Grants & Marketing

Lisa Ferguson, Wednesday, 1 January 2014
 
 
GRANTS
There are a number of organisations that offer grants to sporting clubs. Here is some helpful tips on writing winning grants.
 
CHOOSE A GRANT: The first challenge is finding a grant. A full list of the grants available and more information can also be found below It is a good idea to subscribe to the NSW Office of Communities Sport and Recreation and the Sports Community website to receive email notifications when grants are open.
 
WRITING THE GRANT: Here are some helpful tips on writing grants.
 
* Carefully read all the guidelines and application forms before you start. Make sure your project fits the guidelines. If you have any queries call the funding body to discuss. Do some research, look at what types of projects have received funding in the past.
  
* If completing the grant application online, save and complete the grant questions and answers in a Word document on your computer. This will enable you to spell check your document which you can't usually do with the online application, every little bit helps to show how professional your club is. When completed you can cut and paste your answers into the online application. You can also update the saved results for future grant applications.
 
* Most grant applications will require a brief history of your organisation, including the qualifications and experience of key volunteers and general project management experience. Provide examples of what events/projects your club has run successfully in the past.
 
* Describe how your project will meet the grant objectives and why the project is needed. Be specific, achievable within a 12-month time frame, relate to a distinct geographical location and result in real outcomes that are easily measurable. Projects that are funded are projects that are seen to affect or involve as many people as possible and that have a broad community appeal. If the project is realistic with a strong likelihood of success. It is a project that will provide long term benefits to the community. Or something that is new or visionary that is being held back only because of a lack of funds.
 
* Support your application with facts and figures. Consider contacting your local council for statistics on your local community. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Sports Commission websites have valuable statistical data that may support your submission.
 
* Work out your budget. Obtain quotes if necessary and list all the expenses and income relating to the project. If successful in obtaining the grant you will need to provide records of expenditure to the funding body.
 
* Outline how your will measure the success of the project describing your evaluation methods.
 
* Be aware of the application deadline and leave plenty of time to obtain all the information you need.
 
* Make sure you receive confirmation that your application has been received and keep a record of your application.
 
* If successful, keep the funding body up to date with the progress and related expenditure for the project.
 
GOOD LUCK!
 
 
AVAILABLE GRANTS
 
* PCANSW CAMP ASSISTANCE GRANT: Pony Club NSW offers financial assistance to clubs and zones conducting camps by paying the travel expenses of one instructor from the paid instructors panel (of the Club/Zones own choosing) to attend. The club/zone organising the camp is responsible for:
For a full listing of the current members of the Paid Instructors Panel click here. To apply for assistance, complete the application form by clicking here.
 
* PCANSW CROSS COUNTRY COURSE GRANT: Pony Club NSW offers a grant of $500 to clubs/zones building or renovating a cross country course who engage the services of an EA accredited course designer. Grants are limited to one per zone per year. The club must first make an application to their zone nominating the course designer to be used, which will then be considered at the following Zone committee meeting. In the event of more than one application being received by a zone a vote will be taken to decide which application is to go forward to the State Council for consideration. Following approval at Zone level, the application is submitted to the PCA office together with a letter of support from the zone and will be at the next State Council meeting. Applicants will be notified following the Council meeting to advise if their application has been successful. Payment of the grant is made following the completion of the cross country course including a written report from the course designer confirming that the course has been built as per their design and specifications.
 
For a list of Equestrian Australia accredited course designers click here. To apply, complete the application form by clicking here and send to your zone secretary.
 
* NSW GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF COMMUNITIES SPORT AND RECREATION PARTICIPATION AND FACILITY GRANT: Sporting Clubs have the opportunity to build new or upgrade sport and recreation facilities.
 
* LOCAL SPORTING CHAMPIONS PROGRAM: The Local Sporting Champions program is designed to support young people participating in state, national and international level sporting championships as either an athlete, coach or official.
 
