Wessex Water Community Fund, managed by the Dorset Community Foundation, has handed out its first grants to support 13 projects across Dorset.
The fund offers grants of up to £1,500 to smaller community groups and charities, and aims to bring communities together through supporting community cohesion projects.
Among the 13 projects funded were two based in Poole, and one based in Bournemouth.
SMILE Connect has been running since 2010 and brings single parent families, and families in general, together through community events.
Ideas2Action began in 2013, and works on supporting and enhancing the lives of people across the country through recycling projects and events.
The Training and Learning company supports deprived communities, providing training in cooking skills, food safety and healthy eating.
The full list of funded projects are: Weymouth Skatepark Association, Volunteer Centre Dorset (Dorchester), The Training and Learning Company (Bournemouth), The Living Tree (Bridport), The Bus Shelter Dorset (Weymouth), Stur Youth Club (Sturminster Youth Club), SMILE Connect (Poole), Ideas2Action (Poole), Home-Start West Dorset, Home-Start North Dorset, Gillingham St Mary Scout Group, Art Workshop Swanage, 1st Charmouth Scout Group.
The Wessex Water Fund opens for applications only once a year, with the next funding round planned for January 2020.