Charitable Grants for Churches

Grants for Church Buildings

Introduction

1 Conservation, Preservation, Restoration

2 – 11

Arts & Heritage Projects

12 – 14

Bells, Organs, and Choirs

15 – 16

Community Projects

17 – 19

Landfill and Local Tax Funding

20-23

Introduction

This document sets out to provide a guide to significant grants, their aims, contact details, any exclusions, and a rough idea of a potential grant sum.

All the material contained within this document is based on freely available information accessed via the internet. If any information is not known, it is left blank.

Statements of ‘grant potential’ should not be seen as a standard sum available to all churches, but instead as a helpful guide to parishes when planning fundraising campaigns. These figures are based on previous grants distributed by the organisation in question, but will naturally be defined and distributed at the charity’s discretion.

What to do next?

Use this information as an introduction only. Applying for a grant requires time and thought. If you have found a grant which may support your project, consult the website to ensure you meet their criteria.

Before you apply, make sure you phone the organisation in question to discuss your project and the application process. This will give you a better idea of what is going to happen and the likely timescale, and it will alert you to any potential pitfalls.

You may find it helpful to create a project ‘crib sheet’. Compile important information about your church, its usage and its significance. Create a profile for your parish with information about the local area. Identify the costs of your project, how much you require in grant aid, and what the parish is contributing (either through matched funding, or through time, management, and contributions of another kind). Consider the ways in which your project demonstrates value for money and can be considered of long term benefit.

Web Resources

For more information and advice you may wish to visit these websites:

Parish Resources

The Architectural Heritage Fund

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Conservation, Restoration, Preservation
This section contains a variety of grants concerning the fabric or contents of a parish church. Pay special attention to the interests and exclusions of these grants which can be quite particular about building type, project type, or period.

The Alan Evans Memorial Trust

Contact details:

020 7753 1000
C/o Coutts & Co. Trustee Dept.
440 Strand,
London WC2R 0QS / Interests: Grants promoting the permanent preservation for the nation of buildings of beauty or historic interest

How to Apply

In writing, outlining the project, with a cost breakdown, information about the size of the community and the benefit of the project to the community. State what other organisations/charities have been approached for funds for the project.

Grant potential

Exclusions

c.£1000 / No grants for ''updating"

All Churches Trust

Contact details:

01452 528 533
The Company Secretary
All Churches Trust Ltd.
Beaufort House
Brunswick House
Gloucester GL1 1JZ
website / Interests: Church building restoration and repair

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted in writing, detailing the objectives of the project, the appeal target, how the funds are to be utilised, funds raised to date and any previous support received from the Trust.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£100 - £5000

The Beaverbrook Foundation

Contact details:

01372 380986
Administrator
33 Londes Street
London
Sw1X 9HX
e-mail / Interests: Projects for the preservation of religious buildings or architectural and historic interest

How to Apply

Phone first

Grant potential

Exclusions

No limit / Call before applying

Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust

Contact details:

0191 488 7459
Peter Magnay
Thomas Magnay & Co.
13 Regent Terrace
Gateshead
NE8 1LU
e-mail / Interests: Religious activities, arts, culture and environment and conservation and heritage.

How to Apply

Application in writing to trustees

Grant potential

Exclusions

Average £250-£1000 / Core or running costs

Charles Hayward Foundation (also called Haywood)

Contact details:

020 7370 7067
Hayward House
45 Harrington Gardens
London SW7 4JU
website / Interests: Heritage and Conservation: industrial heritage, conservation and preservation of pictures, manuscripts, books and artefacts; purchase of land as nature reserves and public gardens.

How to Apply

Do not accept applications by correspondence or e-mail. Must phone between 9.30am - 1pm or 2pm-5.30pm on weekdays.
Must be directed at conservation of a particular artistic asset, and not church fabric restoration.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£1,000 - £20,000 / "Church restoration"

Church Building's Council (Conservation Grants)

Contact details:

020 7898 1866
Church House
Great Smith Street
London SW1P 3AZ
e-mail website / Interests: Grants for historic furnishings and artworks.
Grants for fabric repairs: sculpture and furnishings, glass, paintings and wall paintings, bells and bell frames, organs and organ cases, clocks, books and manuscripts.

How to Apply

Contact CBC for deadline details, these vary depending on the type of work required. Must have a full plan developed, including future sustainability and protection of work carried out.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Parish must contribute towards full extent of the cost

English Heritage (Repair Grants for Places of Worship)

This grant scheme no longer operates. See Grants for Places of Worship (Heritage Lottery Fund) below.

The Garfield Weston Foundation

Contact details:

020 7399 6565
website / Interests: Can even contribute to running costs.
The trustees favour projects which benefit large numbers of people and are inclusive.

How to Apply

No formal deadlines. Applications take
4 months.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Give a very large number of small grants (between £1000 and £20000) to parish churches. / Grants are typically
made for one year only.

