Whilst the arts teams work in partnership with and help support many of the arts organisations across Dorset, we cannot unfortunately fund individuals. However here you can find links to the most popular trust and grant fund opportunities at the national and local level.

Alternatively, you can carry out your own search using  Funding Central (opens in a new window) .

National sources of grant funding:

Arts Council England Funding and Grants Information (opens in a new window)  including Awards For All and Grants for the Arts

Big Lottery Fund (opens in a new window)

Heritage Lottery Fund (opens in a new window)

Comic Relief Grants (opens in a new window)  administered locally by Dorset Community Foundation (opens in a new window)

Local council sources of grant funding:

Community grants (REDIRECT)

East Dorset Year of Celebration 2012 Community Grant Fund - closing date 12 noon 30 December 2011

You can look at the Grant form notes (pdf, 832kb) (opens in a new window)  and download the application form here  Grant form online (pdf, 968kb) (opens in a new window)

West Dorset  Countryside and conservation grant scheme

West Dorset  -  For Information about Small Arts Grants see Grants and development fund

Dorset Community Action:

Dorset Community Action - Funding advice (opens in a new window)

Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB):

Dorset AONB Sustainable Development Fund (opens in a new window)

A selection of Charitable Trusts -

This is by no means a complete list.

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation (opens in a new window)

Paul Hamlyn Foundation (opens in a new window)

Idlewild Turst (opens in a new window)

Sky Arts Ignition Series (opens in a new window)

Hilton Foundation (opens in a new window)

Prince's Trust (opens in a new window)

Wellcome Trust Arts Award (opens in a new window)

O2 Grant awards (opens in a new window)

V Inspired - Cashpoint (opens in a new window)

Wakeham Trust (opens in a new window)

• Grants from East Dorset District Council

  The council's Grant Aid Schemes are designed to assist voluntary organisations and individuals who would not otherwise be able to attract sufficient resources to support their projects and activities on a self help basis.

• Art Grants from West Dorset District Council

  West Dorset District Council has a Cultural Development Officer who offers advice and support on developing arts and museums projects and applying for funding.