Deadline: 11-Oct-24
The Dorset Community Foundation has launched the Dorset Welcome Fund Program to support local community groups offering activities and services to welcome and support refugees/asylum seekers of any nationality who are arriving, residing or settling in Dorset.
Funding Information
- Grants of up to £5,000 are available. Applications for small amounts are very welcome.
- (New groups who have been operating less than six months may apply for up to £2,000 only.)
- The activities funded must start within two months of the award and groups have up to 12 months to spend the grant.
Eligible Activities
- Activities should focus on supporting wellbeing, community cohesion and participation in community activities.
- Examples of activities and services include (but are not limited to):
- Community events and social activities to address isolation and support people to connect with other refugees and with the wider community
- Existing wellbeing activities that have been adapted or targeted towards the inclusion of refugees/asylum seekers
- Cultural heritage activities with children and young people, especially those who may return to the country from which they fled (e.g. Ukraine)
- Services to support improved wellbeing or mental health
- Advice and advocacy support
- Activities supporting English language skills
- Activities supporting routes into employment or volunteering
- Supply of practical personal or household items to address hardship such as clothing, bedding, mobile phones
Eligibility Criteria
- Groups must be local to Dorset. They do not fund national charities but can fund local branches if they have independent governance and are financially independent.
- Organisations that can apply:
- Registered charities
- Constituted community and voluntary organisations
- Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee
- Companies limited by guarantee that have a clear not-for-profit clause in their governing document and clear charitable or social objectives
- To be eligible the organisation must have:
- At least three unrelated people responsible for running the organisation (for registered charities these are your Trustees, for CICs/Social Enterprises these are your directors)
- A written constitution or set of rules that sets out the purpose and management of the organisation
- A bank account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated signatories required for payments
- An appropriate Safeguarding Policy and EDI policy
Ineligibility Criteria
- Schools are not eligible but they can fund PTA groups if they meet the eligibility guidelines
- They cannot fund the promotion of religion or political causes – faith-based organisations should advise whether funded activities are designed to, or include elements that are designed to influence people’s religious choices
- They cannot fund public bodies to carry out their statutory obligations
- They cannot fund animal welfare organisations
- They cannot offer retrospective funding for items already purchased or work completed
- Organisations with more than 12 months’ unrestricted reserves are usually not funded
- Grants cannot be used to award cash to individuals or households
For more information, visit Dorset Community Foundation.