The latest round of Dorset Council's community and culture grants is now open for applications.

The grants are for projects and events for community, arts, accredited museums, heritage, sport, youth, play and physical activity.

So far this year, previous rounds of the council’s Community and Culture Project Fund have provided £277,755 to support both community and cultural projects across Dorset.

In addition, the council was also able to provide much needed funding of £56,570 to support local groups to enhance, adapt and improve their facilities and community spaces.

Cllr Laura Miller, 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 previous rounds of the Community and Culture Project Fund grants have made a huge difference to residents in Dorset, and we look forward to seeing more applications from a wide range of community groups and organisations.”

Groups who are planning innovative and creative projects to engage new people in high quality arts activities in 2024 are encouraged to apply for a grant.

The grants can fund up to £5,000 towards a project that will have a social impact and support local communities and hard to reach groups.

They can provide up to 80 per cent of the total project costs and applicants must raise at least 20 per cent of the project costs themselves.

Cultural applicants must meet one of the council's key priorities and meet at least one cultural outcome listed in from Dorset's cultural strategy.

For a revenue grant to cover core running costs, then applications can be made to the council’s Organisational Support Revenue Fund Round 4.

This fund offers groups the opportunity to apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £10,000 per year for up to two years, starting from April 2024 until end March 2026. 

Cultural themed organisations cannot apply for this round.

Applicants will need to meet the criteria and demonstrate how any work funded will deliver impact and be sustainable beyond two years.

To find out more about eligibility, and how to apply for either grants on the Dorset Council website at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/your-community/support-for-voluntary-and-community-organisations/funding