The Primary Club: James Fund
Overview
The Primary Club (the Club), now in its 68th year, provides financial support for a wide range of recreational and sporting facilities for the blind and visually impaired (VI). It is the major supporter of the thriving network of VI cricket clubs in the UK.
But, while its origins and heart are in cricket, the Club also supports VI futsal, goalball, golf, skiing, swimming, tandem cycling and Braille chess.
The James Fund, which has been made possible by a significant legacy from the late Kenneth G James, will provide grants of up to £25,000 for new projects that meet the following criteria:
- They must relate clearly to the sporting and/or recreational needs of the blind and partially sighted.
- They must be "grass roots" or "start up" activities, rather than supporting international teams of visually impaired sportsmen and women.
- They must fund the whole of the cost of the project, rather than being one of a number of contributors.
- They must support running costs or the purchase of equipment, rather than items which will significantly increase the recipient's long-term asset base.
Other than the above, the Trustees do not want to put any constraints on the types of projects which can attract funding under this initiative. However, they do want the finance to be used to support activities which could not otherwise take place. In particular, they are keen to support projects that are either innovative (in the sense of enabling support to be provided in new ways, or to a wider community) and/or collaborative (for example enabling schools and other organisations to deliver support together which they could not achieve alone).
Successful recipients will be expected to participate in the Club’s promotional activity relating to the project.
The Trustees have full discretion over which projects to support under this initiative and reserve the right not to distribute all, or any, of the funds available.
The James Fund is open to applications from any organisation or individual that meets the eligibility criteria. A total of £75,000 is available through the Fund.