Finding the money 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 pay for websites that 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.
You can contact Steve Place (if you are in BCP) or Bekki Stalker (in Dorset Council area) for help looking at your income. We also put on training sessions and Meet the Funder webinars where you can hear a presentation from a funder about their priorities and application process with Q&As (see here for current training programme).
CAN Members (membership is free) have access to more online resources, toolkits and videos and to our Funding Advisor. Louise Stewart can provide one to one support to CAN members across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, including:
- reviewing existing income streams
- identifying potential sources of grant funding
- developing a fundraising strategy
- writing a better application
- reviewing funding bids and applications.
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.
Watch a recording of the information event below.
EMPOWERING the sector