If you’d like to apply for a direct grant, your scheme must support local people.
When you apply for Capital Grants Programme, your organisation will need to prove that it has - or can raise at least 25% match funding.
We offer a range of funding, supporting capital projects, initiatives that meet with our strategic criteria, and annual contributions to causes within our area of benefit.
Funding Programmes 2025:
Small Grants Programme:
- Up to £5,000 per grant
- Supports: Core/operating costs, project costs, small capital items (e.g., equipment, minor repairs).
- Total funding pot: £100,000
- Open to organisations with an annual turnover under £250,000
- Decision: mid/end of October
Capital Programme:
- Requests of £10,000 or more
- Supports: Purchase, refurbishment or repair of buildings or physical spaces, investment in physical or IT assets, accessibility improvements
- Total funding pot: £250,000
- Open to organisations that can demonstrate the capital expenditure is planned and integrated into their broader organisational strategy
- Providing a minimum 1 year of signed accounts
- Decision: end of November
Annual regular giving to Talbot Village
- St Mark’s CE Primary School
- St Mark’s CE Church
- University Chaplaincy
To Apply
Our new Grant Programmes are now open. To apply, visit the Application Page.
For more information, visit our FAQ section.
“We wanted to learn more about the world we live in and what this may look like in the future, hearing from experts in the immediate area, as well as those living and working across the whole county.”
— Nick Ashley-Cooper, Chairman
Our ambitions
Systemic change
Address those more complex and difficult problems facing our society recognising that long term systemic change is more challenging than programmatic funding.
Support of marginalised groups
Ensure that marginalised groups are not failed or hidden from view and amplifying the voice of those less often seen and heard.
Cross-sector collaboration
Work more closely with others to support charities and related organisations, enhancing cross-sector coordination and communication.
In 2021, we explored some of the key issues facing Dorset, both now and in the future.
Our Dorset 2050 report captures the voices of those living and working in our area, as well as those of over 70 leading experts and practitioners in areas of health and wellbeing, social care, charity, and local government.
