Flutter’s Sky Bet and EFL launch Building Foundations’ Fund

Flutter Entertainment's Sky Bet brand has teamed up with the English Football League (EFL) to provide £6 million of funding for community projects across England and Wales.

The Building Foundations’ Fund will give 72 EFL clubs a chance to bid for grants of up to £100,000 to invest in ongoing programmes or to develop new initiatives.

A panel of industry experts, including Sky Bet ambassador Jeff Stelling, will agree the winning bids across a range of categories, such as improving local sporting facilities or promoting the physical and social benefits of the game.

To mark the start of the initiative, Club Community Organisations (CCOs) at each of the 72 EFL clubs will have the opportunity to spend an initial £10,000 grant.

From the current 2023/24 season, Sky Bet will invest £1 million per year into the Fund.

“We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with the EFL - it’s a relationship that has gone from strength to the strength over the past decade and we wanted to raise the bar further still with the 'Building Foundations' Fund,” said Sky Bet managing director Dan Colton. “The Fund is a core pillar of our new agreement with the EFL and we’re very excited to see the impact the £6 million will have on such important projects across England and Wales.”

EFL chair Rick Parry commented: “Unrestricted funding for community activity on this scale is hard to find and presents an exciting opportunity for EFL clubs to further enhance the impact in the areas they are located.

“We are extremely grateful to Sky Bet for its ongoing support to the professional game in this country and this new investment via the 'Building Foundations' Fund will create a long-lasting legacy for the EFL and Sky Bet partnership.”

Jeff Stelling, former Sky Sports Soccer Saturday lead presenter, added: “Everybody knows my love of the English Football League. I also know all too well how lower league clubs and the communities around them struggle for financial support. I’m delighted to play a part in the 'Building Foundations' Fund and I truly believe it presents a great opportunity to make a real difference.”

As part of Flutter's Positive Impact Plan, the company has set an ambitious goal to positively impact the lives of 10 million people by 2030.

Shares in Flutter Entertainment plc (LSE:FLTR) were trading 0.72 per cent lower at 12,325.00 pence per share in London Tuesday morning.