CAN membership is completely free to any organisation that is part of the local voluntary and community sector – and if you aren’t sure whether you fit the criteria, just ask. Even if you don’t quite fit the bill, you can still join us as an affiliate member.

Both full and affiliate members have an opportunity to influence the decisions we make, help us strengthen our links with the local community and allow us to truly be the voice of the sector at the highest levels.

Full membership

To join CAN as a full member, you need to be:

• Independent of government and constitutionally self-governing. Either with an unpaid voluntary management committee or where over half are unpaid.
• Value-driven – exist for the good of the community, to promote social, environmental or cultural objectives in order to benefit society as a whole, or particular groups within it
• Not run for financial gain - re-invest any surpluses to further the ‘good’ you create for the community and have an enforceable ‘asset lock’ to prevent private profit (eg if you are a charity or community interest company you will have this in law)
• Providing their service to those in Dorset.

To join us, you can complete the quick and simple online full membership form or complete a printed form by visiting one of our offices. You’ll remain a member until the end of July 2023, after that we’ll check you still wish to be a member. 

Sign up as a Full member Membership responsibilities Privacy Statement How to sign up video

Affiliate membership

Our charitable mission focuses on supporting the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Dorset. However, we are an inclusive charity and want to extend our reach to organisations that are not in the VCS. If your purpose is to improve outcomes for the local community and is not for profit, we welcome you to CAN.

You’ll have access to the many benefits of full membership, but with the following exceptions:

• We can only offer up to five hours in one year, free expert advice and guidance on starting, running and closing your organisation
• We’ll offer you access to training opportunities, project consultations, advertising job vacancies, and our new Quality Mark, but there will be a negotiable fee. Please talk to us for more information
• ‘Know your stuff’ is only available to full members
• We’ll welcome you at our AGM – however, voting and standing for election as a board member is only available to full members.

To join us as an affiliate member, you can either complete the quick and simple affiliate membership form or complete a printed form by visiting our office. You’ll remain a member until the end of July 2023, after that we’ll check you still wish to be a member.

Sign up as an Affiliate member Membership responsibilities Privacy Statement

Business Supporter Membership

An opportunity for local businesses with a ‘social conscience’ to connect with like-minded businesses, charities / community groups and our Council and NHS colleagues, who share a vision for Dorset to be a place where strong, healthy, diverse and vibrant communities flourish.

The voluntary and community sector is hugely diverse and contributes £830 million annually to the local economy. Thousands of people benefit from the support charities and community groups offer and thousands of local people regularly volunteer to support their community. Let’s all work together and flourish forward fairly!

You can join us as a business supporter member for just £25 per annum. You can either complete the quick and simple membership form or complete a printed form by visiting one of our offices. You’ll will need to renew your membership each year.

Sign up as an Business member Membership responsibilities Privacy Statement