce barriers to participation.
Potential benefits include:
• Increased physical activity participation
• Improved community health outcomes
• Stronger inclusion and accessibility
• Reduced social isolation
• Enhanced youth engagement
• Positive interventions supporting crime prevention
• Sustainable community infrastructure development
What Applicants Need to Do
Organizations interested in applying should prepare well-structured proposals.
Recommended actions include:
• Develop a project aligned with programme priorities
• Identify target communities and expected impact
• Secure required match funding contributions
• Gather supporting financial and governance documents
• Prepare technical plans where relevant
• Demonstrate safeguarding and risk management procedures
• Build partnerships where appropriate
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid issues that may weaken proposals.
Common mistakes include:
• Applying without required match funding
• Failing to demonstrate community impact
• Providing incomplete governance information
• Missing planning or technical requirements
• Including ineligible project costs
• Weak risk management approaches
• Limited evidence of local delivery experience
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the Capital Open Fund?
The programme supports projects that increase access to movement, sport, and physical activity opportunities in York and North Yorkshire.
How much funding can organizations request?
Applicants can request between £5,000 and £49,999.
Who can apply?
Organizations based in York or North Yorkshire with appropriate governance structures and active delivery experience may apply.
Is match funding required?
Yes. Match funding requirements increase depending on the size of the project.
Can partnerships apply?
Yes. Collaborative applications involving partnerships or consortiums are encouraged.
Are infrastructure projects eligible?
Yes. Capital developments, facility upgrades, and related infrastructure projects may be supported.
Can schools apply for curriculum-based activities?
No. Curriculum-based school activities are excluded from funding.
Conclusion
The Capital Open Fund provides an opportunity for organizations in York and North Yorkshire to strengthen physical activity infrastructure and increase community participation. Through support for facilities, workforce development, and inclusive programmes, the initiative aims to improve health, social inclusion, and long-term community wellbeing.
For more information, visit North Yorkshire Sport.
