Finding funding to continue your work and realise your dreams for future growth can be difficult. The money you need could come from a wide range of sources including:
Donations from:
- Individuals (including volunteering and legacies)
- Private businesses (including cash, in-kind and employee volunteering)
Trading with:
- Individuals
- Voluntary organisations
- Public sector bodies
- Private businesses
Contracts with:
- Voluntary organisations
- Public sector bodies
- Private businesses
Grants from:
- Trusts and foundations
- Public sector bodies
- Private businesses
- Other providers
Gaining funding through a mix of sources is usually the best way to create a financially sustainable future. To check if your organisation is ready to apply for funding, please review the Funding Ready Flowchart.
The two local councils can help you identify possible sources of grant funding:
- If you are based in the BCP area visit BCP 4 Community
- In Dorset Council area visit Dorset Council Fund Finder.
CAN Members (membership is free) get access to online resources, toolkits and videos and our Funding Advisor Louise Stewart can support CAN members across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole:
- reviewing existing income streams
- identifying potential sources of grant funding
- developing a fundraising strategy
- writing better applications
- reviewing funding bids and applications
CAN host funding training and webinars, and Meet the Funder webinars where you hear a presentation from a funder about their priorities and application process with Q&As.
Contact Bekki Stalker if you are in the Dorset Council area and need help looking at your income.
NOW CLOSED – Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund
We are working in partnership with DCF to deliver this programme and would like to thank NHS Dorset for providing the funding to be distributed. This funding programme is for activities and services for adults only (age 18+) across the Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole). The following grants are available:
- Grants of up to £10,000 for a 6 to 12 month grant period (requests for smaller amounts are welcome)
- Grants of up to £80,000 for a 2 year grant period (groups must be established for a min of two years to apply)
Where possible, please apply for one of the above options, according to the size of your organisation and the cost of the activities you want to apply for. Find more information and how to apply to the Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund – Dorset Community Foundation.
CAN are offering enhanced support for groups applying to this programme; to check if groups are funding ready, to provide advice on your proposal and how it fits with the fund priorities, and to help with specific areas where additional guidance may be helpful e.g. how to measure outcomes.
To access 1 to 1 support contact grantsupport@can100.org / 01202 466130. For the full Fund Guidance please CLICK HERE
Watch a recording of the information event below.
Empowering Charities & Community Groups