ASCB Charitable Fund

The ASCB Charitable Fund (charity number 1123854), established in 2009 through the transfer of assets from the earlier ASCB Trust Fund, is the British Army's dedicated independent charity for promoting, fostering, and developing sport among serving personnel. Governed by a board of senior Army trustees, it enhances physical and mental wellbeing, operational effectiveness, morale, teamwork, fitness, and resilience via competitive and recreational opportunities. Rooted in Army values of integrity, service, inclusivity, and excellence, it serves as the exclusive central channel for non-public funding of Army sport, disbursing over £6 million annually while aligning with Defence policy on sport's role in readiness, retention, rehabilitation, and inclusion.

It prioritises grants to 45 recognised Army sports associations and unions (e.g., Army Rugby Union, Football Association, Rowing, Snowboarding), covering administration, competitions, equipment, talent development, representative teams, adventure training, adaptive sports for injured personnel, and infrastructure upgrades like garrison gyms. Beneficiaries are strictly serving Army regulars, reservists, units, garrisons, and occasionally dependants; support spans mainstream sports (football, rugby, athletics) to minority disciplines, with global reach where Army personnel deploy.

Exclusively invite-only for official Army entities—rejecting unsolicited applications, civilians, or non-Army organisations—eligibility requires UK-based Army affiliation, favouring medium-to-large associations (typically >£1m income). Grants range £10,000–£100,000 (larger for major projects), funding project/core costs, capital, and revenue via internal review by trustees on an ad hoc basis, with no public deadlines or portals. Its distinctive scale, Army-exclusive focus, and strategic infrastructure leverage set it apart as the sole steward of Army Sports Lottery and sponsorship income for sporting tradition and progression.