Services
Bid Writing and Funding Solutions
Community Engagement
Our approach to community engagement is uncomplicated and highly focused. We prioritise engaging with the communities recognised by funders as target groups for improved access to sport within your local and wider area, as well as other potential users to widen and underpin the sustainability of any project. During a period of comprehensive consultation, we take time to listen and understand what is really wanted from the proposed project; initiating support and ultimately generating increased participation when the facility is built.
Business Planning
Each funding application requires the development of a robust business plan to ensure financial viability and future sustainability. Thorough activity programming and expert financial modelling will provide you with confidence that your facility will be successful in widening access to sport for generations to come.
Operational Management and Governance Advice
We have developed invaluable insight into what works and what doesn’t, gained from years of monitoring and evaluating sports facilities for a number of organisations across the country. Experience of working on countless projects means reliable advice is available to support our clients in developing their operational processes and structures.
Sports Development
Any sports facility project needs to be able to demonstrate outcomes when seeking grant aid. We are highly skilled and experienced at working with project partners and constructing realistic but comprehensive development plans which are easy to understand and demonstrate an appropriate return on investment for potential funders.
Social Outcomes
By working with partners and non-partner organisations providing initiatives/programmes that connect the community, we ensure societal outcomes are maximised particularly in areas such as physical and mental well-being, equality and inclusion, individual and community development and economic development.
Fundraising Strategies
We can identify the people and organisations who may help fund your project and connect you to those who you should be talking to. Collectively, we can build up a list of potential stakeholders and make contact with them to discuss your proposals. This builds that all important ‘momentum’ when it comes to getting a project delivered through engagement and financial support.
Collaboration
Sometimes schemes may need further technical expertise in areas such as design, cost management, ecology, or VAT. Having worked in the sector for 20 years, we have established a reliable bank of associates across these areas and more. Optimum Pitch works flexibly with talented associate specialists, harnessing value for money and outstanding technical knowledge.
Feasibility Studies
If your organisation is considering developing sports facilities and needs to ascertain whether a project is viable, we can assist with an initial feasibility study. We outline the overall opportunity, focusing on areas such as demand, operations and financial forecasting, funding, and costs. This allows for an educated decision as to whether to move forward, and how. This is imperative for any project to succeed, and certainly crucial to raising capital.
Grant Assessment Service
We offer this service to organisations that favour employing peripatetic / short term contract staff to undertake the assessment of applications for funding during periods of high-volume workload. Should you need cover for short, intensive periods of work at various times through the year, we can provide a flexible and economically advantageous option. With a strong track record of working on time limited funding programmes accountable to numerous national governing bodies of sport, we provide clear and cohesive assessments and recommendations that are reliable and robust.