How Southport Won $35,000 for Their Clubhouse
Southport Croquet Club secured $35,000 for a new veranda and funded court lights through council. Club president Charlie Ernst shares what worked.
Every club has a wishlist. New court lights, a modern clubhouse, an all-weather veranda. These are big-ticket items that can change a club's future. But for volunteer committees, the path from idea to funded project can feel daunting.
At Southport Croquet Club, they've done it multiple times. A new veranda. Court lighting. Here's how.
Start with the right question
Club president Charlie Ernst says the key is a combination of planning, persistence, and knowing where to look.
The veranda: $35,000 from a major grant
Their new veranda was funded by a $35,000 Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant. The application took months of preparation: gathering quotes, documenting the club's community impact, and building a case that showed the veranda would benefit more than just croquet players.
Major grants like this require lead time. Southport started planning well before the application deadline opened.
The lights: A different path
For court lights, Southport took a different approach. Instead of applying for a one-off grant, they built a relationship with their local council over several years. When council funding became available, Southport was already on the radar as a well-run club with clear plans.
Council funding works differently. It's often about timing, relationships, and being ready when opportunities come up.
Find a grant writer
One of Southport's most effective moves was finding a member who was good at writing applications and letting them own that role. Not a committee position. Just one specific job, done well.
Having a dedicated grant writer — someone who enjoys the research and paperwork — made the difference. Not every committee member needs to do everything.
The takeaway
Three lessons from Southport's experience: start early and give yourself a long lead time before deadlines. Build relationships with your council before you need something. And find one person who's good at applications and let them run with it.
Your club's next big project is achievable. Southport is proof.
Want help with your club's next project? Visit clubhub.croquetqld.org for resources and discussion.
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