Made By Sport has partnered with community foundations across the UK to distribute £4.4m of funding to organisations and sports clubs who deliver sports development programmes for young people up to the age of 25. Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is managing the applications for Somerset and grants of up to £2,021 will be awarded to eligible organisations from the #ClubsInCrisis Fund.

The fund is looking for applications from clubs and community organisations that use sport to improve young people's lives through one or more of the following means:

Developing life skills

Building strong communities

Improving mental health

Developing employability skills

Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour

Kirsty Campbell, Programmes Manager at Somerset Community Foundation, said: "We've already awarded £42,000 in grants to Somerset groups and clubs from the #ClubsInCrisis Fund this summer. The fund is open for applications until Wednesday 18 August, so do get in touch with us if your charity or sports club needs a grant to support your development work with young people."

Groups that have been awarded grants from the fund this year are:

2BU Somerset CIC, Taunton, £2,021 for staff and transport costs to provide sports activities

Anglo Boxing Sports Community Centre, Shepton Mallet, £2,021 for coach training, transport and equipment

Ashcott Football Club, £1,500 for equipment for youth teams

Burnham & Highbridge Sea Cadet Unit, £1,500 for on-board training programme

Huish & Langport Cricket Club, Langport, £2,021 for coach training and equipment for youth section

Huish Tigers Football Club, Taunton, £1,500 for coaching and equipment costs for the Ability team

Huish Tigers RFC, Taunton, £1,188 for kit costs for youth players

In the Mix Youth Project, Wiveliscombe, £2,021 for core and project costs

Langport and Huish Episcopi Youth Group, £2,021 for summer sports activities

Nova Sports and Coaching, £2,021 to help young people with disabilities through sport and physical activity

Purple Elephant Productions CIC, Frome, £2,021 for summer holiday sports activities

Polonia&Friends, Yeovil, £2,021 for sports activities for their young members

Sparkford Cricket Club, £2,021 for practice nets for youth players

Stogursey and District Victory Hall Committee, Bridgwater, £2,021 for youth club running costs

Wells Cricket Club, £2,021 for coaching costs, cricket balls, facility hire for indoor training for youth section

Yeovil United Football Club, £2,021 for equipment for the youth section

Purple Elephant Productions CIC in Frome has been awarded a grant of £2,021 from #ClubsInCrisis towards the cost of providing free-of-charge summer sports activities for children, where they'll have fun and get fit together, whilst also developing and improving their social skills and mental health.

Sue Willis, Director at Purple Elephant, said: "It means so much to us to receive this grant funding, which allows us to continue supporting vulnerable families during the long summer holiday period. Many families struggle when the support usually provided to them by schools is not available. We help to bridge that gap and even include free meals at our activity sessions, in partnership with Fair Frome. For many families our activities are an absolute lifeline."

Recent research indicates that 25% of community clubs may never reopen due to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In an attempt to prevent this becoming a reality, Made By Sport is offering grants to groups who use sport as a vehicle for social good.

The #ClubsinCrisis Fund is supported by the Cash4Clubs scheme, and Sophie Mason, Made By Sport's Chief Executive, urged clubs to apply. She said: "We're delighted to be able to provide £4 million worth of grants through our #ClubsinCrisis Fund. With sport returning, now is the time to invest in grassroots sports and give our young people the best opportunity to thrive. Access to sport will provide them with more confidence, more resilience and better mental and physical health.

"We believe funders and policy makers should consider sport in a different context and Made By Sport will continue to lead the way in redefining what community sport can do as part of the national rebuild. Now more than ever, sport has a big role in reinvigorating communities and supporting young people post-pandemic."

In order to be eligible, clubs must provide clear evidence of how they use sport to help young people develop life skills, employment opportunities, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour or tackle mental health issues.

Any community group or charitable organisation wishing to apply for funding should visit the SCF website where they can find guidance on how to make an application: www.somersetcf.org.uk/apply

Somerset Community Foundation is a charity that helps passionate people in Somerset change the world on their doorstep by funding local charities and inspiring local giving and philanthropy. They aim to build stronger communities in Somerset where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. They provide rewarding and impactful ways for donors to give through them, to the causes and places they care about most. Together, they fund amazing organisations and the passionate people that change lives every day.

Since SCF were founded in 2002 they've awarded more than £15 million in funding, changing thousands of lives across Somerset.