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Funding synergies between sport and development
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Securing long-term, sustainable funding for sport and development projects requires a good understanding of funding sources and their shifting trends.

 

 

This is the fourth in a series of articles focused on funding in S&D.

 

 

S&D projects involve both sports organisations and development agencies, making for a wide range of funding sources. However, funding trends within these two sectors change over time and it is important to be aware of these shifts and align your fundraising strategy accordingly.

Shifting trends
The recent release of the 5-year joint strategy of the Australian Sports Commission and AusAID is a good example of shifting trends. This strategy outlines a ‘development through sport’ approach wherein development objectives predominate, with sport-based activities included alongside several others that can be used to achieve these goals.

Aligning S&D with the development sector provides great potential and would be a real success for the S&D sector. Benefits beyond funding may include increased credibility and greater impact by working with well-established governmental ministries such as health and education.

This trend should not mean, however, we forget the importance of the sport sector, which is a major source of funding for S&D.

Keeping a balanced approach
International Inspiration (II), London 2012’s international sports legacy programme, is a good example of finding a balance between sport and development sectors. By developing an international S&D programme out of a major sporting event, UK Sport, British Council and UNICEF have been able to find a bridge between sport and development sectors.

II is now established as its own charity following the merger of International Development through Sport (IDS) and the International Inspiration Foundation (IIF), and has enriched the lives of over 12 million children in 20 countries around the world through high-quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.

 

As funding trends shift, finding synergies between the sport and development sectors will increase chances of sustainable funding.

How can a convincing case be made to investors skeptical of funding S&D projects? Part five in this series will look into the cost-effectiveness of S&D.

 

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