England and Wales Cricket Trust

Charity Number: 1112540

Annual Expenditure: £27.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £27,199,575 (year ending 31 January 2025)
  • Decision Time: Up to 30 working days after application submission
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £15,000 (Standard County Grants Fund); £1,000 - £50,000 (Enhanced Changing Facilities)
  • Loan Range: £1,000 - £50,000 (Interest-Free Loan Scheme)
  • Geographic Focus: Throughout England and Wales
  • Application Method: Rolling basis with scheduled panel meetings
  • Charity Number: 1112540

Contact Details

Website: https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/club-support/club-funding/

Email: nimet.nathani@ecb.co.uk

Phone: 020 7432 1200

Application Portal: https://ims.ecb.co.uk/

Pre-Application Support: Clubs should contact their local County Cricket Board (CCB) Club Development Officer (CDO) before applying to discuss projects and ensure eligibility.

Overview

The England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) was incorporated on 17 June 2005 as a company limited by guarantee and registered charity. Established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Trust exists to promote community participation in healthy recreation by providing facilities for playing cricket and to advance other charitable purposes recognised under English and Welsh law through cricket-related activities.

With annual expenditure exceeding £27 million and total income of £29 million, the EWCT is one of the UK's most substantial sport-focused grant-makers. The Trust's strategic approach focuses on supporting clubs actively engaged with women's cricket, girls' cricket, and/or disability cricket, aligned with the game's Inspiring Generations 2025-2028 vision to become the most inclusive team sport. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, ensuring all resources support grassroots cricket development.

Since the County Grants Fund's inception, the Trust has supported hundreds of clubs across England and Wales. For example, in Wiltshire alone since 2022, affiliated clubs have received £211,000 of investment across 33 different projects, while in Kent over three years, the CGF issued grant offers to more than 60 projects with a combined value exceeding £1,000,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

County Grants Fund (CGF): £1,000 - £15,000 per application (standard projects); up to £50,000 for Enhanced Changing Facilities projects over £30,000

The flagship grant programme operates on a rolling basis with scheduled panel meetings. Clubs may apply for up to one grant per ECB budget year. Applications typically accepted 1 February - 30 November annually, with all projects requiring completion by 31 January of the following year.

Interest-Free Loan Scheme: £1,000 - £50,000

  • Clubs with junior sections: up to £50,000
  • Clubs without junior sections: up to £20,000
  • Repayment period: up to five years
  • Applications through the Investment Management System on a rolling basis

Priority Areas

The County Grants Fund operates across two key themes, with all projects requiring clubs to be actively engaged with women's cricket, girls' cricket, and/or disability cricket:

1. Creating Welcoming Environments

Open to ECB-affiliated cricket clubs registered for All Stars or Dynamos, actively involved with competitive female cricket (minimum one female team with at least three competitive fixtures), and/or registered Disability Champion Cricket Clubs. Funded projects include:

  • Pavilion social spaces and patio areas
  • Digital point-of-sale equipment
  • Improved toilet facilities
  • Outdoor social spaces
  • WiFi improvements

2. Enhanced Facilities and Playing Opportunities for Women's, Girls', and Disability Cricket

Open to clubs actively engaged in competitive female-only cricket and/or disability cricket. Funded projects include:

  • New practice facilities and outdoor net facilities
  • Improved women's changing facilities (including major projects up to £50,000)
  • Replacement of aged practice facilities
  • Enhanced clubhouse facilities specifically for women and girls

Eligibility Requirements for County Grants Fund:

To be eligible, clubs must deliver cricket for at least one of these target groups:

  • Women's Cricket: A minimum of one women's team playing a minimum of three competitive soft ball or hard ball fixtures in league, friendly, indoor or outdoor cricket, as recorded on Play-Cricket.com
  • Girls' Only Cricket: A minimum of one girls' team playing a minimum of three competitive soft ball or hard ball fixtures in league, friendly, indoor or outdoor cricket
  • Disability Cricket: A registered Disability Champion Cricket Club or a registered host for the Disability Premier League

Interest-Free Loan Scheme Priorities:

