Inclusive community golf projects for young people can apply for ‘HSBC Golf Roots PLUS’ funding of up to £1,500 from the Golf Foundation
(Image courtesy of Matt Greaves)
During the last tough year for everyone the European Tour, a friend to our Golf Foundation charity, started the #GolfForGood project, creating multiple regional charitable opportunities.
In one of these, former Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn raised thousands of pounds for the Golf Foundation and UNICEF UK on his historic #Wentworth2Wales walk.
Just a few weeks ago we were able to celebrate Thomas’s amazing contribution when we presented him with our ‘Spirit of Golf’ Award at Wentworth during the BMW PGA Championship (see more here).
The Golf Foundation loves this #GolfForGood message, and today our team is announcing grant funding opportunities for community golf projects which celebrate the inclusive nature of this game at its best. We want to help, because we know that golf can change lives.
Community funding opportunity
HSBC Golf Roots PLUS funding is available for a wide range of community-based educational/social/health projects which wish to introduce the life skills benefits of golf to young people. These projects can now apply for this funding from today, until 5th November, 2021.
HSBC Golf Roots PLUS projects (funded by HSBC and The Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust) are a key initiative within the Golf Foundation’s drive to create life changing opportunities for young people using the power of golf.
In recent times, a range of these have supported young people with a disability and/or special educational needs (SEND), or behavioural issues.
Other projects have worked to build the confidence of young people and widen their social opportunities through golf. These have included charity/local authority led groups in deprived economic areas offering structured and sustainable golf learning for young people who are often very new to the game.
Diversity and inclusion
A key element of strong projects going forwards can include promoting diversity and inclusion among young people from different backgrounds.
A PLUS project should, among other criteria, reflect the core values of the Golf Foundation:
• be highly inclusive and innovative;
• make the introduction of young people to golf fun;
• demonstrate how it will enhance Skills for Life learning and inspire its young people.
Ideally, each HSBC Golf Roots PLUS project should link to a local HSBC Golf Roots golf facility, involve a PGA Coach, and train young people as volunteers. A very good way of starting this application process would be to contact your area’s Golf Foundation Regional Development Officer (RDO) as they will be able to advise you (find your RDO here)
During the last two years or so, more than 20 organisations have benefited from HSBC Golf Roots PLUS funding. Recent projects include the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales, Special Olympics Sandwell, the Bath Rugby Community Foundation and Inspired Sports Solutions in Birmingham. Inspired Sport Solutions showed success in reaching children from different backgrounds in local schools.
Similarly, regional projects London Youth and Bring it on Brum have worked wonders this summer in helping the wellbeing of young people and enhancing diversity in city areas.
How to apply for PLUS funding
For projects in England, to apply for a HSBC Golf Roots PLUS discretionary grant, please fill out and complete the application form.
If you are based in Wales, you will need to contact the team at Wales Golf, you can find their details here. If you are based in Scotland, please contact the Scottish Golf Participation Team, [email protected] for more details.
To learn more about the overall impact of the Golf Foundation go to https://www.golf-foundation.org/impact/
