Team Forces Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,000,000+
• Total Donated Since 2011: £9,000,000+
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Grants typically made May/June or December/January
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by application)
• Geographic Focus: UK Armed Forces Community (national/international deployments)

Contact Details

• Website: https://teamforces.org
• Email: enquiries@teamforces.org (general) / info@teamarmy.org
• Phone: 07376377433
• Application Portal: Online Google Form via website
• Registered Address: Lime Cottage, Tisbury Row, Salisbury, SP3 6RZ
• Charity Number: 1144004
• Company Number: 07773783

Overview

Team Forces Foundation was established in 2011 after identifying inefficiencies in military sports sponsorship. The registered charity raises funds to deliver social impact across the armed forces community through the power of sport, challenge, and adventure. Since launch, Team Forces has donated over £9 million to the armed forces community and currently distributes approximately £1 million annually. The organization operates through two entities: Team Forces Foundation (the public-facing charity) and Team Forces Funding Limited (a not-for-profit trading company that provides the principal source of funds). Originally known as Team Ethos/Team Army, the organization rebranded as Team Forces in 2022. The Foundation is endorsed by the Ministry of Defence and serves as the Official Fundraising Partner of Invictus UK. The charity focuses on improving health, wellbeing, and recovery while promoting excellence, equality, and inclusion across all service branches and veteran communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Team Forces Foundation makes grants supporting Forces sport, challenge, and adventure across the armed forces community. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with most awards made in May/June or December/January to align with the financial year and trustees' meetings.

Eligible Recipients:

• Serving military personnel (all branches)
• Reservists
• Veterans
• Some dependent groups (considered on merit)

Current Restrictions:

• Applications restricted to sports associations and unions recognised by the Ministry of Defence
• Disabled/adaptive sports programs
• Military expeditions and challenges
• Generally do not fund routine unit expeditions (exceptions for extraordinary expeditions with strong unique selling propositions)

Application Method: Rolling basis via online Google Form

Priority Areas

Physical Activities with Wider Benefits - the Foundation particularly welcomes applications where sport serves a greater purpose:

• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Inspiration and role modeling
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Levelling up opportunities where inequality exists
• Recovery and rehabilitation for wounded, injured, or sick service members

Types of Activities Funded:

• Major and minor sports (MoD-recognised associations)
• Grassroots sporting activities
• Disabled and adaptive sports
• Individual athlete support
• Military expeditions and adventurous training
• Polar expeditions and extreme challenges
• Rowing (including ocean crossings and regattas)
• Climbing and mountaineering
• Veterans' action groups and team challenges

Strategic Focus:

At least 15% of grants benefit good causes, particularly disability sport and related activities.

What They Don't Fund

• Routine unit expeditions (unless extraordinary with strong unique selling proposition)
• Activities outside the armed forces community
• Projects not related to sport, challenge, or adventure
• Applications from individuals or organizations not connected to military service

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees:

Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CBE (appointed 2024). Commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1999, she served in various engineering units with operational deployments to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. She commanded from platoon to brigade level and was awarded a CBE for her work supporting the national Covid response.

Chief Executive:

Major General Lamont Kirkland CBE (led the initiative since 2011). Maj Gen Kirkland stated: “Sport is an integral feature of military life” and is critical to “morale, motivation and well-being.”

Board Structure:

The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees comprising senior serving officers and senior industrialists, each with broad knowledge of forces activities and the challenges they face. The board is a mix of serving and recently retired senior officers, along with representatives from industry.

Trustee Remuneration:

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Application Method: Submit applications via online Google Form accessible through the Team Forces website (https://teamforces.org/grant-application/)
2. Rolling Basis: Applications accepted at any time
3. No Pre-Application Contact Required: Direct submission through online portal

Key Application Requirements:

• Explain how the activity serves a “higher purpose” beyond the physical activity itself
• Demonstrate connection to armed forces community
• Show how the project delivers wider benefits (mental health, inspiration, diversity, etc.)

