Sports clubs and community activity groups hit by the COVID-19 lockdown will be able to benefit from emergency funding up to £20,000, thanks to a match-funding initiative by Sport England.

The grassroots body has teamed up with online platform Crowdfunder and has pledged to match crowdfunds of up to £10,000, raised by clubs and organisations in England hit by the coronavirus crisis.

In total, Sport England has earmarked £1m for the Active Together scheme, which is in addition to the £210m coronavirus support package announced earlier this year.

“The partnership with Crowdfunder is one of several ways we’re helping organisations survive during the pandemic and start to plan for the future,” said Charles Johnston, Sport England's executive director of property.

“We’re supporting projects new to crowdfunding, so they can develop successful fundraising campaigns by engaging their local communities."

The Crowdfunder platform is scrapping all fees for the Active Together programme and is covering transaction charges to ensure all the money raised will be received by the clubs.

To help clubs further, Crowdfunder is also providing a series of monthly webinars offering advice and examples of successful previous Crowdfunder projects involving sport.

“Grassroots sport plays a major part in millions of people’s lives across England,” said Crowdfunder CEO Rob Love.

“Keeping these community hubs alive throughout this crisis is essential, as their role in the rebuild and recovery of all our physical and mental wellbeing will be significant.

"Crowdfunding is about more than just giving. It allows clubs to diversify funding streams through a neat campaign, advanced sales and driving meaningful engagement between clubs, their members and local communities."

Clubs and organisations can sign up via the Crowdfunder website, where a bespoke page has been set up for the Active Together programme.

They’ll then need to set their crowdfunding target and put in place incentives and rewards.

Once 25 per cent of the crowdfunding is met, Sport England will confirm the match funding – up to £10,000 – and can distribute the money within seven days of being raised.