We have been asked to alert you to the funding opportunities below by Dorset Council:
The latest round of Community and Culture Project grants is now open for applications.
The grant, which are managed by Dorset Council, welcomes applications for projects and events for community, arts, accredited museums, heritage, sport, youth, play and physical activity in the Dorset Council area. We cannot support organisations in the Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole area (BCP).
Groups who are planning innovative and creative projects to engage new people in high quality arts activities in 2024 are encouraged to apply for a grant. We also want to fund heritage projects that aim to include all members of the community especially those priority groups who don’t normally access cultural opportunities.
The Community & Culture Project grants can provide funding of between £1,000 and £5,000 towards activities/events that will have a social impact and support local communities and hard to reach groups.
Applicants must raise at least 20% of their project costs themselves. Application is via the councils online application form and closes midnight on Monday 8 January 2024. If successful, projects will need to start by April 2024 and be completed within 12 months of an award.
Cultural applicants (arts, heritage, museums) must meet one of the Councils key priorities and at least one cultural outcome listed in Dorset’s cultural strategy. Full details are contained on the webpage.
Revenue Grants
If you are looking for a revenue grant to cover core running costs, then you can apply to the council’s Organisational Support Revenue Fund Round 4
The fund offers not for profit voluntary and community sector organisations the opportunity to apply for a grant of between £5,000 - £10,000 per annum for up to two years starting April 2024 until end March 2026. Applicants will need to submit a costed Business Plan up until 2027 and demonstrate how our revenue grant will enable the organisation to deliver high quality and measurable outcomes that meet our priorities in the Dorset council area. Applications close on 8 January 2024.
There is no match funding required for this grant fund, but we will require applicants to demonstrate how any work funded will deliver impact and be sustainable beyond two years. For more details visit Dorset Council website. Please note that Cultural organisations (projects) cannot apply for this round.
Capital Leverage Fund – not for profit community groups (including arts, heritage, museums, youth and sports) looking to develop, refurbish, adapt or improve their community space, facility or venue can apply for a capital grant of up to 20% of their total project costs (up to a max of £25,000). Successful applicants will need to demonstrate how they will raise the remaining funds for their project. The current round closes midnight on Monday 8 January 2024. For more details visit Capital Leverage Fund - Dorset Council
National Lottery Community Fund – small grants programme for community-led projects. Grants of between £300 - £20,000 available to support local community projects for up to two years.
Alternatively, having read our guidance and criteria you would like to talk to an Officer about your project/event the following Officers can help you:
Communities
- Ian Wells, Grants Officer, email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Fiona Thomas, Community Engagement Officer, email
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Cultural (arts, heritage, museums)
- Tracy Cooper, Recreation and Culture Officer, email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Vicky Dewitt, Museums Advisor for BCP and Dorset Councils, email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Sarah Davies, Sports Development Officer (Sports and Physical activity) email
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Support & Help
Need support developing your organisations governance, business plan or policies e.g. safeguarding ?
Dorset Council works with Community Action Network (CAN) who provide advice, support, training and guidance to the voluntary and community sector (VCS). If you need help with your policies before applying or want to access more training for your workforce, volunteers or trustees then get in touch with Bekki Stalker email
Alternatively, to find out more about their offer visit their website and training pages Community Action Network (can100.org)
Looking for funding for your organisation or group?
We know that securing funding for your project/activity is time consuming and hard work. Take a look at Funder Finder grant search tool. Its FREE to register and in less than two minutes you will be able to access details across hundreds of local, regional and national funders. To find out more visit Dorset Fundfinder - Dorset Council
And finally…..some more breaking news: AWARDS FOR ALL
Kirsty Main at Dorset Council a relatively new grants programme known as the ‘Awards for All’ and these have just doubled to a maximum £20,000 per annum.
The other main change is that if groups prefer, they can now apply for project deliver over 2 years (previously one year). This is the link to the programme for applying:
https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england
