Dorchester Market Car Boot Fund

The Dorchester Markets Joint Informal Panel holds Sunday car boot sales every week to raise money for local charities, community and voluntary organisations. The money raised is distributed every year through a grants panel. The panel is made up of councillors from both Dorset Council and Dorchester Town Council.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for funding, you must:

• undertake that the grant will be used to benefit projects operating or supporting residents living within a 6.67 mile radius of the market and within the Dorset Council boundary
• be a voluntary, non-profit-making group or charity operated with no undue restriction on membership
• demonstrate good management, be constituted, have written policies, hold regular management committee meetings and be able to provide up to date accounts
• have an appropriate safeguarding policy if you are working with children and young people or vulnerable adults
• demonstrate the need for your project and how the community will benefit

What we can fund

We can fund things like:

• running costs for example office costs or insurance
• costs associated with out-of-pocket expenses for volunteers such as travel
• capital expenditure such as equipment, improvements to buildings
• contribution to setting up a new community activity or event
• regular annual events (you can apply but the panel may not consider these a priority)

What we can’t fund

We cannot fund:

• ongoing staff costs (including salaries of permanent or fixed term staff)
• any expenditure for item or service that has already been ordered or paid for
• anything that has already been funded by a different source
• items or services that only benefit an individual
• loan repayments, topping up of accounts or transferring money to another group/charity
• activities or services that schools have a statutory responsibility to provide e.g.  curriculum based activities or any activity taking place during curriculum time. Projects submitted by PTAs/Friends of Schools must take place before or after school, during lunchtime or in the holidays
• fundraising activities for your organisation or others
• used vehicles/routine repairs and maintenance
• parish and town councils

Grants and funding

Grants we award:

• are for up to £1500
• can be used to support running costs and equipment
• should be spent within 12 months of the award

Your application will be considered by a panel consisting of councillors from both Dorset Council and Dorchester Town Council. The panel have the discretion to award funding in full, in part or not at all. 

We may offer a grant in principle, which we will release when all other funding to start the project has been secured. If you are unable to complete this we may ask for the money back.

Once you have funding for your project, you must:

• send us invoices/receipts relating to the funding
• complete an end of grant report form to say how the money has been used
• spend the money as you said you would in your application
• return any unspent funds
• tell us if you change the project from what you described in your application

How to apply

As part of your application, you will need to submit:

• a copy of your most recent annual accounts
• a copy of your organisation’s latest bank statement
• quotations for capital items over £500
• a copy of your constitution/ terms of reference/ set of rules
• child or vulnerable adult safeguarding policy if relevant
• a copy of your equal opportunities policy

If you are unable to complete the online form, you can pick up a paper copy from Dorchester Town Council, 19, North Square, Dorchester DT1 1JF.

Advice on governance and policies

Community Action Network can offer advice and support with your application if you need help with your governance or policies. Contact Community Action Network on hello@can100.org.

Data sharing

We will share basic data regarding your application with other local grant managers/funding streams. This will enable us to make informed funding decisions, avoid duplication of funding and ensure value for money is achieved through our grant making processes. We will also make sure that your data is stored appropriately. See our Data Privacy and GDPR policy.

Freedom of information

The details of this application will be available for public inspection. If you are unsure what this means, contact us to discuss your concerns.

Contact us