  • Buildings: changing room development, clubhouse renovation, social areas, machinery stores, score boxes, parking, security systems
  • Equipment: machinery, covers, sightscreens, scoreboards, mobile net cages, perimeter fencing
  • Grounds: square and outfield work, drainage, irrigation, non-turf practice facilities and match play pitches
  • Land purchase for cricket purposes

What They Don't Fund

The EWCT requires that:

  • Projects must benefit the general community and not just a small group
  • Clubs must be ECB-affiliated
  • For County Grants Fund, clubs must be actively engaged with women's, girls', or disability cricket
  • Projects not aligned with the two strategic themes are unlikely to receive County Grants Fund support
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Governance and Leadership

The England and Wales Cricket Trust is governed by 8 trustees, though specific names are not publicly listed in recent filings. The Trust maintains strong governance principles with clear accountability:

  • No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
  • The Trust is incorporated with a Memorandum and Articles of Association (17 June 2005, amended 15 January 2020)
  • The England and Wales Cricket Board acts as a £1 guarantor and treats the Trust as a wholly-owned subsidiary for group accounts

The Trust's charitable expenditure has increased significantly over the past decade, with charitable payments over the period 2014-2024 increasing by over 200% compared to 150% for other non-charitable administrative expenses, demonstrating a clear commitment to maximising funds directed to cricket development.

How to Apply to England And Wales Cricket Trust

How to Apply

County Grants Fund - Two-Stage Process:

Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI)

  • Contact your local County Cricket Board Club Development Officer (CDO) before starting your application
  • Complete the EOI through the Investment Management System (IMS) at https://ims.ecb.co.uk/
  • County staff will provide feedback on EOIs within 10 working days
  • Submit EOI at least 2 weeks before the full application deadline to ensure sufficient time for Stage 2
  • Have project costs, partnership funding, and any planning requirements in place before completing the EOI

Stage 2: Full Application

  • If EOI is successful, complete the full application with supporting evidence
  • Submit through IMS before the round deadline

Interest-Free Loan Scheme:

  • Download and read the EWCT Interest-Free Loan Scheme guidance notes from the ECB website
  • Confirm eligibility and project suitability
  • Download, complete, and return the expression of interest form
  • Register and apply via https://ims.ecb.co.uk/

Application Timing

County Grants Fund:

Applications typically open on 1 February each year and close on 30 November. The fund operates with multiple panel meetings throughout the year to assess applications on a rolling basis. Specific round dates vary by year and county - clubs should contact their local County Cricket Board for current deadlines.

Interest-Free Loans: Available on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

  • County staff provide feedback on EOIs within 10 working days
  • Final grant offer decisions can take up to 30 working days after the full application is forwarded to the ECB
  • Projects must be completed and grants claimed by 31 January of the year following application

Success Rates

While specific success rate percentages are not published, applicants should be aware that:

  • Competition is significant: “Enquiries have been received for more than double the available budget” in some counties
  • Devon Cricket Foundation assisted 50 club projects to obtain grant funding exceeding £400,000 since 2021
  • In Wiltshire, 33 projects received £211,000 since 2022
  • In Kent, more than 60 projects received funding over three years with a combined value exceeding £1,000,000
  • The Trust explicitly states: “Not all applications will be successful even if all criteria set out above are met”

Reapplication Policy

  • Clubs may apply for up to one grant per ECB budget year (1 February - 31 January)
  • There is no explicit information about unsuccessful applicants reapplying in subsequent years
  • The rolling nature of the Interest-Free Loan Scheme suggests clubs can apply when timing is appropriate

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Guidance

The EWCT and County Cricket Boards provide clear guidance on what makes applications successful:

Essential Requirements (Application will be rejected without these):

  • A constitution, articles of association, or equivalent governing document
  • Valid buildings, contents, and public liability insurance
  • Security of tenure: leasehold, freehold, or rental (minimum one year)
  • A bank account in the club's name
  • Financial accounts from the last three years
  • Adoption of the ECB Safe Hands Policy
  • Adoption of the ECB Inclusion and Diversity Policy
  • Minimum 10% partnership funding - the Trust states “A club must as a minimum be putting 10% of the project cost in themselves or it will be rejected by our award panel”
  • Active engagement with women's, girls', or disability cricket (for County Grants Fund)

