The Communities Caring for Heritage Grants Programme provides funding for community projects which involve learning about, celebrating, and improving natural and cultural heritage.
Communities Caring for Heritage Aims
This grants programme aims to enable communities to conserve and enhance the wonderful cultural and natural landscape of their area, and to help more people to learn about and enjoy their fantastic heritage.
The projects that the grant scheme supports also help to tell the story of the people and landscape from a community perspective.
The grants scheme supports activities at a community level that complement activities which form part of the wider Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Who can apply?
The grants programme is only open to ‘not for profit’ organisations that fall into one or more of the following categories:
- A community or voluntary group/organisation
- A registered charity
- A social enterprise or other non-profit making organisation
- A parish council
- A school
- A church
The following cannot apply for a community grant:
- Individuals
- Private businesses
- Any other organisation (formal or informal in structure) with the ability to distribute funds and/or assets among its members
If you are unsure whether you can apply or not, or have any questions about how the grants programme works, please email the Scheme Manager Jonathan Monteith – Jonathanmonteith@cranbornechase.org.uk
How does it work?
Do you have a great idea for a project?
We’re inviting you to make an application for funding to create interesting and exciting projects which involve people local people in learning about, celebrating, and improving their natural and cultural heritage. If you have a great idea for a project that you think would be suitable, please read the guidance document and complete the Expression of Interest form.
Completed forms can then be sent to the Scheme Manager Jonathanmonteith@cranbornechase.org.uk at any time.
If your project has potential, we will then help you proceed to a full application form which will be emailed to you.
Fund Objectives
In order to receive funding, projects must contribute to at least one of the following objectives:
- Conserving, protecting, and/ or enhancing natural, historic or cultural heritage.
- Helping people learn about their natural, historic or cultural heritage.
- Helping communities celebrate the natural, historic or cultural heritage.
- Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of the Cranborne Chase and Chalke Valley area for residents and those working in or visiting it.
Examples of Projects
Examples of projects that are likely to be eligible are:
- Restoring an historical site such as a dew pond.
- Creating a new village walking trail with information leaflets or boards.
- Organising a new event featuring traditional crafts or focusing on an historical event.
- Setting up a volunteer opportunity contributing to the Chase and Chalke Landscape Partnership objectives such as hosting a volunteering weekend for visitors to work on a particular natural or built heritage site.
If you would like to discuss any project ideas please contact Scheme Manager Jonathan Monteith by email jonathanmonteith@cranbornechase.org.uk.
Application Deadlines and When to Apply
You can send us your Expression of interest form anytime, or call to discuss your ideas so you can fill our a full application form.
Deadlines for full applications come around each year on the following dates:
31st March
30th June
30th September
31st December
On these dates your full final applications will be put through to the Grants Panel for assessment to be decided upon.
Full guidance for applicants and the Expression of Interest form can be found here:
Expressions of Interest forms should be sent to the LPS Manager in the first instance for assessment, before progressing to a full application if the project fits the criteria. All grant applications will then be assessed by the Grants Panel who will meet to assess and make decisions on applications received within 6 weeks of the application window closing.