Government funding is the second largest income source for the voluntary sector, behind the public. There was a slight fall of £684 million (4%) in the amount of government - both local and central - funding for the sector in the year to 2019/20. Larger organisations receive much more income from government than smaller ones. The social services sector in particular receives a large proportion of funding from government, both in absolute terms (£5bn) and as a proportion of income (38%)
UK Civil Society Almanac 2022  

Government grant funding can be administered and distributed through a central government department or devolved to a Local Authority, and in some cases Local Authorities will make their own funds available to address local issues. A number of Local Authorities also operate a local lottery which distributes funding to local good causes. In the Dorset area, BH Coastal Lottery gives small grants to community projects that provide services within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
For more information, please visit:

• BH Coastal Lottery
• BCP Council - Support for Voluntary and Community Groups
• Dorset Council - Support for Voluntary and Community Groups
• Central Government Grant Service