* GRANTS FOR GRASSROOTS: The Australian Sports Foundation has launched a new small grants program which funds initiatives and programs aimed at increasing participation in grassroots and community sport.
 
* CLUB GRANTS:This funding focuses on the development of sport and recreation infrastructure facilities.
 
* LAYNE BEACHLEY AIM FOR THE STARS FOUNDATION: This foundation is all about empowering and enabling girls and women to take control of their lives, to invest in their future and fulfil their potential.
 
* SPORTSCOVER GRANT: Sportscover's desire to assist community sports led to the creation of the Sportscover Sponsorship Fund (SSF) as an avenue to sponsor a wide variety of amateur sports men and women, striving to achieve sporting greatness across a broad cross-section of sports. Over the last few years, the SSF has donated over $70,000 in grants to grass-roots sporting clubs and associations.
 
* TELSTRA KIDS FUND: Telstra Kids Fund is a valuable means by which Telstra employees can direct Telstra philanthropic giving and support their local communities across Australia.
 
* VOLUNTEER GRANT: The Department of Social Services have Volunteer Grants available.
 
* IMB COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:The IMB Community Foundation provides funding once per year.
 
* ELITE INDIGENOUS TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The Elite Indigenous Travel and Accommodation Assistance Program (EITAAP) is an initiative that is jointly managed by the Australian Sports Commission and Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.
 
* OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY GRANTS: Australia Post, Our Community Grants Program encourages organisations to apply for funding for projects that will help to build healthier, more vibrant and more inclusive communities across Australia.
 
* COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIP:The NSW Community Building Partnership program aims to provide improved community infrastructure for the people of NSW and encourage the enhancement of local community based activities that create more vibrant and inclusive communities. 
 
* COMMUNITY LITTER GRANTS: Community Litter Grants help to equip locals with the tools and resources to implement litter solutions to their neighbourhoods.

 

 

MARKETING
 
Marketing is about communicating your club’s activities and facilities to attract members, funds and other resources. It can be as simple as placing an ad in the local newspaper. It involves finding out who your customer is and tailoring your activities to that market. The marketing of sporting clubs includes activities like open days, advertising and events. However members and officials are acutally marketing the club whenever they take on their roles - often without being aware of it. A club secretary who provides information about membership over the phone contributes to the image of your club just as much as the member representing your club in uniform at a pony club competition.
MARKETING MIX (THE 5P’S): Marketing is often referred as the 5 Ps. The research on your target market, what your club offers and where it is positioned within the market helps identify your club’s marketing mix.
  1. Product - This is your Pony Club. What can you offer that other sports in your area may not?
  2. People - This includes your Pony Club volunteers and members.
  3. Price - This includes your Pony Club membership fees. Is your membership fee realistic and competitive? Will your members achieve value for money?
  4. Promotion - Ensuring potential members/volunteers are aware of your Club. This can be advertising, publicity, brochures, etc. Think about what type of advertising will reach your target audience? What has been successful in the past and what hasn't? Always ask new enquirers how they found out about you?
  5. Place - Where the Pony Club is located. Do you know where your target audience are, and who they are?

PROMOTION: There are a number of effective ways to promote your Pony Club.

