Dorset Coronavirus Community Fund

The Dorset Coronavirus Community Fund supports local charities and voluntary organisations that are assisting some of Dorset’s most vulnerable people during the Coronavirus epidemic.

Funds for phase 3 have been donated by Dorset Council and the Co-op. We thank them for supporting our Dorset Coronavirus Community Appeal.

Dorset Coronavirus Community Fund

The fund is now CLOSED for applications.

We are now in the third and final phase of this emergency funding programme. Groups should read the below summary AND the Full Fund Criteria before applying. Phase 3 will support voluntary groups addressing food insecurity where there are emerging or increasing needs in their communities as a result of hardship directly caused or exacerbated by the pandemic. Projects/services must be providing healthy, nutritious food directly to the public at low cost for those who cannot afford it.

Grants of up to £7,500 are available, or up to £2,000 for new groups.

Groups must have annual expenditure less than £500,000 according to their latest accounts and meet our eligibility requirements (in Full Fund Criteria).

Groups funded in phase 1 or 2 may apply for a phase 3 grant.

All grants should be fully spent by 31st March 2021. Please note: extensions to the grant period beyond March 2021 cannot be offered and unspent funds remaining must be returned to DCF.

We can support any and all costs related to eligible services that meet Fund criteria, including staff costs, volunteer expenses and training, perishable and non-perishable goods, small capital items such as remote working equipment and protective equipment, overheads and core costs. We cannot award retrospective funds for items/costs already paid.

Eligibility

  • ONLY groups with annual expenditure less than £500,000 according to latest accounts, are eligible to apply.  (This is due to the amount available for distribution against anticipated high demand and is in line with our usual priorities to support small grassroots groups).
  • Local registered charities, Constituted Community Groups, CICs and Social Enterprises may apply to the Fund.

Exclusions

  • Individuals cannot apply.
  • National charities cannot apply.
  • Statutory bodies including Parish and Town councils cannot apply.
  • Schools cannot apply and PTA groups cannot be funded to support the delivery of education (including adapted/online delivery) or improvements to premises.
  • Grants for the provision of cash bursaries to individuals or families are not eligible.
  • Retrospective grants for expenditure already incurred are not eligible, unless the application is to replace loss of income caused directly by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Applying to the Fund

  • You MUST read the Full Fund Criteria (below) before applying to avoid disappointment.
  • Groups awarded a grant in phase 1 or 2 of the Fund are NOT required to submit supporting documents unless you have a more recent set of annual accounts or a different bank account, in which case you should submit your accounts or a recent bank statement.
  • Please note that in the case of applications for activity in the Dorset Council area, the information in your application, excluding name and personal details of the main applicant, may be shared with Dorset Council staff members assessing applications to the Dorset Community Impact Fund, Round 5. This will assist both funders to make best possible use of funds available for Dorset groups.
  • Groups in recent receipt of DEFRA funding may be ineligible – please contact the Grants Manager

For the Full Fund Criteria please CLICK HERE.

The fund is now CLOSED for applications.

We aim to distribute grants to successful applicants on or around 30th November.

If you have any queries please contact the Grants Manager, Ellie Maguire: grants@dorsetcf.org / 07592 032666.