Enabling Sports Fund

Projects must be in the form of disability sports programmes and/or activities that are:

• New and local community initiated or Existing (i.e. no prior funding by ESF) but show clear improvements or new elements that are aligned to ESF’s objectives.
• Designed to increase accessibility and participation to sports for persons with disabilities.
• Inclusive – people of all abilities should ideally be able to engage together.
• Clear about outcomes and potential to grow or continue in future.

Eligible expenses include:
✔️ Purchase or rental of specialised sports equipment (e.g. adapted wheelchairs, prosthetics)
✔️ Venue hire costs
✔️ Transport for programme participants if they are persons with disabilities
✔️ Coaches’ fees and training costs
✔️ Insurance, first aid, protective gear, risk management
✔️ Miscellaneous expenses directly supporting the programme

Not eligible:
❌ Start-up costs, office equipment/assets
❌ Political or religious activities
❌ Crowdfunding expenses
❌ Auditor fees
❌ Any profit-making design

Note: Applicants must declare funding sources. Double funding for the same cost item is strictly not allowed.

All project submissions are assessed against four equally weighted criteria listed below. Proposals must meet at least two. Additional consideration may be given to projects that demonstrate other forms of merit, such as novel or impactful engagement approaches.

1. Applicant’s Experience
   The applicant has experience or track record in serving the target group or running similar programmes, i.e. has worked with persons with disabilities before.
   
   
2. Community Activation
   The proposal involves volunteers and articulates how volunteers will benefit from the initiative. It has also other benefits (e.g. caregiver respite).
   
   
3. Inclusivity*
   The proposal promotes inclusivity opportunities through sport (e.g. involve participants of all abilities; actively engages unified sport partners where feasible).
   
   
4. Project Sustainability
   The proposal outlines how the project will be sustainable beyond the funding period and detailed budget required is deemed reasonable.

 *Inclusivity is defined as meaningful shared sporting experiences that include persons with disabilities with the aim of promoting awareness, understanding and mutual respect among participants. 

• Individuals/Groups/Organisations (e.g. ground up initiatives, volunteers, members of registered societies)
• Social Service Agencies
• Non-Profit Organisations
• National Sport Associations
• Disability Sport Organisations
• Social Enterprises

Note: For profit/ commercial projects/ programmes generally do not qualify.

Regular or Renewable programmes

• Funding may be up to 90% of qualifying costs for the first three years, capped at S$100,000 per year (based on agreed KPIs).
• Funding support may be up to five years from the year of application, but support will reduce significantly in years four and five to encourage sustainability.
• Funding duration must be indicated in application.
• If you reapply for the same project later, it will be treated as a continuation of an existing project.
• Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

One-off activities/events

• Funding might be less than 90% of qualifying costs, capped at S$100,000 per project (based on agreed KPIs).
• Must show significant reach or impact of activities/events lasting beyond the event day.
• Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*Regular programmes/events are initiatives that occur on a recurring basis (e.g. programme with monthly sessions, annual event).

**One-off activities/events are initiatives that occur once (e.g. workshop, one day activity).

• Applications to be submitted through the OurSG Grants Portal.
• You can get feedback from SportSG on your draft before you submit.
• The bigger your budget request, the clearer your reasons should be. Show us how you will use the funds and what difference they’ll make.
• Unsuccessful applicants can refine and resubmit in the next ESF application cycle.

Projects/programmes to be completed within 12 months

• 60% of approved funding from SportSG to the applicant upon signing of agreement.
• Remaining 40% of approved funding reimbursed by SportSG at the end of the mutually agreed project end date based on actual expenditure after netting off any revenue or income when the applicant submits the final report.
• Grant recipient is to refund surplus, if any.

Multi-year projects/programmes

• 60% of each year’s (12-month period) approved funding from SportSG to the applicant upon signing of agreement.
• Remaining 40% of the approved funding will be reimbursed by SportSG at the end of the year upon receiving and approval of project’s progress report.
• Fund disbursement pattern repeats for each year of the grant period.
• Grant recipient is to refund surplus, if any.

Note: If grant recipient is unable to meet the project’s KPIs, SportSG will assess the justification submitted for not meeting the KPIs and reserves the right to withhold up to 5% of approved funding, claw back any other funding not utilised or terminate the agreement. Grant recipient then may be required to revise their plans to meet the KPIs.