Hampshire Cricket Foundation

The Hampshire Cricket Foundation, established in December 2012 as the official charity of Hampshire Cricket and closely tied to the Utilita Bowl in Southampton, drives positive change in local communities through sport and education. Its mission focuses on addressing inequalities by promoting community participation in healthy recreation, advancing youth education, enhancing health and wellbeing, and supporting disadvantaged groups in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Guided by values of social inclusion, aspiration, community connection, and personal development—primarily via cricket—it adopts a hybrid approach of grants, gifts in kind (like facility access and match tickets), and direct programme delivery, distinguishing it from generalist sports funders through deep integration with county cricket networks and long-term youth investment.

It prioritises projects delivering health, wellbeing, social cohesion, and educational outcomes in underserved areas, including Hawks Cricket Academies in Southampton, Basingstoke, and Portsmouth for barrier-breaking youth progression; employability support; dementia awareness initiatives; and partnerships with clubs like Poseidon Amateur Boxing and Hedge End Running Club. Funding targets children, young people, the elderly, disabled individuals, and broader communities facing exclusion, with emphasis on grassroots impact.

Eligible applicants are limited to UK-registered charities and community groups based exclusively in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, favouring small-to-medium local entities rooted in disadvantaged communities; unsolicited applications are not accepted—it's strictly invite-only with no open calls, forms, or deadlines. Trustees make adhoc decisions responsively. Typical grants are bespoke, under £10,000 financially plus in-kind support; no capital, unrestricted, or non-aligned funding. Organisations demonstrating sport-driven social mobility align best.