The Trustees of the Rugby Football Foundation (RFF) have launched a new ‘Helping Hand Grant’ from 1st July 2011. The ‘Helping Hand Grant’ recognises that current economic times are difficult  and provides a mechanism for clubs to apply for a small grant of between £500 - £1,500 for eligible Capital Projects (for example a new set of rugby posts, redecorating the changing rooms etc)  with the club matching the grant on a £ 4 £ basis.

The grant will be available to clubs that play level 5 or below in the RFU league structure and builds on the successful RFF Groundmatch grant that has invested over £4.4 million into the game since 2003.

The ‘Helping Hand Grant’ has a simple two page application form which can be found at www.rfu.com/rff/

Please note that the new Helping Hand Grant will be viewed as an extension of the Groundmatch Grant scheme with the maximum amount of funding that a club can apply for in a 24 month period set at £5,000. However a club can make a number of applications within that time period up to the limit of £5,000.

For further information on the ‘Helping Hand Grant’, Groundmatch Grant or the Interest Free Loan scheme please contact Ross Baxter rossbaxter@rfu.com 07764 960405 Regional Funding and Facilities Manager