Beyond Sport Foundation

Charity Number: 1130439

Annual Expenditure: £2.4M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,366,990 (2023)
  • Total Grants Distributed: $14.8 million+ (since 2008)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $150,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: International (81 countries)

Contact Details

  • Website: www.beyondsport.org
  • Email: info@beyondsport.org
  • Phone: 020 7240 7700
  • Application Portal: beyondsport.smapply.io
  • Program Inquiries: programs@beyondsport.org
  • Partnership Inquiries: Fred Turner, Executive Director - fturner@beyondsport.org

Overview

Founded in 2008 by Nick Keller, Beyond Sport Foundation (UK Charity 1130439) is a global foundation that uses sport as a catalyst for social change. Since its inception, Beyond Sport has raised more than $25.7 million and distributed over $14.8 million in grants to organizations across 81 countries and 58 sports tackling critical social issues aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The foundation's approach goes beyond traditional grant-making by providing ongoing capacity-building support, strategic collaboration, learning opportunities, and connections to help organizations innovate and grow. In 2023, the charity reported total income of £2,641,411 with £2,475,085 spent entirely on charitable activities, operating both nationally and internationally with 6 employees and 7 trustees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Futures in Motion (Australia, Poland, Japan - expanding to 4 more countries by 2027)

  • Amount: $40,000-$50,000 USD annually for up to 3 years (maximum $150,000 over 3 years)
  • Focus: Addressing physical inactivity and strengthening Positive Youth Development for children and young people
  • Application: Rolling applications through online portal
  • Australia Deadline: May 2, 2025
  • Poland: Expressions of interest September 3-30, 2025

Olympism365 Innovation Hub (partnership with IOC and Women Win)

  • Total Investment: $1.2 million across multiple funding streams
  • Target: 50 grantees by 2026
  • Funding Streams:
  • Grassroots365: For local groups/individuals with annual income <$150,000
  • Ignite365 Awards: $10,000 grants plus training and networking
  • Collective365: $470,000+ distributed for collaborative cross-sector projects
  • Tech365: Up to $40,000 for emerging technology innovations
  • Enterprise365: Support for social enterprises with sustainable finance models
  • Application: Bi-yearly application cycles

Sport Together Fund (partnership with New Balance Foundation & UNHCR)

  • Amount: Grants plus capacity-building support
  • Total Distributed: $200,000+ to 14 organizations since 2022
  • Focus: Supporting refugee/displaced populations, asylum seekers, vulnerable communities
  • Geographic Focus: France, Germany, Netherlands (recent cycle)
  • Application: Contact Executive Director for partnership opportunities

Beyond Sport Global Awards

  • Amount: $15,000-$25,000 for general award winners
  • Collective Impact Awards: $275,000 plus business support package for 4 organizations working together over one year
  • Application: No cost to enter; comprehensive judging process

Return to Play Fund (partnership with ESPN)

  • Focus: Addressing disparities for Black and Brown communities post-COVID-19
  • Purpose: Supporting sport-based youth development organizations getting young people of color moving again

Priority Areas

Beyond Sport's funding aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on:

  • Health and Well-being (SDG #3)
  • Gender Equality (SDG #5)
  • Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG #8)
  • Innovation and Technology (SDG #9)
  • Reduced Inequalities (SDG #10)
  • Peace and Social Justice
  • Racial Equity and Justice
  • Environmental Protection (Life Below Water - SDG #14)
  • Youth development and education
  • Refugee and displaced populations
  • Physical inactivity prevention

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, Beyond Sport requires:

  • Projects must be operational for more than 24 months (unless specified otherwise in program criteria)
  • Organizations must provide financial records
  • Projects must use sport as a primary tool for social change (not just monetary investment in a cause)
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Governance and Leadership

Founder & Board Chair: Nick Keller founded Beyond Sport in 2008, driven by his belief in "sport's universal power to do good and tackle some of the most complex issues of our time.“ He has stated: ”Beyond Sport has always been based on the simple notion that sport has the ability to change people's lives, strengthen communities and drive forward a progressive society."

Key Leadership Perspectives:

  • Nick Keller: "I spotted a gap in the market and it seemed like a natural time to do something special. I'd like to think that if we say we're going to do something, we go and do it."
  • On athlete influence: “It is clear that many athletes are not only compelled to make a difference in the world, but also that they have a powerful voice and influence to make a positive difference.”

