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Site was last updated: Sunday 19th May 2013

Testimonials

We cannot thank our funders enough for making this event possible. To see so many families with children who would normally struggle with social activities taking part and enjoying themselves was so heart-warming. The day was an entire success and I'm sure it has helped many improve their confidence by tackling things that they would normally find anxiety provoking.

A Stars - one of the charities funded through Dorset County Community Fund

Dorset County Community Fund

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Dorset County Council recognises and values the potential of organisations of all sizes working across Dorset to deliver outcomes for the communities they serve.

The Dorset County Community Fund has been set up to build the capacity of the voluntary and community sector and parish and town councils in order to deliver stronger services and support for local communities.

Funding Principles

  • The fund will support new or distinct parcels of work, i.e. ‘projects', only. These must have a start and finish date, a budget, specific outcomes and outputs
  • Capital and revenue funding is eligible
  • Continuation funding will not be eligible
  • Funding to develop or enhance existing work is eligible if it improves chances of that work becoming more sustainable and less dependent on grant funding
  • Joint initiatives and projects enabling shared services are eligible
  • Funding for activity before a grant agreement has been confirmed is not eligible

The Fund will not support

  • Individuals
  • Animal Charities
  • Overseas Organisations
  • Hospitals and Hospices
  • Rescue Services
  • Schools or colleges
  • Projects based outside Dorset

This fund has been set up to benefit rural Dorset. If your organisation is based in Bournemouth or Poole you must show that your project  is to  benefit rural Dorset.

The Fund is currently open for applications. The closing date for this round would be the 1:00 p.m. on the 16th August 2013. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application after the 10th October 2013.

We expect applicants to have completed their application within two weeks from applying online through part A to sending us part B and all supporting documents in the post, regardless of the closing date.

How much you can apply for?

Grants up to £7,500

Please consider the following when applying for a grant:

The fund is over subscribed and aims to spread grants across as a wide area as possible.

The fund aims to support small projects that are deliverable upon grant award. If your project is dependent on the outcome of multiple applications to this fund (or to other funds) it will not be supported.

If you feel that multiple applications are appropriate please seek advice from a funding advisor beforehand and then inform us that is your intention to submit more than one application.

We suggest the following steps when applying for the fund:

Step 1.  Print and read the Dorset County Communities Fund criteria and guidance. Applications are assessed for completeness, eligibility, project eligibility, impact and financial need.

Fund Criteria and Guidance Notes

Please also have a look at the Decision Making Process from application to panel

Decision Making Process

Step 2.  If you need some help or advice and support when applying to the fund please find a list of funding advisors across Dorset:

Funding Advisors in Dorset

Step 3.

Application Questions - Not an application form

Online Application Part A

Step  4.  For your application to be complete you will need to fill in  Part A, Part B and submit all the required documents. Part A is filled in online, Part B is sent as an attachment to an email and must be filled in and returned in the post with all the requeired supporting documents.

Community Interest Companies - we cannot fund a CIC with less than 3 directors, two of whom must be unrelated. We will only support set up costs as a CIC by its very status is deemed to be viable and sustainable, therefore this is incompatible with the need for grant funding.

To fund eligible CICs we need to see a clear ‘ Asset Lock' Statement, Memorandum and Articles of Association, plus a CIC 36/37 Public Benefit Statement. These need to be submitted with part B of the Application, and without them it is deemed incomplete.

Please make sure you assign the correct postage before sending applications back to us. Applications with insufficient postage will not be collected from the Post Office. 

We only accept applications by post - we are not able to accept applications submitted by hand.

For any further information call 01202 292255 or email: grants@dorsetcf.org

Funding Tips

  • Application Tips

 

  • Project readiness - If your project costs are more than you are requesting from the fund  and you need to raise funds from other sources, you must be able to show that this will not delay your project. We expect you to be able to start the project within 3 and complete within 15 months.

  • Applying for building works and repairs - please outline in your application whether you own the building and or whether you lease it, if yes - for how long.

  • Please supply us with quotes in your application - it is a good practice to have at least 3 quotes from suppliers.

  • It is very important to elaborate on evidence that your project is needed (consultation, surveys etc.) as well as the outcomes of the project

  • We also assess the financial need of your organisation - if you do not have an approved set of accounts - please provide us with 3 bank statements and projected income and expenditure for the year ahead

CIC Eligibility

CIC Eligibility

We cannot fund a CIC with less than 3 directors, two of whom must be unrelated. We will only support start up costs as a CIC by its very status is deemed to be viable and sustainable, therefore this is incompatible with the need for grant funding.

To fund eligible CICs we need to see a clear ‘Asset Lock' Statement, Memorandum and Articles of Association, plus a CIC 36/37 Public Benefit Statement. These need to be submitted with part B of the Application, and without them it is deemed incomplete.

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