Dorset Community Foundation
dorsetcommfound.bsky.social
Dorset Community Foundation
@dorsetcommfound.bsky.social
We help people give back to Dorset to improve the lives of others. Our expertise inspires donors to give to those most in need and since 2000 we have awarded more than £20 million in grants.
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org

Thanks to our partnership with BPC Council, we've awarded £80,000 to 23 groups providing warm hubs, food parcels and vouchers, community meals, cookery workshops and money advice for people struggling with the cost of living. Read more: ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/news/bcp-foo...
November 20, 2025 at 8:30 AM
It's always lovely to see our funding in action so it was great to get these pictures of The Powerhouse Poole's Upcycling Café Session as part of its Winter Warm Hub, which is funded by our BCP Food & Energy Support Fund.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
BCP Council's BH Coastal Lottery gives grants of up to £2,500 to community projects providing services in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and applications are now open until January 4. Check eligibility and find out how to apply here: ⬇️
www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/communities/...
November 17, 2025 at 9:03 AM
We really enjoyed our visit to High Mead Farm at Ferndown to hear about their therapeutic work with adults with a whole host of issues and needs, including mental health issues, dementia, additional needs and a host of others.
It's a wonderful place with a great team of staff and volunteers.
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Each year in #Dorset hundreds of older people are at risk of death from cold-related illness.
Our Surviving Winter appeal works with Citizens Advice to provide £200 energy grants to get them through those dangerous colder months. You can donate here:
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/appeals/surv...
November 13, 2025 at 9:19 AM
We had another good day with our trustees yesterday when we used the findings of our Hidden Dorset report to inspire an action plan for the months ahead.
You can read the report here: ⬇️
hidden.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
On Friday we had an excellent day with our trustees discussing the findings of our Hidden Dorset report, led by Prof Mel Hughes and researcher Stevie Corbin-Clarke of @buresearch.bsky.social. Thanks to everyone who took part.
You can read the report here: ⬇️
hidden.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Today we are launching our 15th Surviving Winter appeal, in partnership with Dorset Citizens Advice. Your donations will allow us to make £200 energy grants to older and vulnerable people. More details here: ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/news/survivi...
November 3, 2025 at 7:21 AM
In Jolly Company has used funding from our Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund towards its Step Outside days working outdoors on its allotment at Kingston Lacy. It provides fresh air, companionship, stimulation and a lot of fun.
October 31, 2025 at 9:11 AM
As part of our EDC project we're funding Overcomers Outreach to provide support & advocacy to people in #Bournemouth – helping with food & clothes banks, domestic abuse, addiction and homelessness – working with Dorset Race Equality, Community Action Network and the National Community Lottery Fund.
October 30, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Our Superior STEM Bursary Fund, in partnership with #Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals, is supporting disadvantaged young people aged 16-25 on STEM courses with bursaries of up to £1,500.
Find out more and how to apply here: dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/.../superior...
October 29, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Dorset Lord Lieutenant Michael Dooley has launched a Fund for Creating Harmony in the Community. It empowers young people, helps iex-offenders rebuild their lives, tackles loneliness, encourages creativity and strengthens leadership. Read more here: ⬇️
dorsetlieutenancy.org.uk/the-lord-lie...
October 28, 2025 at 9:25 AM
If you know a young person from a household with under £35k income who has begun a vocational college course, they could be entitled to up to £1k towards costs of travel, meals, equipment and more. Find out about eligibility and how to apply here: ⬇️
dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/funds/dcf-bu...
October 23, 2025 at 7:17 AM
If you're writing a grant application or a case for support our online Hidden Dorset report is packed with statistics, analysis and first hand accounts of the challenges faced by people across the county. Read it here: ⬇️
hidden.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org
October 21, 2025 at 8:18 AM
A grant from our Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund, in conjunction with NHS Dorset, Access Wellbeing Hubs and Community Action Network, funded Island Community Action's Woolly Wonderland, which featured dozens of knitted creations and has attracted thousands of visitors to Portland.
October 20, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Planet Purbeck have created a lovely webpage chronicling their Thrive In Nature course, funded by our Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund. It shows how spending time outdoors helped people reconnect with nature to strengthen their resilience. See it here: ⬇️
planetpurbeck.org/thrive-in-na...
October 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
The fabulous Vita Nova's uplifting play Hopefool, supported by our Performing Arts Fund, is having one final performance at Vita Nova in #Boscombe on Friday at 6:30pm. Entry is free, booking details are below.
October 16, 2025 at 7:38 AM
🚨 CLOSING SOON! Our Wessex Water Community Fund, which offers grants up to £4,000 for projects meeting a local need, or to improve the lives of local people most in need of support, closes at midday on Monday. Details and how to apply here: ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/funds/wessex...
October 15, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Our friends at The Power House Poole are looking for growers, gardeners and food projects in #Hamworthy, #Poole and the surrounding area to get in touch with growing@powerhousepoole.org to set up a food network to make the most of surplus produce and reducing food waste. What a great idea.
October 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
🚨 CLOSING SOON! Applications for grants of up to £6,500 from our BCP Food & Energy Support Fund close at midday on Monday. Get details of eligibility and how to apply here: ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/funds/bcp-fo...
October 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
More than 20 students have been awarded a share of almost £16,000 to help with the cost of vocational courses at college from our DCF Bursary Scheme so far this term. The fund is still open for applications here until February 2. ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/funds/dcf-bu...
October 9, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation is offering grants of up to £10k to small charities for projects, core costs and smal capital outlays. The deadline for applications is October 31. Apply here: ⬇️
www.skiptoncharitablefoundation.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The B&Q Foundation is offering grants up to £10k for projects improving homes and community spaces for people facing homelessness, financial hardship, health challenges, or other disadvantages. Applications open on Oct 20 and close on Nov 7. Details here:
bqfoundation.org.uk/apply-for-a-...
October 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Our Wessex Water Community Fund is open for applications until October 20. It offers grants of up to £4,000 for groups running projects that bring people together and strengthen communities. More details and how to apply ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/funds/wessex...
October 2, 2025 at 7:48 AM
We care about how we deal with the groups we fund and the donors we work with so we regularly ask for feedback. It helps improve our service and makes applying for grants smoother. These quotes are from our new impact report, which is here: ⬇️
www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/u...
October 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM