Do you run, lead or host an organisation or activity which plays a key role in your community? Are you a voluntary sector club or venue which has been paused during the pandemic? Apply now for funds from the Dorset Community Restart Grant Programme.
Dorset Council’s funding can help you to make a difference to our communities. We want to encourage activity back into our community hubs across the county and support our communities to thrive. This funding supports our ‘Strong and Healthy Communities’ council priority.
Apply for a Community Recovery Grant
The fund is now open to enable community venues, organisations and groups, working at local community level, to restart their activities that have been suspended over the past year due to the pandemic.
We have two new grants available which offer small one-off grants between £500 – £2,000:
- Village Halls and Community Spaces Support Grant
- Dorset Community Restart Grant
These grants are specifically for voluntary and community sector organisations who have not been able to operate due to the Government restrictions.
Our focus for these grants will be to make one-off grants to cover core costs or essential equipment, to enable ongoing service provision or support community venues to re-open.
Charities, parish councils and constituted community groups can apply for sums between £500 and £2,000 to enable community venues, organisations and groups, working at local community level, to restart their activities that have been suspended over the past year due to the pandemic.
Do you meet the fund criteria?
Applicants will need to meet the council’s eligibility criteria which requires:
- activity must be delivered in the Dorset Council area
- Your annual income should be less than £100,000.
Read more about the eligibility criteria for the Dorset Community Recovery Grant.
How to apply
Applications can only be submitted online and must be completed by Sunday 25 July.
Gather the information you need for your application and apply to the Dorset Community Recovery Grants today.
Cllr Jill Haynes Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said:
Since March 2020 we have all experienced restrictions to varying degrees, and the devastating impact lockdowns have had on some of our most vulnerable communities is yet to be fully realised.
The Dorset Community Recovery Grants programme is therefore vital in ensuring we can quickly and successfully get those lifeline groups, events and projects back up and running in a safe way, so that they can resume doing their work in supporting mental and physical health, and increasing social connectivity.
Organisers of clubs, groups, venues and schemes can apply for grants of between £500 and £2,000, to help get activities up and running again.
Next steps
The fund is open from 14 June – 25 July 2021.
Grant awards will be made in August with the expectation that activity will start in the autumn.
Read more Dorset Council news.
Dear Cllr. Haynes,
The West End Community Association ( Charity No: 301175) has served the Community in Sherborne since 1970. We have had some grant support from the Council but
we could use a Community Recovery Grant now to prepare for the return of some of our hall users. We would be happy to allow a period of free hire to some organisations to help them to get up and running again.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Peter Shorland.
Hi. I am a Trustee of Pilgrim House hope square Weymouth . We are owned and run by the Weymouth Rotary Club And provide meeting space and offices for various groups . Are we qualified for one of the council grants , we have received help from the Government grants but as you can imagine new funds are always welcome . Regards Robbie Feltham
Good stuff thanks I will put the word out