Shaftesbury Town Council serves the wards of East and West Shaftesbury and is the tier of local government closest to the community it serves. The council’s income comes principally from a precept paid by local residents as part of their council tax.
Historically STC has used tax payers money to award community grants. From 2024, surplus funds from the Coppice Street car park will support local organisations and projects that will enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of people who live and work in the Shaftesbury area. Grants may be given to new or on-going projects and may be for either capital or revenue funding.
Shaftesbury Town Council will only support voluntary organisations or community groups based or working within the parish boundary of Shaftesbury, not individuals. Consideration will be given to projects that provide evidence that they primarily service the interests of, or are for the benefit of, Shaftesbury residents. The total amount of Community Grant funding available in any given year is determined by the surplus funds generated from Coppice Street car park.
For full details including eligibility and requirements please read our Grant Awarding Policy.
How to apply
Grants are awarded annually, usually in the June Full Council meeting. Please contact the office for application closing dates for the relevant financial year and an application form.
Community Grants awarded
2026/27
Shaftesbury Town Council is pleased to award the following organisations with a Grant in 2026/27:
- Shaftesbury Community Choir – £3,275 free room hire (in kind)
- Shaftesbury Cricket Club – £500
- Lindlar Community Association – £283
- North Dorset Rugby Football Club – £500
- Shaftesbury Town Silver Band – £750
- Shaftesbury Town Twinning – £500
- Shaftesbury Youth Club – £382
- Open House – £1,000
2025/26
Shaftesbury Town Council is pleased to award the following organisations with a Grant in 2025/26:
- Shine 21 Dorset Down Syndrome Buddy Group – £473
- Wildly Healthy – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Town Silver Band – £500
- Shaftesbury Town Twinning Association – £500
- North Dorset Rugby Football Club- £1,000
- Shaftesbury Community Association (Lindlar) – £736
- Open House – £1,000
- Donhead Tennis Club – £460
- Shaftesbury Community Choir – free use of the Guild Hall
- Planet Shaftesbury – free use of the Guild Hall
- Friends of Westminster Memorial Hospital – £2,256 as part of the tree fund grant application.
2023/24
Shaftesbury Town Council is pleased to award the following organisations with a Grant in 2023/24:
- Dorset Marshals – £1,000
- Friends of Breach Common – £375
- Friends of Westminster Hospital – £1,900
- Gold Hill Fair (Rotary Club) – £1,000
- North Dorset Rugby Football Club – £500
- Open House – £1,000
- Planet Shaftesbury – free use of Town Hall for meetings
- Read Easy – £257
- Shaftesbury Abbey Museum – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Community Choir – free use of Town Hall
- Shaftesbury & District Dementia Friendly – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Carnival Club – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Community Association (Lindlar Hall) – £500
- Shaftesbury Cricket Club – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Fringe – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Girl Guides – £398
- Shaftesbury Refugee Group – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Scout Group – £400
- Shaftesbury Town Silver Band – £575
- Shaftesbury Town Twinning Association – £500
- Shaftesbury Trinity Centre Trust – £500
- Vale Pantry – £1,000
- Shaftesbury Municipal Almshouse Charity – £3,095