Living Cheer club resources
Funding for UK Cheerleading Clubs
A practical guide to grants and other funding that could help you set up, run or expand a local cheerleading club.
Start here
Can your cheerleading club apply?
Most grants are for not-for-profit organisations
Many funders will not award money to a privately owned, profit-distributing cheer gym. A club will normally need to be a properly constituted not-for-profit club, charity, CIO, CIC or Community Amateur Sports Club.
If the club is commercially operated, it may be able to work with a school, charity, community centre or youth organisation on a genuine, separately managed community programme.
Sport England recognition and affiliation
Cheerleading is recognised by Sport England, with SportCheer England listed as its recognised governing body. Sport England classifies cheerleading as a higher-risk sport, so affiliation to SportCheer England will normally be required for Sport England funding.
Check the recognised governing bodies list →Best places to begin
Main cheerleading club funding opportunities
These are the strongest starting points for a new or growing community cheerleading club. Check the location and eligibility rules carefully.
Sport England Movement Fund
For new sessions, equipment, venue hire, coaching and projects helping more people become active.
Best for: launching an affordable beginner programme or removing participation barriers.
Visit the Movement Fund →National Lottery Awards for All England
Supports community activities, stronger relationships, improved spaces and projects helping people reach their potential.
Best for: start-up delivery costs, community sessions and inclusion work.
View the England fund →National Lottery Awards for All Wales
Supports projects that bring people together, strengthen communities and help people fulfil their potential.
Best for: community-led cheerleading and youth projects.
View the Wales fund →National Lottery Awards for All Scotland
Sports projects can seek support for community activities, one-off events and work helping Scottish communities thrive.
Best for: a new local club, equipment and participation programmes.
View the Scotland fund →National Lottery Awards for All Northern Ireland
Supports projects bringing communities together, improving local places and helping people reach their potential.
Best for: inclusive local cheerleading and youth development.
View the Northern Ireland fund →Be Active Wales Fund
Can support equipment, qualifications, venue hire for new teams and some facility improvements. A contribution is normally required.
Best for: starting a team or expanding participation in Wales.
Visit Be Active Wales →Sport NI Creating Opportunities
Supports inclusive participation projects through community crowdfunding and match funding.
Best for: clubs with an engaged local supporter base.
Visit Creating Opportunities →Cash4Clubs
Flexible funding for venue hire, equipment, kit, coaching, qualifications, expenses, insurance, affiliation and marketing.
Best for: practical costs that other grants may exclude.
Visit Cash4Clubs →Boost Charitable Trust
Funds smaller not-for-profit sports initiatives addressing disability or disadvantage, including some start-up projects.
Best for: inclusion programmes and subsidised participation.
View Boost applications →Smaller awards and support
Corporate and supermarket funding
These programmes often operate in rounds or through local nominations. Check them regularly and speak to the community representative at your nearest branch.
Asda Foundation
Funding for grassroots community organisations, including periodic programmes supporting young people, community spaces and active lives.
Approach: Check the current open grants and speak to the Community Champion at your nearest Asda store.
Visit Asda Foundation →Arnold Clark Community Fund
Community Support is currently open. The separate Gear Up For Sport programme periodically provides kit and equipment for youth teams.
Approach: Applicants must normally be located within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.
Visit Arnold Clark →Persimmon Community Champions
Persimmon’s regional offices make quarterly donations to local organisations, including sports clubs. Smaller donations are also available.
Approach: Explain the amount required, the club’s location and the direct local benefit.
Apply to Persimmon →Co-op Local Community Fund
Supports local causes that bring communities together, improve wellbeing or provide access to opportunities.
Approach: Check whether applications for the next round of local causes are open.
Visit the Co-op fund →Tesco community programmes
Tesco’s current grant focus can change. Its 2026 Fruit & Veg grants support eligible organisations improving young people’s access to healthy food rather than general sports costs.
Approach: Check the live programme before applying and only apply where the club’s proposed activity meets its current purpose.
Check Tesco’s current grants →Local employers and businesses
Local businesses may support uniforms, equipment, participant bursaries, events or individual teams.
Approach: Provide a short sponsorship proposal showing the community impact and appropriate recognition available.
Ask Living Cheer for kit information →Targeted programmes
Youth, disability and inclusion funding
BBC Children in Need
Core and project funding of £1,000–£40,000 per year for work supporting disadvantaged children aged 18 or under. A normal competitive squad is unlikely to qualify without a strong social purpose.
BlueSpark Foundation
Supports sporting equipment, training and competition opportunities that develop young people’s confidence, teamwork and skills.
Jack Petchey Foundation
Grants and recognition programmes for youth organisations working with 11–25-year-olds in London and Essex.
Other targeted routes
Investigate the True Colours Trust, Variety, local disability and mental-health funds, community-safety grants and Police and Crime Commissioner youth programmes.
Premises and capital work
Funding for gyms and community facilities
Facility grants normally require the applicant to own the building or hold a sufficiently long lease. They are usually more suitable for a community facility than a privately owned commercial gym.
Biffa Award — £10,000–£75,000
Other landfill community funds
Morrisons Foundation — up to £20,000
B&Q and Screwfix foundations
sportscotland Sport Facilities Fund
Local capital funding
Do not overlook these
Local and regional funding
- Local authority community grants
- Council sports-development funding
- Councillor and ward-budget grants
- Town, parish and community councils
- Local youth-service grants
- Holiday activity programme contracts
- Public-health funds
- Police and Crime Commissioner youth funds
- Community foundations
- Active Partnerships in England
- Leisure trusts and Community Sports Hubs
- Housing association grants
- Windfarm and renewable-energy funds
- Airport, port and utility funds
- Mayoral and regeneration funds
- University and student-union funding
Beyond grant applications
Fundraising and match funding
Sport England, Sport Wales and Sport NI may use crowdfunding or match-funding routes. Set a realistic target, prepare rewards and identify supporters before launching a campaign.
Get application-ready
Cheerleading club funding checklist
Recommended first steps
Where should a new club apply first?
- Your home-nation sports fundSport England, Sport Wales, sportscotland or Sport NI.
- National Lottery Awards for AllBuild the application around community need and measurable benefit.
- Your local community foundationSearch by postcode for smaller trusts and local funds.
- Your council or Active PartnershipAsk about community, youth and participation grants.
- Cash4Clubs and local sponsorsSeek flexible support for kit, venue hire and qualifications.
Frequently asked questions
Cheerleading club funding FAQs
Can a new cheerleading club apply for a grant?
Yes. Several programmes consider start-up projects, but the club will normally need a constitution, committee, organisational bank account, safeguarding arrangements and a clear not-for-profit purpose.
Can funding pay for cheerleading equipment?
Some grants can cover mats, training equipment, uniforms or loan kit, particularly where the purchase allows more people to participate. Check excluded costs before applying or ordering anything.
Can a commercial cheer gym receive community funding?
Most community grants do not fund profit-distributing businesses. A commercial gym may be able to partner with an eligible not-for-profit organisation on a genuine community project.
What makes an application stronger?
Identify a specific group currently missing out, explain the barriers they face, show evidence of demand, provide a realistic budget and describe measurable outcomes.
