FOR more than 25 years we have been a trusted and respected funder in Dorset – but we want to ensure out grant-making remains as clear and open as possible.

That’s why we’ve committed to the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR)’s principles of Open and Trusting Grant-making – and aligning with its eight commitments to continually assess how we fund and collaborate with the grass roots charities and voluntary organisations we support.

We do this so they can focus on what matters most, strengthening their communities.

A key part of this is respecting applicants’ time. We design proportionate application processes, remove unnecessary questions and actively encourage groups to speak to us before applying. By learning from our applicants and gathering regular feedback, we continuously refine our guidance so it is clear, accessible and helps groups decide whether to apply.

We are focused on asking only what’s needed. We review our forms regularly to ensure questions are relevant, easy to understand and supported by helpful guidance. We avoid duplication by not requesting information we already hold, and tailor requirements depending on the size of the grant.

We also recognise the importance of accepting risk. Much of our funding supports small, volunteer-led and early-stage groups. We value lived experience and local knowledge over polished applications, and where possible, we work with organisations to strengthen their capacity rather than exclude them.

Acting with urgency matters too, so we seek to make decisions within six weeks, with faster turnaround for time-sensitive programmes, and we adapt quickly in times of crisis, just as we did during the pandemic.

We are clear and open about our work and we publish our grants, share success rates and provide feedback to applicants while remaining flexible in how funding is used, including supporting core costs and adapting grants where needed. We are signed up to 360Giving to be transparent about the grants we make and are regulated by the Funding Regulator.

By communicating clearly, being proportionate in our requirements and continuing to learn, we are building a more trusting, responsive approach to grant-making that continues to serve Dorset’s communities.

Read more about our IVAR commitment here (click on our logo). Read about 360Giving here.