EFL in the Community

Registered charity 1132689 · since 2009eflinthecommunity.com·England, Wales·Updated 31 October 2026

At a glance

£11.7M

Annual giving, year to 30 June 2025

From filed accounts

Open to applications

Rolling, no deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

EFL in the Community's work fits best where a project sits within its themes of health and wellbeing, raising aspirations, stronger communities, and education and employability, particularly where it links to education and employability, healthier lifestyles or inclusive community participation.
It gives priority to England and Wales, and its funding goes mainly to Football Club charities in its network, so an organisation outside that network should expect its request to be considered on a risk-based approach and should comply with the code before any funding is released.
The grant range is not stated, so it is wise to ask the funder's management what size of request it would consider before writing a full proposal.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are decided case by case, so there is no deadline to plan around, though the annual report's figure of £11,691,610 in annual giving is not confirmed by the register.

Overview

EFL in the Community is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1132689).

EFL in the Community is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales that supports Football Club charities in its network. Its core purpose is to support those Football Club charities in helping it achieve its collective vision, and it aims to secure programmes for them that deliver significant impact in their communities. Its objects include promoting physical education and community participation in football and sports capable of improving physical health. Its annual report gives annual giving of £11,691,610.

What they fund

Priority Areas

EFL in the Community supports Football Club charities in its network, building their capacity and capability and securing programmes for them to deliver in their communities. Its funding and donations go to Club charities and other third-sector organisations; potential delivery partners outside the Football Club charity network are included on a risk-based approach. Its initiatives focus on improving health and wellbeing, raising aspirations and realising potential, and building stronger, more cohesive communities. Across its network it works in education and employability, healthier lifestyles and inclusive community participation. It describes its approach as tailored support and development for Club charities, with potential delivery partners required to comply with its code before funding is released.

Themes

Health and wellbeing
Raising aspirations
Stronger communities
Education and employability

Geographic Focus

Priority: England; Wales.

How to apply

Applicants apply to management, which awards funding and donations case by case. Applications are accepted when they meet the required criteria.

Application success factors

What the charity says:

Potential delivery partners must comply with the code before funding is released; partners outside the Football Club charity network are considered on a risk-based approach.
Funding to the network of Football Club charities is subject to rigorous checks against the Capability Code of Practice and organisational standards.

Where they fund

Where it says it funds

Similar funders

Funders supporting work similar to EFL in the Community.

Premier League FoundationInvitation onlyGave £34.6M The National League TrustInvitation onlyGave £1.1M The Conway Charitable FoundationNo public processGave £134k English Schools' Football AssociationInvitation only Samworth Brothers Community Opportunity FundFixed deadlinesGave £723k Michael Carrick FoundationRollingGave £70,942 The Equilibrium FoundationFixed deadlinesGave £211k Staffordshire Winter Sports ClubNo public process Football FoundationRollingGave £106M Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and WalesMixed deadlinesGave £20.1M

Five years of accounts

Financial year	Income	Expenditure	Grants paid	Accounts document
year to 30 June 2021	£21,731,200	£20,137,725	—	Accounts for year to 30 June 2021
year to 30 June 2022	£25,986,334	£25,116,811	£20,883,033	Accounts for year to 30 June 2022
year to 30 June 2023	£12,322,102	£13,043,408	—	Accounts for year to 30 June 2023
year to 30 June 2024	£12,856,659	£13,353,644	—	Accounts for year to 30 June 2024
year to 30 June 2025	£15,727,693	£15,812,385	£11,691,610	Accounts for year to 30 June 2025

Income vs grants paid

IncomeGrants paid

Total value each financial year

YE 2022

£20.9M grants

YE 2025

£11.7M grants

Grants paid stayed within income across the 2 years shown.

Grants paid, year to 30 June 2022: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
Grants paid, year to 30 June 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.

— No grants figure for those years.

Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.