Charities in Dorset
There are 2,652 registered charities based in and around Dorset. 2,080 of them (78%) are small, with an income under £100,000 a year. The most common causes are education, children and young people, and the arts and heritage.
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What they work on
- Education790
- Children and young people787
- Arts and heritage442
- Disability263
- Poverty and hardship184
- Older people134
- Environment102
- Animals87
We count a charity under a cause when its description on the register makes it clear, which is true of 1,828 of the 2,652. Charities are placed by their registered address, so the numbers include some national charities with an office here. Volunteers are as reported by the 1,504 local charities under £1 million a year that file an annual return, from the returns held in October 2026. Data from the Charity Commission register, last refreshed in June 2026.
Education charities in Dorset
5 of the 790 we found.
Development Education in Dorset (Deed)
BH22 · Small charity, income under £100k
DEED is a Global Education Centre and a member of the Consortium of Development Education Centres (CoDEC). DEED aims to develop a better understanding of global issues and cultural diversity to help create a more just,…
Dorset Rural Music School, Limited
DT11 · Income £100k to £1m
For music lessons in all styles by qualified experienced teachers on all instruments, singing and music theory. All ages , abilities welcome. Instrument hire, music library, music shop, practice rooms available. Music…
Friends of Christchurch Junior School, Dorset
BH23 · Small charity, income under £100k
Fundraisers such as Summer & Christmas Fairs
Dorset Record Society
DT1 · Income under £10k
It publishes books, texts, transcripts, and study guides relating to archive material and historical sources not readily accessible to the general public because of their age, fragility, illegibility, language or…
The Dorset Foundation College Student Support Charity
BH21 · Income under £10k
To advance education in the performing arts for sixth-form students at Dorset Centre for Performing Arts by providing grants, bursaries or other payments or forms of support to such persons to purchase clothing,…
Charities for children and young people in Dorset
5 of the 787 we found.
Dorset Youth Bowls Academy
DT1 · Income under £10k
Offer coaching and competitive opportunities through an academy based structure of youth bowlers , under 18 years old , residing in Dorset, in the Sport of Flat Green Bowls . Indoors and Outdoors.
Dorset Youth for Christ
DT11 · Income £100k to £1m
Varied Youth Work, mainly in schools, across Dorset
Dorset Youth Association
DT1 · Income £100k to £1m
To ensure the development and recognition of a vibrant, strong and diverse voluntary sector with a focus on supporting on those aged 0-25 and their families in Dorset and for all children and young people to be…
The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary's Gillingham, Dorset
SP8 · Income £100k to £1m
Promoting in the parish the whole mission of the Church.Provision of public worship and administration of sacraments.Religious assemblies in schools, teaching the Christian faith to children and adults.Provision of…
Dorset Youth Marching Band
BH21 · Income under £10k
Carnivals, Fetes & Concerts.
Arts and heritage charities in Dorset
5 of the 442 we found.
The Dorset Chamber Orchestra
DT1 · Small charity, income under £100k
Presentation of orchestral concerts.
Dorset County Museum Music Society
DT1 · Small charity, income under £100k
The promotion of classic music Chamber Concerts for the education of members of the society and the public.
The Museum Bridport Dorset
DT6 · Small charity, income under £100k
Advancing the education of the public in Bridport, Dorset and the surrounding area through the provision of a museum and historical reference centre.
Dorset Visual Arts
DT6 · Small charity, income under £100k
Provide professional development opportunities to artists and makers in Dorset.To form close ties with schools and colleges and provide grants for educational and training purposes in the field of visual arts and…
East Dorset Heritage Trust
BH21 · Income £100k to £1m
To stimulate public interest and care for the landscape, wildlife, archaeology, architecture, heritage and history of East Dorset and Dorset as a whole.
Disability charities in Dorset
5 of the 263 we found.
Mid Dorset Mencap
DT1 · Small charity, income under £100k
We aim to improve the quality of life for local people with learning disabilities by raising funds to provide goods and services to support and benefit them, their families and carers, over and above those provided by…
People First Dorset
DT2 · Income £100k to £1m
People First Dorset empowers people with learning disabilities to be independent, have their voices heard and be included in community life.
North Dorset Disability Information Service (Norddis)
SP8 · Small charity, income under £100k
The relief of all disabled persons and their carers within dorset and the surrounding areas by the provision of an advice and information servicethe provision of a shop facility stocking a large choice of aids for daily…
West Dorset Mencap Society
DT6 · Income £100k to £1m
To promote the care, treatment and education of mentally handicapped children and adults and secure provision of their needs.
Ms Centre Dorset
BH22 · Income £100k to £1m
(a) To support and relieve people affected by multiple sclerosis in the Bournemouth and East Dorset area;(b) To encourage people affected by multiple sclerosis to attain their full potential as members of society by…
Poverty and hardship charities in Dorset
5 of the 184 we found.
Carmel Evangelical Church Christchurch Dorset
BH23 · Small charity, income under £100k
To advance the Christian faith in Christchurch, Dorset and in such other parts of the United Kingdom or the world as the Trustees think fit. To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good…
The Bus Shelter Dorset
DT2 · Income £100k to £1m
The Bus Shelter Dorset offers rough sleepers or those at risk of homelessness a safe place to live with access to a supportive community environment and 24 hour high support tailored to meet their individual needs.
