It’s not too late to apply for grants of up to £5000 for a project that brings communities across Dorset together.

If you’re looking for funding to extend or add value to an existing project or event, or want to kickstart a new initiative that will make a difference for people in your community, time is running out to apply. 

 Round 5 of the Community and Culture Project Fund will close on Sunday 7 July.

The grants, which are managed by Dorset Council, welcome applications for projects and events for community, arts, accredited museums, heritage, sport, youth, play and physical activity.

Last year the grants supported a wide range of local community-based projects that supported stronger healthier communities including arts and crafts, physical activities, sports clubs, warm spaces, foodbanks, environmental and climate, lunch clubs, support for young carers, and cost of living support.

Not for profit groups who meet our funding criteria are welcome to apply for the grant, which can fund up to £5,000 towards a project that will have a social impact and support local communities and hard to reach groups.

A total of £54,420 were awarded to heritage, museums, and arts organisations across the Dorset Council area last year.    

In addition, 27 grants worth a total of £64,970 were awarded to voluntary and community organisations that work with disadvantaged, under served and marginalized communities in the Dorset council area.

You can find out more about eligibility, and how to apply on the Dorset Council website.

Cllr Laura Beddow, Cabinet member for Culture, Communities and Customer Services, said:

“I am very pleased we can provide these small but vital grants to promote a wide range of cultural, heritage and physical activities that enrich the lives of people who live and work in Dorset.

“The scheme has been a real success story over the past couple of years with many exciting projects being supported by the grants to build and develop our communities.”

The closing date for applications is Sunday 7 July at midnight and decision letters will be sent to all applicants at the end of July.