Identifying Funding Sources

You can find funding opportunities in a number of different ways:

Grant making trusts

You can find a list of grant-making trusts that smaller groups could apply to here.

CAN have developed a factsheet and template to help you to prepare for making funding applications.

Search for funding online

If your group has income of under £1m a year you can use websites paid for by the local councils. These online tools are free to use and provide information and links to several funding resources, including government, lottery, EU, non-government and charitable trust funding opportunities. It allows you to search for funding opportunities suitable for your organisation or group and browse through information on different types of funders. If you are based in BCP go here, in Dorset Council area go here.”

There are a number of other funding finder sites which are summarised on the attached list.

Online fundraising platforms

CAN have produced some information about a few of the largest sites for generating donations when supporters shop, or for other online giving. Click here.

Funding newsletter

CAN members are regularly sent emails updating them about local, regional and national funding opportunities. 

One-to-one support

If your organisation is based in the Dorset Council area our CAN worker provides a funding advice service, contact [email protected] or 01202 466130

General advice

There are free websites that can give you advice and support on fundraising such as NCVO.

There are also organisations that can provide free 'pro bono' professional advice such as:

• Pimp My Cause (marketing)
• Charity Property Help
• Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme
• CITA (IT volunteers)
• Populo HR (free telephone HR advice every Wednesday from 10 am-12 pm for small charities and social enterprises)

Last updated: 26th April, 2022