Dorset Police Welfare Fund
DT2 · Income under £10k
The primary objective of the fund shall be to assist contributing serving members of Dorset Police or their dependents & the special constabulary & volunteers who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress. The…
Poole Waste Not Want Not
BH15 · Income £100k to £1m
Poole Waste Not Want Not runs a community shop that is intended for individuals and families that are struggling to feed themselves and their families with nutritious food due to financial hardship in Poole and…
Swanage Food Bank
BH19 · Small charity, income under £100k
The relief of financial hardship amongst people in Swanage and the surrounding area by: a) providing emergency food, and other items to individuals and families in need and/or for distribution by charities or other…
Charities for older people in Dorset
5 of the 134 we found.
Age Concern Sturminster Newton and North Dorset
DT10 · Small charity, income under £100k
Derived from a charity founded in 1938, Age Concern Sturminster Newton and North Dorset has operated since 1991, becoming a CIO (1162034) in June 2015.It aims to promote the well-being of all older people, alleviating…
Dorset Memory Box Library
DT4 · Income under £10k
Collects, catalogues and describes items of memorabilia that are put in boxes of about 10 items. Memory Boxes are distributed on loan to Nursing Homes, Care Homes, Day Centres and Hospitals for use in Reminiscence…
Age UK Dorchester Ltd
DT1 · Income £100k to £1m
The core purpose of Age UK Dorchester is to support older people to live in their own homes for as long as they want and ensure that the voices of older people in North, South and West Dorset are collectively and…
Helping Older People New Forest
BH24 · Income £100k to £1m
Charity helping older people in the New Forest
Weymouth and Portland U3a
DT3 · Small charity, income under £100k
Encourages older people to make new friends, follow their interests and try new activities
Small charities in Dorset
Most charities here are small, often a few volunteers doing good work close to home, and few of them can afford to advertise. Each of these has an income under £100,000 a year and has reported its accounts recently.
East Holton Driving Centre Group of the Riding for the Disabled Association
BH16 · Income under £10k
To provide carriage driving opportunities for people with disabilities in the Dorset area.
Westfield Community Association (Yeovil)
BA21 · Income under £10k
To promote for the benefit of the inhabitants of Westfield without distinction of gender, sexual orientation, race or political, religious, or other opinions, by associating together local inhabitants and the local…
Friendship Day Centre, Winterslow
SP5 · Small charity, income under £100k
Weekly meetings Tuesday 10am-3pm. Led by organiser supported by volunteers. Transport, coffee, 2 course hot lunch, tea provided. Wide variety of activities, art, craft, music, games, exercises, speakers, parties…
Acoustic84 Communities
DT2 · Small charity, income under £100k
To see Christian light in every place and space in Dorset. Acoustic84 communities equips people to missionally listen to their context. Supports the creation of christian community through boats and harbours. All with…
The Fred Young Trust
DT8 · Income under £10k
Gives financial help to residents of Mosterton over the age of 70 years.
St Mary's Church House Hall Trust
DT6 · Small charity, income under £100k
Provision of a Community (& Church) Hall for meetings/lectures/classes and other forms of recreation/leisure activity with the aim of improving the condition of life for inhabitants of Bridport without distinction of…
Norwich Family Contact Centre
BH16 · Income under £10k
Providing supported contact services for children and families
Sherborne Community Orchestra
DT9 · Income under £10k
Five rehearsals followed by fund raising concert
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Tell us a little about what matters to you, and we'll pick the few local charities that really fit, with the reasons why. We never ask for any personal details.
Get my personal shortlistQuestions people ask
How many charities are there in Dorset?
There are 2,652 registered charities based in and around Dorset. 2,080 of them (78%) are small, with an income under £100,000 a year. The figures come from the Charity Commission register for England and Wales, last refreshed in June 2026, and count charities by their registered address.
What do charities in Dorset work on?
The most common causes are education (790), children and young people (787), and the arts and heritage (442). We count a charity under a cause when its own description on the register makes that clear, which is true of 1,828 of the 2,652, so the real numbers are higher.
How many people volunteer for charities in Dorset?
Local charities in and around Dorset have 32,748 volunteers between them. That's what 1,504 charities with an income under £1 million a year told the Charity Commission in their latest annual return. Charities with an income under £10,000 don't have to report it, so the real number is higher.
How do I choose a charity in Dorset to support?
Start with what matters to you. Answer a few short questions and we'll pick the few Dorset charities that fit you best, with the reasons why. It's free, takes a couple of minutes, and we never ask for any contact details. No charity can pay to appear on your list. Start with your story.
How can I check a charity in Dorset is genuine?
Look it up on the Charity Commission register by its name or charity number. Its page there shows what it does, who its trustees are and its latest accounts. Every charity on this page links straight to its register record.
Charities in places nearby
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- New Forest
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Test Valley
Somewhere else, or closer to your street? Search by postcode.