How to complete the Capital Leverage Fund online application form

You must submit your application through our online application form. See full details of the fund including closing dates, fund objectives and criteria.

Before you start

Take the time to read and understand the fund criteria, eligibility criteria and priorities before completing the application form. If having read the guidance you are still unsure, email us and we will be happy to discuss this further with you.

• Community and voluntary sector applicants (including play): communities@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk 
• Cultural applicants (arts, accredited museums, heritage, sports and physical activity): leisureWDWP@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk 

Create an account

You need to register and create an account with us before you apply. If you’ve applied for a grant before you will still need to create a new account.

To create an account, open the application form and click ‘Create an account’. We'll ask for your name, email and to set a new password.

If you forget your password, you can reset it using the password reset button on the form.

Start your application

The online application form is divided into 2 parts.

Part 1

Now that you have a unique login and account you can go to the application form and start completing section 1.

In part 1, you'll complete these sections: 

• eligibility checklist
• about you and your organisation
• project details
• finance

Complete all the questions in part 1, then save and submit.

Once you've submitted part 1, you will get an email with a link to complete part 2 of the form.

Part 2

In part 2, you'll upload supporting documents and sign the declaration.

The supporting documents help us to assess your application. Stay logged in until you’ve provided all your document, then click save and submit. Once you have submitted part 2, you'll get an email confirming that your application is complete along with a PDF copy of your application. 

You will not be able to return to the application form, or edit or upload any other documents.

Make sure you:

• read the guidance on which documents to upload before you start part 2
• have all documents on your device ready to upload
• provide the mandatory documents
• don't try to upload files more than 3MB or any documents that we've not asked for

To reduce file size, you can use PDF’s or provide a Zip File. Do not email or send us documents directly as these will not be accepted without discussing them with us first.

Saving your data

You will be able to save your application while you're completing it. If you decide to leave the form without saving it, you will lose your data.

There is also a ‘timed out’ function on the form of 6 hours which starts each time you login. If you stay logged in for more than 6 hours and do not save, you may lose your data. Make sure you save it regularly. 

What happens next

Once you have completed both parts of the application form, you will receive an email notification from Dorset Council confirming that your application is complete. You will also be provided with a unique application number and a PDF copy of your application.

The Dorset Council grants team will then assess your application and make recommendations for the grant panel to consider your application. Should we require additional information we will contact you directly. We aim to notify you of our decision by the date shown on our fund web page.

When you can apply

This grant fund closes on Saturday 6 January 2024.

You can apply between Friday 21 April 2023 and Friday 5 January 2024. We will consider your application at the grants panel that is closest to the date you applied.