With our help, Sporting Influence Foundation CIC has got the policies and practices in place to secure sponsorship and funding – and in turn help improve the all-round health, and participation levels of young people in the Harrogate area who have experienced challenging circumstances.

What was the challenge?

Sporting Influence Foundation contacted us for support around accessing start-up funding and writing a strategic plan. They also wanted advice on any specific milestones they should be aware of, like writing the social impact report in their annual review. After chatting to Hilary, one of our development officers, it became clear that, although the group had a business plan, they needed advice on what policies to have in place and templates for creating them.

Hilary says: “Sporting Influence were a really capable and organised group. They just needed that extra bit of specialist advice on what practices and policies needed to be in place to help them stand out with potential funders and sponsors.”

How did Community First Yorkshire help?

Having looked through all the group’s needs, Hilary signposted them to the resources on our Community Support North Yorkshire website, and in particular, NCVO’s resources on producing a strategic plan. Hilary advised the group that a strategic plan should ideally include a funding plan, a communications plan, a budget, a cash-flow forecast and measures to record quality and impact against their aims. She also advised that a SWOT analysis and/or PESTLE analysis could be helpful, if not already in their business plan.

Having researched available funding, Hilary advised the group on how to run an online crowd-funding campaign. This advice included keeping the campaign to around six-weeks, and keeping social media active before and throughout the campaign. She also recommended asking businesses to donate in the six-week window to increase the matched funding available from online giving platforms.

The group received advice on what policies they needed and Hilary sent them templates for safeguarding, data protection, finance, health and safety, volunteer policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, complaints, Conflict of Interest, and environmental.

Hilary also suggested they get in touch with York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub for further avenues of support if required.

What does the future look like?

Having access to resources has meant the group has a strong set of policies and other documents in place, which in turn allows them to demonstrate to funders and sponsors that they follow good governance and working practices. This in turn demonstrates that the group is a safe and secure place for children to enjoy the sporting activities they provide.

Following Hilary’s advice, two sponsors have come forward to support Sporting Influence.

About the organisation

Sporting Influence Foundation CIC provides sporting opportunities to school aged children who have experienced challenging circumstances such as those with Special Educational Needs, mental health needs; and those who have experienced economic hardship in Harrogate and the surrounding areas. Furthermore, the SI Foundation aims to offer opportunities to young adults in the community to take up sports coaching/teaching as a vocation.