National League Trust
About This Funder
The National League Trust, established in 2011 as a partnership between the National League, Premier League, and Professional Footballers’ Association, is a registered charity dedicated to empowering football clubs in England's National League (three divisions) to deliver transformative community programmes. Its core mission harnesses the unique reach and trust of non-league football to enhance quality of life for disadvantaged local communities, particularly those facing barriers from age, disability, or socioeconomic challenges. Guided by values of inclusion, opportunity, and social change, the Trust fosters sustainable, club-led initiatives that position sport as a gateway to broader engagement, with a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to maximising impact.
It funds targeted projects using football and allied activities to advance education (e.g., literacy for NEETs), health and wellbeing (e.g., obesity prevention, fitness for seniors), social inclusion (e.g., women's and girls' talent centres, anti-loneliness efforts), and opportunity for youth, disabled people, minorities, and isolated older adults. Supported activities include staffing, equipment, training, transport, and venue hire for community benefit programmes run by club-affiliated entities.
Eligible applicants are strictly UK-registered charities or CICs serving as the official Club Community Organisation (CCO) of a current National League club, based in England or Wales—no income thresholds apply, but only one application per CCO annually, following pre-application advice or a funding workshop. Grants range from £5,000 to £25,000 (£15,000 max for club-run projects), awarded quarterly by Trustees. Start with a phone enquiry for an online portal link; next deadline is 18 August 2025 (decisions late September). Exclusions cover core costs, capital works, and unaffiliated charities. Distinctively, its club-embedded model ensures deeply local, trusted delivery, differentiating it as a football-rooted catalyst for community resilience.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does National League Trust provide?
National League Trust typically provides grants ranging from £5,000 - £25,000.
Where does National League Trust fund charities?
National League Trust funds charities operating in England, Wales.
How do I apply for funding from National League Trust?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with National League Trust. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and National League Trust's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
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