London, United Kingdom
The Football Foundation is a UK-based sports charity founded in 2000. As the charity of the Premier League, The FA, and Government, through Sport England, its core mission is to develop outstanding grassroots football facilities, with a focus on areas where demand is greatest and impact will be strongest.
Since its establishment, the foundation has become the largest sports charity in the UK and has utilized investments from its partners to award over 17,600 grants, amounting to more than £710m, for the improvement of facilities. This includes the creation of 942 artificial grass pitches, 6,426 natural grass pitches, and 1,200 changing facilities. Notably, these efforts have attracted an additional £940m of partnership funding, resulting in a total investment of over £1.6bn in grassroots football.
Furthermore, the Foundation has played a pivotal role in shaping the National Football Facilities Strategy (NFFS), a collaborative initiative by the Premier League, The FA, and Government through Sport England. This strategy will guide efforts over the next 10 years to transform local facilities, with the creation of Local Football Facility Plans (LFFP) identifying priority projects that align with the organization's mission.
Overall, the Football Foundation has established itself as a significant player in the sports industry, driving impactful changes in grassroots football and fostering community development. With its ongoing initiatives and investment track record, the Foundation's role in enhancing football facilities and increasing participation is primed for continued growth and influence.
