FUNDING is available to help small businesses across Dorset adapt and survive the coronavirus pandemic as part of a crowd-funding scheme that has already seen tens of thousands of pounds handed out. Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) set up the Crowdfund Dorset Business campaign in response to the first wave of coronavirus pandemic to help support local businesses. The initiative offers micro, small and social enterprise businesses up to £5,000 of match-funding, provided they can raise an equivalent amount from 10 or more supporters. Since May 2020, the scheme has pledged more than £36,000 in match-funding to nine businesses and projects across Dorset. Among them is Nothe Fort, which raised £5,000 through crowdfunding, which was then matched by Dorset LEP, to make the heritage attraction Covid-safe, enabling more than 35,000 visitors to safely enjoy the attraction in summer 2020.