Supporting Communities – DDC awards £50k in Community Grants

Community groups in the district have been given a summer boost - as a total of £50k has been awarded to 48 different groups as part of Dover District Council’s Community Grants Scheme.

The popular grants scheme allocates funding to help local community groups deliver vital projects for the area. This will be followed by another round of funding in the winter months, when a further £50k will be available for local groups.

Community groups that benefit the local area were invited to apply for grants this spring. The scheme encourages and supports community-led activities that result in a direct community benefit for Dover District residents.

Successful applicants benefitting from this latest round of funding include Dover Youth Orchestra, Deal Museum, Sandwich and District Royal British Legion, Wingham Recreation Ground Management Committee, and Home-Start Dover District.

The grant recipients were recommended by the Community Grants Scheme Appraisal Panel and agreed by the Cabinet Member.

Cllr Lynne Wright, DDC Cabinet Member for Community said: “We are delighted to be able to provide these grants to the successful applicants. Local groups and charities carry out essential work in our communities, and we are very pleased to help support vital local projects with the Community Grants Scheme.”

For more information on DDC grants and funding, please see the community pages on the DDC website. 

Notes to editors –

Successful applicants to the DDC Community Grants summer funding 2026 are:

1. 1st Deal Walmer Scout Group - £500
2. Cinque Ports Sailing Club CIC - £800
3. 15th Dover Scout Group - £2,500
4. Eastry Bowls Club - £980
5. Eythorne Elvington Friends Association - £2,500
6. Capel-Le-Ferne Rural District Gardeners Association - £315
7. Dover Lifeguard Club - £637.60
8. RSPB Northbourne Wildlife Explorers - £715
9. 354 (Dover) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets - £1,384
10. Clear Steps SEND - £2,430
11. Dover Flower Club - £582.75
12. Kent Junior School of Fashion and Arts CIC - £1,875
13. Home-Start Dover District - £537.75
14. Shepherdswell Preschool - £500
15. Capel Youth Club - £1,665.75
16. Dover Bowling Club - £450
17. Earthlings CIC - £1,875
18. Music4Wellbeing - £1,803.75
19. Prospect Corner Community Allotment - £362
20. Deal & Walmer Chamber of Trade - £1,875
21. Deal, Walmer & Kingsdown Amateur Rowing Club - £870
22. Royal Marines Association - £1,125
23. Wingham Football Club - £502.50
24. Dover Youth Orchestra - £1,220
25. Clarendon and Westbury Community Association - £962.50
26. Deal Museum - £1,249
27. Ringwould Village Hall - £874
28. Samphire - £450
29. The Kent Mining Museum - £725
30. Wingham Recreation Ground Management Committee - £350
31. Dover Rugby Football Club - £1,245
32. PACE Foundation CIC - £1,102
33. Pegasus Playscheme - £1,250
34. Ash Village Events - £500
35. Wild with Wheels CIC - £1,231
36. Bechange - £1,250
37. Dover Community Radio CIC - £590.50
38. Dover Youth Theatre - £500
39. Preston Village Hall CIO - £1,250
40. St Margaret's Parent, Baby & Toddler Group - £390
41. Dover Pantry CIO - £1,250
42. Gazen Salts Nature Reserve - £1,087.50
43. Sandwich Amateur Boxing Club - £1,250
44. Sandwich and District Royal British Legion - £1,000
45. Dover Sea Sport Centre CIC - £621.50
46. Emmaus Dover Ltd -  £1,207.50
47. Parish of Upper Deal & Gt Mongeham - £750
48. Cinque Ports FC - £908.40