Deadline: 19-May-25
The Dorset Community Foundation is pleased to deliver this funding programme in partnership with Wessex Water, supporting charitable and community activities that improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the local environment for local people.
Priorities
- Priorities for this programme are:
- Reduction in water use
- Improving environmental sustainability in the local area
- Improvements in local biodiversity
Funding Information
- You can apply for up to £2000 towards a project/activity covering a period up to 12 months.
Expected Outcomes
- Applications must demonstrate one of more of the following outcomes:
- Involving communities in environmental activities that benefit their local area
- Restoring, maintaining or enhancing the local natural environment
- Engaging people in supporting the local natural environment
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be based and working in Dorset or Ringwood.
- Applicants must have an annual income of less than £500,000. This programme is targeted at organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference, so they will also consider your access to other sources of funding and prioritise where it can make the biggest impact.
- 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
- Schools and parish councils may also apply if they can demonstrate community benefit.
- To be eligible the organisation must have:
- At least 3 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
- They do not normally fund organisations which hold more than 12 months of annual expenditure in unrestricted reserves, unless it is clear why these reserves cannot be used to cover the cost of the activity.
Ineligibility Criteria
- They do not fund national charities, including those with distinct services in Dorset
- You cannot apply to the Wessex Water Foundation Environment Fund if you are currently receiving Partners Programme funding from Wessex Water, or if you received a Wessex Water Community Fund grant in late 2024
- You cannot apply to more than one Community Foundation at the same time for a grant from the Wessex Water Environment Fund
- Water refill points
- General landscaping and planting
- Applications from individuals
- 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
- Activities which are a statutory responsibility
- They cannot fund animal welfare organisations (except activities that directly relate to improving local biodiversity)
- They cannot offer retrospective funding for items already purchased or work completed
- General appeals including for capital building projects
- Events
- Activities that raise funds for other organisations
For more information, visit Dorset Community Foundation.