Sky Bet and EFL Introduce ‘Building Foundations’ Football Initiative

Flutter Entertainment’s Sky Bet, in collaboration with the English Football League (EFL), has established the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund, committing a £6 million investment over several years to support community initiatives throughout England and Wales.

The Fund, which is the most substantial commitment of its kind from a sponsor focused exclusively on community engagement, enables the 72 EFL clubs to apply for grants up to £100,000. These grants will facilitate the advancement of existing community programs or the launch of new projects.

Starting with the 2023/24 season, Sky Bet pledges to allocate £1 million annually to the fund. A selection committee, featuring personalities such as Sky Bet’s ambassador Jeff Stelling, will assess and award the grants for diverse purposes, ranging from enhancing local sports infrastructure to fostering the game’s physical and communal benefits.

To commemorate the Fund’s inauguration, each EFL Club’s Community Organisation (CCO) will receive a preliminary grant of £10,000 to support their community activities.

Emile Heskey, the former professional footballer, was present alongside Sky Bet Managing Director Dan Colton and EFL chair Rick Parry at a Barnsley community football event. They observed how the upcoming season’s funds would positively impact the club’s walking football initiative for individuals over 35.

Additionally, Blackburn Rovers has announced plans to utilize their initial grant to expand their ‘Remember the Rovers’ program, designed to combat social isolation among individuals with dementia by connecting them through shared football memories at Ewood Park.

Dan Colton, Managing Director at Sky Bet, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with the EFL – it’s a relationship that has gone from strength to the strength over the past decade and we wanted to raise the bar further still with the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund. The Fund is a core pillar of our new agreement with the EFL and we’re very excited to see the impact the £6 million will have on such important projects across England and Wales.”

Rick Parry, EFL chair, said: “Unrestricted funding for community activity on this scale is hard to find and presents an exciting opportunity for EFL clubs to further enhance the impact in the areas they are located. We are extremely grateful to Sky Bet for its ongoing support to the professional game in this country and this new investment via the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund will create a long-lasting legacy for the EFL and Sky Bet partnership.”

Jeff Stelling, former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday lead presenter, said: “Everybody knows my love of the English Football League. I also know all too well how lower league clubs and the communities around them struggle for financial support. I’m delighted to play a part in the ‘Building Foundations’ Fund and I truly believe it presents a great opportunity to make a real difference.”