Dorset Community Foundation

The Foundation funds a wide range of social welfare initiatives across Dorset, including Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. Supported causes include mental health and wellbeing, projects for older people helping them maintain active and independent lives, youth development, community cohesion, and environmental projects. They support non-clinical, community-based work that enhances adult mental health and resilience, with priority given to projects addressing health inequalities and supporting socially excluded or at-risk groups. Collaborative and practical approaches such as social support groups, green prescribing, and activities for carers or those experiencing isolation are emphasised.

Registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, charitable incorporated organisations, and community benefit societies based in Dorset are eligible. The Foundation prioritises smaller grassroots organisations and does not fund national charities, schools, statutory bodies, or individuals. Groups working across Dorset’s diverse coastal, rural, and urban communities are welcome, with a strong emphasis on reaching underserved populations and addressing health inequalities.

The Foundation does not support national charities, schools, or statutory bodies. Individual applicants are also excluded. For specific funds, capital works and research may be excluded, and some programmes do not fund projects benefiting children or young people.

The Foundation offers both one-off and multi-year grants. It supports project delivery, core costs, and salaries. Unsolicited applications are accepted, and the Foundation works in partnership with donors to direct funding to local grassroots groups.