Foundation Receives Core Cost Grant from Sir George Martin Trust

Castleford Tigers Foundation is delighted to announce it has received a £4,000 grant from the Sir George Martin Trust to support the charity's core operating costs, helping to strengthen the organisation and secure its future.

The Foundation, based at the home of Castleford Tigers RLFC on Wheldon Road, has been at the heart of the local community since 2007. Using the power of sport and the Castleford Tigers brand, the charity delivers programmes that improve health and wellbeing, inspire young people, tackle inequalities and create opportunities for communities across Castleford and the wider Wakefield District.

The funding comes at a pivotal time for the Foundation as it continues to rebuild following a challenging period in recent years. Like many charities, the Foundation faced significant challenges in surviving the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted fundraising, programme delivery and organisational capacity. Combined with rising operating costs and increasing demand for community support, this created additional pressures on the charity's long term sustainability. Since the appointment of Foundation Manager Amy Hardman eight months ago, the organisation has been focused on rebuilding capacity, strengthening governance and creating a more resilient foundation for the future.

Unlike many grants that are restricted to specific projects, this funding will contribute towards the Foundation's core costs, supporting staffing, governance, planning and the essential infrastructure needed to operate a safe, effective and sustainable charity.

Amy Hardman, Foundation Manager at Castleford Tigers Foundation, said:

"We're absolutely delighted to receive this support from the Sir George Martin Trust. Carla Marshall, the Trust's Grants Officer, has been fantastic throughout the application process and really took the time to understand our organisation, our journey and the challenges we have faced.

Funding for core costs is incredibly difficult to secure, yet it is one of the most important types of investment a charity can receive. It allows us to strengthen the foundations of our organisation, build resilience and ensure we can continue delivering high-quality support for local communities.

Like many charities, we've had to navigate the challenges of surviving a global pandemic, rising operating costs and increasing demand for our services as communities continue to feel the impact of the cost of living crisis. Much of the funding available to charities is short term and project-specific, so having flexible support from a local grant-making trust is invaluable.

This investment isn't just supporting our organisation, it's helping to secure the future of the Foundation and the thousands of people who benefit from our programmes each year. We are incredibly grateful to the Sir George Martin Trust for believing in our vision and supporting our long-term sustainability."

Castleford Tigers Foundation would like to thank the Sir George Martin Trust for its generous investment and continued commitment to supporting local charities and strengthening communities across the Wakefield district.