Decision Timeline

• Grant Award Periods: Most grants made in May/June or December/January
• Timeline Note: Award timing aligns with Team Forces financial year and trustees' meetings, though this is not a rigid rule
• Application Frequency: No set limit on grant frequency, but unlikely to receive more than one grant per year
• Notification Method: Not publicly specified

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed by Team Forces Foundation. However, applications are considered on individual merits, and the Foundation notes that applications are “particularly successful” when physical activity serves a wider purpose aligned with their strategic priorities.

Reapplication Policy

Post-Grant Requirements:

All grant beneficiaries are expected to write a brief report detailing how funds were spent and the benefits that resulted. Additional grants cannot be made without this key feedback.

Reapplication:

• Can apply for multiple grants over time
• Unlikely to receive more than one grant per year
• Must complete post-grant report before being eligible for future funding
• No explicit restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Specific Advice from the Funder

Direct Guidance:

“Charitable grant applications are especially well-received when the proposed physical activity delivers wider benefits.”

Higher Purpose Statement:

The Foundation recommends explaining how the activity serves a “higher purpose” - demonstrating impact beyond the immediate sporting activity.

Recently Funded Projects (Examples)

• Craig Wood: World's first triple amputee to sail solo, non-stop, and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean
• Hari Budha Magar: Mountain climbing expeditions
• Veterans in Action VE-80 Overland Expedition: Group expedition project
• UK Armed Forces Rowing: Support for Henley Royal Regatta participation
• Atlantic Rocks (Cpl Gary Binns): 61-day solo Atlantic rowing crossing
• Polar expeditions: Including Polar Preet's Antarctic trek
• Disabled/adaptive climbing and mountaineering: Residential progressive courses for wounded, injured, and sick veterans

Standing Out - Key Themes

Use Foundation Language:

• “Higher purpose”
• “Morale, motivation and well-being”
• “Recovery and rehabilitation”
• “Levelling up”
• “Extraordinary endeavour”

Demonstrate Social Impact:

• Mental health benefits
• Inspiring others
• Overcoming disability
• Building confidence and resilience
• Community building within armed forces

Align with Strategic Priorities:

• Diversity and inclusion
• Equality of opportunity
• Support for wounded, injured, or sick personnel
• Innovation in adaptive sports

What Makes Applications Unsuccessful

While specific rejection reasons are not published, applications are less likely to succeed if they:

• Represent routine unit expeditions without unique elements
• Fail to demonstrate wider benefits beyond the activity itself
• Do not connect to armed forces community
• Lack detail on social impact or “higher purpose”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize Social Impact: Frame applications around mental health, wellbeing, inspiration, diversity, or levelling up - not just the sporting activity itself
• Rolling Applications: Submit when ready, but be aware most decisions made in May/June or December/January
• Broad Eligibility: Serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and some dependents all eligible - don't self-exclude
• Complete Post-Grant Reports: Essential for future funding eligibility and demonstrates accountability
• Highlight Extraordinary Elements: For expeditions, emphasize what makes your project exceptional rather than routine
• MoD Recognition Matters: Ensure sports associations/unions are MoD-recognised, or focus on adaptive/disability sports or military expeditions
• Disability Sport Priority: At least 15% of grants benefit disability sport - these applications are strategically prioritized

References

1. Team Forces Foundation - Charity Commission Register. Charity Number 1144004. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5022445

1. Team Forces Foundation - Funding Application Page. https://teamforces.org/grant-application/

1. Team Forces Foundation - About Page. https://teamforces.org/about/

1. Team Forces Foundation - What We Do. https://teamforces.org/what-we-do/

1. Team Forces Foundation - New Chair of Trustees Announcement. https://teamforces.org/2024/11/25/new-chair-of-trustees-2024/

1. Ethos VO - Team Forces Project Page. https://www.ethosvo.org/project/team-forces/

1. Cobseo - Team Forces Foundation Directory Listing. https://www.cobseo.org.uk/members/directory/team-forces-foundation-team-army-sports/

1. Companies House - Team Forces Foundation Overview (Company 07773783). https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07773783