Critical Success Factors from County Boards:

As Cricket Yorkshire advises: “Writing funding bids is a particular skill” - successful applicants:

  • Clearly define outcomes and demonstrate realistic impact - avoid vague language; provide specific, measurable outcomes
  • Ensure costs align with project scope - budgets must be realistic and well-researched
  • Match delivery timelines to ECB funding cycles - projects must be completable by 31 January deadline

From Lancashire Cricket Foundation:

  • Provide specific, measurable outcomes - the Trust wants to see exactly how your project will benefit the community
  • Include your Club Development Plan - demonstrates strategic thinking
  • Gather strong supporting evidence - quotes, contractor estimates, community need assessments
  • Set realistic budgets and contractor timelines
  • Collaborate with club members on the application - shows buy-in and sustainability

Pre-Application Consultation is Critical:

Multiple sources emphasise: “Contact your Cricket Development Officer before applying” and “arrange a club visit with your Club Development Officer to discuss your potential project before beginning an Expression of Interest.” The Trust values this consultation and it significantly improves application quality.

Timing Advice:

  • Submit EOIs at least 2 weeks before full application deadlines
  • Don't rush: “While timing matters, moving too quickly produces weaker applications. Balance urgency with thorough preparation”
  • However, don't delay too long: as one advisor warns, “that boat will have sailed”

Partnership Funding:

“Partnership funding is welcomed and may positively influence the grant decision.” Clubs demonstrating higher than the 10% minimum show strong commitment.

Demonstrating Community Benefit:

For the Interest-Free Loan Scheme specifically: “All scheme applicants must demonstrate that funds will be used to benefit the general community and not just a small group.” This reflects the Trust's charitable mission.

Examples of Successful Projects

Creating Welcoming Environments:

  • Shapwick and Polden Cricket Club (Somerset): Funded a new patio to create a welcoming environment for club members
  • Clumber Park CC: Received funding for a pavilion facelift

Women's and Girls' Cricket:

  • Long Sutton Cricket Club (Somerset): Replaced 25-year-old practice facility to provide a safer practice area for their growing women and girls' section
  • Wells Cricket Club (Somerset): New outdoor net facility to help continue growing their girls' and women's offering

Mixed Projects:

  • Pavilion social spaces
  • Digital point-of-sale equipment
  • Outdoor net facilities
  • Improved toilet facilities
  • Outdoor social spaces
  • WiFi improvements
  • Improved women's changing facilities
  • Catering equipment upgrades
  • Replacement of non-turf pitches

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application consultation is non-negotiable - Contact your County Cricket Board Club Development Officer before starting any application. This is repeatedly emphasised and significantly improves success rates.
  • Active engagement with target groups is essential - The County Grants Fund now focuses exclusively on clubs actively engaged with women's, girls', or disability cricket. You must demonstrate genuine engagement, not just intention to engage.
  • Partnership funding matters - While 10% is the minimum, higher contributions “may positively influence the grant decision.” Demonstrate financial commitment to your project.
  • Competition is fierce - Some counties receive enquiries for more than double the available budget. As Cricket Yorkshire states: “competition for cricket grants in 2025 is going to be fierce” - applicants must “give it everything.”
  • Specific, measurable outcomes win - Avoid vague promises. The Trust wants to see exactly how your project will create impact with clear metrics and evidence.
  • Time your application strategically - Submit EOIs at least 2 weeks before full application deadlines, but don't wait too long as budgets are limited and allocated through scheduled panel meetings.
  • Community benefit is essential - Particularly for loans, demonstrate how your project benefits the wider community, not just club members. This aligns with the Trust's charitable mission.
  • Interest-Free Loans offer substantial support - Up to £50,000 interest-free over five years is a significant benefit for larger capital projects. Don't overlook this option if grant funding isn't sufficient.

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