The Football Association Benevolent Fund

Charity Number: 299012

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £158,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by case complexity
  • Grant Range: Discretionary, based on individual need (County FAs typically award £250-£500)
  • Geographic Focus: England

Contact Details

Website: www.thefa.com/about-football-association/the-fa-benevolent-fund

Phone: 0800 169 1863

Email:

  • richard.mcdermott@thefa.com (ext. 6575)
  • Olajumoke.Kupoluyi@thefa.com (ext. 4046)

Address: Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ

Overview

The Football Association Benevolent Fund (Charity Number 299012) was established in 1904 to support players and other participants involved in football who find themselves in urgent financial need. Registered as a charitable trust in 1988, the Fund operates throughout England with a mission to alleviate hardship for individuals connected to the game of association football. For the year ending 31 December 2023, the charity had total income of £139,117 and total expenditure of £158,003. The Fund operates through grant-making to individuals, working in partnership with County Football Associations across England. The charity is maintained through voluntary donations from the football community and governed by three trustees who serve without remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The FA Benevolent Fund provides individual hardship grants on a discretionary basis. Grant amounts are determined by the nature of circumstances and assessed individual needs rather than fixed amounts. County FAs typically award grants between £250 and £500, with the national Fund providing additional support for more substantial needs.

Application Method: Rolling basis through County FA facilitation, with applications assessed by an Advisory Group and decided by Trustees.

Priority Areas

The Fund provides financial assistance to persons who are or were connected with football and who require support for the following reasons:

  • Poverty: Financial hardship experienced by individuals in the football community
  • Age: Support for elderly former participants in football
  • Disability: Assistance for those with physical or mental disabilities
  • Ill-health: Medical-related financial needs
  • Injury: Urgent financial need following football-related or other injuries
  • Other hardships: Including abuse, neglect, or other trauma

Eligible Beneficiaries: The beneficiary must have a connection with the game of football, whether as:

  • Player
  • Coach
  • Manager
  • Referee/assistant referee
  • Administrator
  • Official

Dependents of persons connected to the game may also qualify for assistance.

What They Don't Fund

The Fund is restricted to individuals connected with football. Organizations and clubs are not eligible. All beneficiaries must demonstrate a clear connection to association football in England.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  1. Geoff Thompson (Chair)
  2. Professor Dame Robina Shah
  3. Mervyn Leggett

The Fund operates with support from 4 volunteers and works with an Advisory Group comprising individuals with relevant skills, knowledge, and experience who assist in assessing applications and making recommendations to the Trustees.

The Trustees retain final decision-making authority on all grant awards and eligibility determinations.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through a detailed application form that requires applicants to set out the circumstances of their hardship. The process varies depending on the nature of the application:

Standard Applications (poverty, age, disability, ill-health, injury):

  • County FAs are responsible for assisting applicants in completing application forms
  • County FAs ensure applications are completed appropriately
  • County FAs provide initial feedback on applications
  • County FAs offer other support throughout the process
  • Applications are forwarded to The FA and circulated to the three Trustees for consideration

Special Cases (abuse, neglect, trauma, or applications from former members/dependents of England's 1966 FIFA World Cup winning squad):

  • The Advisory Group is responsible for assessing applications
  • The Advisory Group makes recommendations to the Trustees
  • Direct support from The FA rather than County FA facilitation

Sensitive Data: Applications may involve processing sensitive personal data, particularly health information, which is processed on the basis of explicit consent.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary depending on the complexity of the case. Some County FA benevolent funds (such as Sussex County FA) aim to reach decisions within a few days of receipt, though national Fund decisions may take longer depending on the need for Advisory Group review and Trustee consideration.

Applicants are typically contacted with decisions once Trustees have made their determination.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Each application is individually assessed based on the claimant's financial needs and circumstances. Not every application can be guaranteed a grant, but each case is carefully reviewed by the Fund's trustees.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Fund directly or work with their County FA to discuss reapplication if circumstances change or additional needs arise.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Football Connection: Ensure your application clearly establishes your connection to association football, whether as a current or former participant in any capacity (player, coach, referee, administrator, etc.).

Provide Comprehensive Financial Information: The application requires detailed information about your circumstances of hardship. Be thorough and transparent in documenting your financial situation.

Work with Your County FA: For most applications, County FAs are your primary point of contact and support. They can assist in completing forms appropriately and provide initial feedback, increasing the likelihood of a successful application.

Document Health or Disability Needs: Where applications relate to ill-health or disability, be prepared to provide health information with explicit consent for processing sensitive personal data.

Consider Timing and Urgency: The Fund was established to help those in “urgent financial need,” particularly following injury. Applications demonstrating immediate hardship may be prioritized.

Individual Assessment: Remember that all grants are discretionary and specific, based on individual needs assessment rather than fixed criteria or amounts.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This Fund supports individuals, not organizations: If you're a grant writer working on behalf of football clubs or organizations, this Fund is not appropriate. It exists solely for individual hardship relief.
  • County FA partnership is essential: Most applicants must work through their County FA, which serves as the gateway to the national Fund and provides crucial support throughout the application process.
  • Clear football connection required: Eligibility hinges on demonstrating a connection to association football in England, whether current or historical.
  • Discretionary awards based on need: There are no fixed grant amounts; awards are determined by individual circumstances and the nature of hardship experienced.
  • Multiple support pathways: The Fund can work alongside County FA benevolent funds, with County FAs often providing initial grants of £250-£500 and referring to the national Fund for additional support where needed.
  • Maintained by community donations: As a Fund maintained through voluntary donations from the football community, applications should demonstrate genuine need to ensure resources support those most in hardship.
  • Long-standing commitment: With origins in 1904, the Fund has over a century of experience supporting the football community through difficult times.

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