  1. Website - PCANSW offers websites for affiliated clubs and zones for a fee of $20 per year, which needs to be renewed annually. These websites are designed to be easy to maintain, and easy to use. To set up your site a club will need to apoint a trusted official to manage the site, complete the MyWebsite application form and return with payment to the office who will issue the club trusted official with a user ID and password.
  2. Advertising - is paid advertising in the media. You may choose to place an advertisment in your local newspaper, school newsletter, or local radio.
  3. Publicity & Media - This is free promotion for your club through such mediums as local newspapers or radio stations. Tips for writing a Media Release can be found downloaded here. You may also find this email contact sheet useful. The Land Newspaper invites pony clubs, youth associations and all young horse enthusiasts to email “Saddle Up”photos and a brief account of their latest events. More information is available here.
  4. Merchandise & Uniforms - Create merchandise such as caps, socks, shirts etc to raise funds and promote your club at the same time.
  5. Flyers & Brochures - Produce a simple brochure or flyer that outlines the club information, membership fees and contact information. Distribute to the local community notice boards, library, recreation centres, primary schools or letter box drop in the local area.
  6. Newsletters - Distribute a regular newsletter to provide information to members about club events, activities and news.
  7. Signage - A banner with your club name, and colours could be used at registration days, presentation days, competitions and promotional events.
  8. Open Day - Pony Clubs are encouraged to hold an Open Day on a day that suits them throughout the year. Holding a Open Day will raise awareness of your Club in the local community. It will provide an opportunity for people to see what being a member of your Pony Club is all about and increase memberships in your Club.
  9. Fundraiser - Fundraising is generally the most cost effective way to raise funds for your club and can also help to promote your club in the community. Depending on the size of the event or offering, a considerable amount of planning and resources are necessary to get the most out of a fundraiser. Putting the Fun back in Fundraiser - more information available here.
  10. Mitavite product offer - Mitavite is the official feed partner of The Pony Club Association of NSW. Throughout 2014 Mitavite is offering Clubs and Zones the opportunity to purchase 5 bags of Mitavite Xtra-Cool feed, valued at up to $100, for the bargain price of $50. Feed will be supplied in the form of a voucher for redemption at your nearest feed store stocking Mitavite before December 2014. Simply complete the Order Form available here and post, or fax the form to the state office along with cheque payment. You could purchase this discounted feed and use for Club competition prizes. Great prizes can help to keep members coming back with the chance to win!
  11. Pony Club NSW Competitions - Promote member and club competitions in your Club to help show the various member benefits. Or enter for your chance to win prizes which can be used at your Club. Check out our competitions page here.
  12. Grants - There are a number of organisations that offer grants to sporting clubs. Here is some helpful tips on writing winning grants. This can help to make your club more sustainable and raise the profile of your club in your area, state or event nation wide.

 CLUB OPEN DAYS

Clubs are encouraged to hold an Open Day on a date that suits them every year. Holding a Open Day will raise awareness of your Club in the local community. It will provide an opportunity for people to see what being a member of your Pony Club is all about and increase memberships in your Club.
 
Open Days operate from Alstonville in the north of the state to Pambula in the south every year.
 
 
The Executive suggests that Clubs and Zones use their registration days for the Open Day Initiative. Suggestions for holding an Open Day include hosting a “trash and treasure market”, “sausage sizzles” and a “morning tea”. Any fundraising that is done on Club grounds will be covered by insurance as long as the fundraising initiative is minuted by the Club prior to the event, any person riding is a financial Riding member and that details are supplied to the State Office in writing or via email. These details apply to any fundraising or special event that is organised by a Club this may include financial Riding members participating in the Anzac Day march etc. Details must be minuted and sent to the State Office to be placed in a special events file for insurance purposes. If you are in doubt as to whether your event will be covered please contact the office preferably via email at admin@pcansw.org.au so that this can be confirmed through the insurers.
 
 
When: On a date that suits your Club in 2014. PCANSW suggest holding it as part of a Rally Day.
 
Where: Your Pony Club Grounds.
 
Pony Club Role: Arrange date, arrange activities, promote the day, run the Open Day.
 
PCANSW role: PCANSW will supply; brochures, branded merchandise, posters, and a ’How to host a Open Day’ guide.
 
Where to start: Notify the State Office using the contact details below of the date and venue you will be holding your Club Open Day. Please provide contact details in order to post the Pony Club NSW Open Day pack and ‘How to host a Open Day’ guide. Please notify the office at the end of the year prior or early in the proposed year.
 
Marketing & Events Co-ordinator
Ph: 02 4229 8977
Email: marketing@pcansw.org.au
 
Pony Club NSW will provide the following promotional items for the Open Days;
     
 

 

Other Links
  How to Host an Open Day guide