Grassroots environmental charities in Dorset are now able to apply for grants of up to £2,000 thanks to a Wessex Water fund run by the Dorset Community Foundation. 

The fund, which is aimed at charities or community groups looking to protect or improve the environment or teach others about the importance of ecological preservation, is open for applications until the 22nd of May.

Wessex Water will put water charities first, along with groups that are looking to reduce the use of single cut plastics, reduce waste, or improve local biodiversity.

Dorset Community Foundation Logo. Credit: Dorset Community Foundation.

Head of community engagement at Wessex Water Kirsty Scarlett said: “The grants will also be targeted at organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.

“Groups eligible are those with charitable aims, registered charities, and community interest companies with an annual income of less than £500,000. Schools and parish councils can apply if they can show community benefit to their project.” 

One recipient from the last grant round in May 2022 was Wilding Wimborne, a charity that protects and enhances the Wimborne insect population. 

The charity was granted £1,500 which went a long way in helping the organisation in its endeavours to stop the use of pesticide in Wimborne, creating a bee trail with 11 ‘bee homes’, creating homes for small mammals and birds, and its house planting programme.

Co-founder of Wilding Wimborne Linda Bunting said: ‘’We were amazed to have been given the grant. We were able to go ahead with the tree planting and make some investment into our events. We have been running everything on a shoestring and it was lovely to be able to put some really decent leaflets out and put some good events on to raise even more awareness.”

Bournemouth’s Grounded Community. Credit: Dorset Community Foundation.

Other successful applicants last year included: The Friendly Food Club, which ran 14 interactive cookery demonstrations in Gillingham and Shaftsbury with its £1,400 grant; Bournemouth’s Grounded Community, which used its £1,500 grant to maintain its community gardens in the town; and Plush Paddock Charitable Incorporated Organization, which used its £1,500 grant to upkeep and improve hedgerows and grassland at the beauty spot near Dorchester.

Dorset Community Foundation director Grant Robson said: “We are absolutely delighted to be continuing our partnership with Wessex Water, and helping to make a real difference to communities in Dorset.

“The company’s generosity and commitment to the area is to be applauded and we are proud that once again it is entrusting our knowledge of the community with its funds to help it make a real impact.”