Apply Now: Capital Leverage Fund Round 7 (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 10-Jan-2027

The Capital Leverage Fund Round 7 provides grants of £1,000 to £25,000 to eligible not-for-profit community and cultural organisations in the Dorset Council area for capital projects that improve facilities and benefit local residents. The fund can contribute up to 20% of eligible project costs, with applicants required to secure matching external funding before the grant is released. What Is the Capital Leverage Fund Round 7? The Capital Leverage Fund is a funding programme established by Dorset Council to help community and cultural organisations secure additional investment for capital projects. The fund supports improvements that create, renovate, or enhance facilities used by local communities. It is particularly relevant to projects that improve accessibility, address disadvantage, strengthen cultural provision, or deliver environmental and climate-related benefits. The programme is intended to leverage additional funding. Applicants therefore need to demonstrate that other external funding will match the Capital Leverage Fund contribution. Capital Leverage Fund Grant Amount

Applicants can request between:

- £1,000 and £25,000 for eligible capital projects. - Funding can cover up to 20% of total project costs. - Feasibility studies and first-stage conceptual development: Up to 20% of project costs, with a maximum grant of £15,000.

- Project management: Up to 10% of the grant, subject to a maximum of £2,500.

The remaining project costs must be supported through external sources of funding. Evidence of the required match funding must be provided before the Dorset Council grant is released. What Projects Can the Fund Support? The Capital Leverage Fund supports capital improvements that benefit residents and strengthen community or cultural facilities.

Examples of eligible projects include:

- Village hall improvements. - Community building renovations. - New community facilities. - Outdoor play areas. - Public art projects. - Landscaping projects. - Accessibility improvements. - Inclusive facility improvements. - Feasibility studies. - First-stage conceptual development. - Cultural infrastructure projects. - Projects supporting Dorset Council’s cultural strategy. - Projects addressing disadvantage and unequal access. - Environmental improvement projects. - Projects incorporating climate change themes. The project should demonstrate a clear benefit to people living in the Dorset Council area. What Does Capital Funding Mean? Capital funding generally supports the creation, improvement, renovation, or development of physical assets and facilities rather than routine operational expenditure.

For this programme, examples include:

- Renovating a community building. - Improving accessibility. - Developing an outdoor play facility. - Creating or upgrading community infrastructure. - Improving public spaces. - Developing cultural facilities. - Undertaking feasibility work for a future capital project. Applicants should clearly explain what physical or long-term improvement the funding will help deliver. Who Is Eligible? The programme is open to eligible not-for-profit community and cultural organisations operating within the Dorset Council area. Potentially eligible organisations include: - Not-for-profit community organisations. - Registered charities. - Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs). - Social enterprises. - Companies limited by guarantee operating on a not-for-profit basis. - Parish councils. - Partnerships. - Community Interest Companies (CICs), subject to applicable governance requirements. - Faith groups, where the project does not promote religious beliefs. - Accredited museums. - Heritage organisations. - Arts organisations. - Community sports facilities. - Community-run pre-schools. Applicants should generally have an annual turnover of less than £1 million. Organisations with an annual turnover above £1 million may still apply but are expected to receive a lower priority. Geographic Eligibility Projects must be located within the Dorset Council area. The benefits of the proposed capital investment should primarily reach local residents and communities in the council area. Projects located outside the Dorset Council area are not eligible. Who Is Not Eligible? The fund excludes several types of applicants and activities. Ineligible applicants or projects include: - Individuals. - Private businesses. - Hospitals. - Educational facilities. - Religious establishments where the project is for religious use. - Newly constituted organisations that have existed for less than 12 months. - Organisations or projects that do not meet the programme’s governance requirements. - Projects located outside the Dorset Council area. Applicants should carefully check their organisational status before preparing a proposal. What Are the Matching Funding Requirements? The Capital Leverage Fund is designed to help organisations unlock additional investment, rather than finance an entire capital project. The Dorset Council contribution can cover up to 20% of total project costs. Applicants therefore need to secure the remaining funding from external sources. Possible sources of match funding may include: - Other grants. - Charitable trusts. - Foundations. - Community fundraising. - Sponsorship. - Other external investment. Evidence of the required match funding must be available before the Capital Leverage Fund money is released. How to Apply Applicants should structure their proposal around the project’s need, community benefit, capital costs, and additional funding.

Step 1: Confirm Your Organisation Is Eligible

Check that your organisation:

- Meets the required not-for-profit or eligible organisational status. - Operates within the Dorset Council area. - Meets the relevant governance requirements. - Is not excluded because of its age or type. - Can provide the required financial information.

Step 2: Define the Capital Project

Clearly describe what you want to build, renova