This fund is currently CLOSED.
The annual funding round of this programme will open again in Spring 2027
The aim of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented is to ensure that every young person has the same opportunities to develop their sporting talent regardless of background, financial or personal circumstances. We want to ‘level the playing field’.
Grants of up to £1,000 will be given towards kit/clothing costs, competition fees, coaching, travel costs and accommodation (not an exhaustive list).
Applicant eligibility
- Applicants must have a home address in Dorset
- Applicants must be age 14 – 21
- Applicants must have a sporting talent which has been recognised or acknowledged by an appropriate national governing body
- Applicants must be unable to achieve their ambitions without help due to financial or personal circumstance
- The activities that the application relates to, must start within eight months of our grant offer
- The fund does not support community groups, sports clubs, schools or statutory organisations
Application process
- Applicants must complete the application form and provide a copy of a recent bank statement (to confirm bank details if you are successful) and two letters of endorsement from relevant individuals. One should be from representative of a national governing body
- Your application will be submitted to a Grants Panel so it is very important that you complete all sections of the form and tell us what difference the grant will make to you. If you need equipment please let us know why, describe what you require and provide a quote or web page link if possible
- If you are purchasing equipment you must send us copies of receipts as soon as items are purchased
- You must spend the money awarded within one year of receipt
- We will ask for a short progress report approximately six months after the grant is awarded, to see how you’re getting on and how the grant has helped you. We may also ask you to meet with individuals who may be interested in supporting this fund
- Up to three grants may be awarded to an individual over a period of time, provided the applicant has shown real improvement and requires further support in order to progress further
- The fund, awards made from it, and individual success stories will be publicised. You may request anonymity
- If you are requesting funding for petrol, this should be calculated at 45p per mile
- If the item you are requesting costs more than £1000, we will need to understand where you will be raising the remaining amount of money from.
When to apply?
This Fund is currently Closed.
The annual funding round of this programme will open in Spring 2027
How to apply?
Before you apply please make sure you have read through the Young Talented Criteria Guidance.
To make an account with us and apply to the fund, click HERE
If you have a problem filling in the application or may need it in an alternative format please get in touch.
(applications without two Letters of Support will be considered incomplete and will not be processed).
Guidance for Referees:
· Please tell us how long you have known the applicant and in what capacity.
· Please describe your understanding and experience of the applicant’s talent and their potential to excel in the performing arts. (Please include the level that has been achieved so far – this may be formal examinations or certificates, or your judgement of their equivalent level.)
· Please describe your understanding of the applicant’s personal circumstances and/or why they need financial support to pursue their career ambitions.
· The letter of endorsement will be treated as confidential within Dorset Community Foundation and the members of the panel for the Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Young & Talented.
In order for us to follow our decision-making process, the information given in your application will be shared with our independent panel members and/or donors as appropriate. Panel members are subject to a confidentiality agreement. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information on data sharing and storage.
If you would like further advice on applying, please contact the Individual Grants Manager, Alice Cable on 1202 155843 or at Bursary@dorsetcf.org.
