The Dorset Community Foundation is delighted to announce several excellent grant opportunities designed to support and enhance the local community. Below is a summary of the current and upcoming grants:
BCP Food & Energy Support Fund
Opens 15th May – Closes midday 7th June 2024
This fund supports local groups addressing the cost of living crisis’s short-term and long-term impacts on local communities. Grants can be used for:
- Free or low-cost food, cooking equipment, or food skills initiatives.
- Energy efficiency items to reduce energy bills and other household essentials.
- Early ‘warmth packs’ for winter.
- Advice or support services, including income maximisation, debt, benefit, and employment advice.
Activities must be delivered from 1st July to 30th September 2024, with no extensions available.
For the Fund Guidance, please CLICK HERE
Community Wellbeing & Mental Health Fund
Opens 24th June – Closes midday 2nd August 2024
The second and final round of this fund offers grants of up to £10,000 for non-clinical, early intervention activities supporting adults with mental health issues. The aim is to improve wellbeing and mental health, reducing the need for clinical NHS interventions. An online Information Event will be held in early July.
For pre-application support, contact Community Action Network:
Email: grantsupport@can100.org
Phone: 01202 46613
For the Fund Guidance, please CLICK HERE
SWEF Enterprise and Business Fund
Open – Applications accepted at any time
This fund offers grants of up to £2000 to young people aged 18-30 who need financial support to advance a new business within its first two years.
For the Fund Guidance, please CLICK HERE
Transparency in Grant-Making
Dorset Community Foundation is committed to transparency in our grant-making. We publish information about the grants awarded at the end of each financial year via 360Giving.
Other Dorset-Based Funders
We provide a comprehensive list of other Dorset-based funders on our website, categorized by the area they support and whether they support groups or individuals in need.
To see the new webpage, please CLICK HERE
Governance Support for Your Organisation
Three organisations in Dorset support voluntary sector groups with governance, recruitment & training, income generation advice, and networking opportunities:
- Community Action Network (CAN): Offers free support across Dorset, plus low-cost training and events.
- Dorset Community Action: Supports groups in the Dorset Council area.
- Volunteer Centre Dorset: Helps find volunteering opportunities and provides training and support for volunteers.
- Help and Kindness: Provides a map of services in Dorset; we recommend groups consider being added to this site.
We hope these initiatives and resources will greatly benefit your community efforts. For more information on these grants and support services, please visit our website.