Board of Directors (non-remunerated trustees):

  • Jean - Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager for The New York Yankees, one of only three women to hold an Assistant GM position in MLB history
  • Lex (Alexandra Chalat) - Director of Community Engagement and World Cup Legacy for Qatar Foundation, with Beyond Sport since inception
  • David - International sports and entertainment lawyer with 30 years' experience, working with Beyond Sport for over a decade
  • John - Executive Vice Chairman for DAZN Group

Team Structure: 7 trustees, 6 employees (one earning £90,000-£100,000), with no trustees receiving remuneration

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Select a Program: Visit beyondsport.smapply.io to view live programs
  2. Online Application: All applications must be submitted through the online portal
  3. Stage 1 Application Form: Complete the online form with required documentation
  4. Video Applications: Guidelines available for preparing video submissions
  5. Child Protection Policy: All shortlisted entries must have a Child Protection policy in place

Application Portal: beyondsport.smapply.io

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Projects operational for 24+ months (unless program specifies otherwise)
  • Financial records required
  • Organizational registration document (certificate, charter, or constitution)
  • Child protection/safeguarding policy required for shortlisted applicants

Decision Timeline

  • Global Awards: Comprehensive audited judging process; applicants should allow significant time to complete entry forms
  • Due Diligence: Successful applicants undergo further inquiry at trustees' discretion
  • Funding Agreements: Not issued until trustee approval completed
  • Timeline varies by program; check specific program pages for details

Success Rates

  • Ignite365 Awards: More than 200 applications from 86 countries received
  • Specific success rates not publicly disclosed
  • Beyond Sport emphasizes that once submitted, organizations become part of the Beyond Sport Network

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not explicitly stated in public materials. Contact programs@beyondsport.org for guidance on unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Beyond Sport's Five Basic Principles

All applications are judged on these core principles:

  1. Model: Structure in place that uses sport as a primary tool to drive positive social transformation
  2. Impact: Lives significantly changed through demonstrable, long-term benefits
  3. Sustainability: Sound plan for financial and structural sustainability
  4. Innovate: Innovation in approach, methodology, or application
  5. Share: Practical insights/programmatic elements can be shared with others; organization is willing and active collaborator

What Judges Look For

  • Use of sport in programs/campaigns addressing social issues
  • Going beyond monetary investment to demonstrate broader, creative use of assets (e.g., employee engagement)
  • Alignment with strategic objectives and UN SDGs
  • Evidence of partnerships with relevant practitioners/organizations
  • Strong inclusive strategy when engaging participants (gender, race, ethnicity, disability, economic background)
  • Well-supported evidence of change through monitoring and evaluation structure
  • Community engagement efforts actively contributing to overall objectives
  • Can be ongoing programs or one-off projects - key is using sport to address social issues

Examples of Successful Projects

Recent Grantees Include:

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago - Using sport to positively impact Black and Brown communities
  • Heart of Los Angeles - Sport-based youth development
  • Inter Tribal Sports - Community engagement through sport
  • Kabubu (France) - Promoting inclusion of exiled people through sport, breaking down prejudices
  • TERRES EN MÊLÉES (Madagascar) - Using rugby to combat gender discrimination and prevent violence against women
  • Basketball Health Corps, Shooting Touch (Rwanda) - Health and sport programming
  • Foundation 92 (Manchester) - Improving lives through sport and education, ages 3-101
  • HYPE Merseyside (Liverpool) - Creating opportunities for disadvantaged youth

Strategic Advice

  • Child Protection is Essential: Insufficient child protection evidence can result in removal from shortlist
  • Emphasize M&E: Monitoring and evaluation structures viewed favorably by judges
  • Show Collaboration: Being a willing and active collaborator is a core principle
  • Demonstrate Long-term Impact: Show how lives have been significantly changed with demonstrable, long-term benefits
  • Align with SDGs: Clearly connect your work to UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Join the Network: Submission makes you part of the Beyond Sport Network, providing access to learning and collaboration opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Sport as Primary Tool: Your project must use sport as the primary mechanism for social change, not just as a supplementary activity or branding exercise
  2. Evidence-Based Impact: Strong monitoring and evaluation systems are critical - judges want to see demonstrable, long-term impact with evidence of change
  3. Sustainability Planning: You must demonstrate financial and structural sustainability beyond the grant period
  4. Collaboration Mindset: Beyond Sport values organizations willing to share learnings and collaborate across the sector - highlight your networks and partnership approach
  5. Align with SDGs: Explicitly connect your work to specific UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 3, 5, 8, 9, and 10
  6. Child Protection Non-Negotiable: Ensure your child protection policy is robust and well-documented before applying; this can disqualify otherwise strong applications
  7. Beyond the Money: Beyond Sport offers capacity-building, strategic support, and networking - emphasize your readiness to engage with these opportunities, not just funding
  8. Allow Adequate Time: The judging process is comprehensive and audited; start applications early and ensure all documentation is complete

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