Glenorchy Basketball Association’s best grants tips

Over the past three years the Association has raised half a million dollars through successful grant applications.

As a result the club is now building a skills centre where the first hoops will be shot in June this year.

The Association was formed five years ago as an amalgamation of two clubs and an association. It has almost 1,000 registered players across junior and senior competitions. In 2021 it won the Good Sports Club of the Year. Watch the winner video on YouTube.

Grants are key to fundraising success

Grants are key to the club’s fundraising success, says Rodney Graham, the Association’s past President and current Operations Manager.

He says that whilst BBQs and raffles are important, grants provide the money for larger projects such as infrastructure.

“They are our number one priority, but it’s all about setting yourself up right.“

His advice to clubs starting out is to have a separate fundraising group outside of the main committee, so that the work load is shared amongst volunteers. 

“Clubs can double their opportunities by teaming up with another community group and applying together for a grant.

“It helps to have relationships outside of sport,“ explained Rodney.

In his Association’s case this includes Claremont College where the Association’s courts are based and Paraquad Tasmania. A joint submission resulted in better stadium access for people with disabilities.

How to apply for grants as a sporting club

Rodney puts down his Association’s grant success to a five-step process:

1. As a starting point, review past recipients to see whether your club and its size are a good fit for the required criteria.
2. Print out all the documents, carefully review the overview sheet and make sure to use their terminology in your application.
3. Make a list of all the documents that need to be included such as photos, letters of support or financial statements and, as you collect them, put them all in one folder.
4. Check that your story fits the questions asked and all the requirements are covered.
5. Appoint a review person to check the submission for any mistakes, spelling, grammar, and style consistency.

He encourages all Good Sports clubs to start small and slowly build up their club’s skills at grant application writing.

“The more you do it, the faster you get. Always keep a copy of your previous applications, so you don’t need to start from scratch very time.”