G C Gibson Trust ('Religion' grants)

Contact details:
Karen Griffin
029 2048 1111
C/o Deloitte & Touche
Blenheim House
Fitzalan Court
Newport Road
Cardiff CF24 0TS / Interests: Following the Trust's current policy guidelines, grants are made in a number of categories, one of which is "Religion". Under this heading, the Trust will consider giving grants for the preservation of religious buildings of historic or architectural interest.

How to Apply

Apply by October, trustees meet in December, cheques sent out in January.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£2000 - £5000 / No individuals

Grants for Places of Worship (Heritage Lottery Fund)

Contact details:

020 7591 6151
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
e-mail website / Interests: Grants will go to projects which carry out urgent high level/structural repairs, these projects should also increase engagement with the heritage of your church. Up to 15% of the grant can be spent on improving the sustainability of your building’s use or access.

How to Apply

Apply online. Be sure to read through the guidance notes. There are four application periods throughout the year.
Before submitting the formal application you should register a ‘project enquiry form’ in order to begin talking to the HLF Development Team.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Up to £250,000 / Projects that do not engage more people with heritage. Projects that are not urgently required with 2 years.

Historic Churches Preservation Trust

Now the National Churches Trust (see below)

Idlewild Trust

Contact details:

1a Taylors Yard
67 Alderbrook St
London SW12 8AD
e-mail website / Interests: Education, Performing Arts, Preservation of historic buildings; will also support preservation of contents e.g. historic furnishings and wall paintings.

How to Apply

Download application form from website.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Average grant: c.£2000; maximum grant: £5000. / Prefers projects of national importance

Ironmongers' Company

Contact details:

Ironmongers' Hall
Shaftesbury Place
Barbican
London EC2Y 8AA
e-mail website / Interests: Repairing interesting, or commissioning creative ironwork.

How to Apply

Follow details given on website. Submit completed application summary form, and outline of project and organisation in no more than three sides of A4.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Maximum grant is £5000. They prefer to fund the entire project. / Building work, large projects.

The Jill Franklin Trust

Contact details:

Norman Franklin
Jill Franklin Charitable Trust
Flat 5, 17-19 Elsworthy Rd London NW3 3DS
e-mail website / Interests: Restoration (not improvement) of architecturally significant (half a page in Pevsner) churches.

How to Apply

Contact the trust first; they do not appreciate entirely unsolicited applications.
By letter or e-mail. Must not be too professionally presented as they discourage 'glossy brochures' etc.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£500 - £1000 / Church must be open for visitors every day.

The Leche Trust

Contact details:

Mrs L Lawson
020 8870 6233
84 Cicada Rd
London SW18 2NZ
website / Interests: Preservation of buildings and their contents, of churches and their furniture - with particular emphasis on the Georgian period (1714-1820).

How to Apply

There is no application form. Initial approach should be made by letter (with accompanying evidence) or by phonecall to the secretary.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£1,500 on average. / Structural Repairs

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Contact details:

0845 601 5945
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
PO Box 609
Newport NP10 8QD
South Wales
website / Interests: Any repairs or alterations to a Listed Place of Worship

How to Apply

Download application form and submit via post. Applications will be processed quarterly. Must be made in arrears.
Consult website guidance.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Maximum potential is full VAT rate (20%) on eligible expenditure / Invoices cannot be more than one year old. Contractor must be VAT Registered. Professional fees are not included. Some other exclusions apply (consult website).

Lord Barnby's Foundation

Contact details:

Mrs Jane Lethbridge
PO Box 71
Plystock
Plymouth
Devon PL8 2YP / Interests: Buildings of ‘cathedral scale’

How to Apply

By letter describing your organisation and project. A copy of the last year's audited accounts should be enclosed. Deadlines are 20th December, 20th April, 20th August. Stress architectural significance.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£1000 - £5000 / Small churches

The Manifold Trust

Apply through the National Churches Trust (see below)

Memorials Grant Scheme

Contact details:

0845 600 6430
Memorials Grant Scheme
PO Box 609
Newport NP10 8QD
South Wales
website / Interests: Construction, renovation, and maintenance of memorials. Only available to charities and religious groups. Must be a tangible memorial which required construction (window, plaque, cross etc.).

How to Apply

Download application form and submit via post. Applications will be processed quarterly.
Grants will be made according to available funds and may be lower than the sum of VAT which was originally spent.
Consult website guidance.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Maximum potential is full VAT rate (20%) on eligible expenditure / Consult ‘eligibility checklist’ on website; applications must be made in arrears. Does not cover private memorials or mausolea.

Mercers' Company

Contact details:
0207 776 7239
The Mercers' Company
Mercer's Hall
Ironmonger Lane
London EC2V 8HE
e-mail website / Interests: Material or fabric conservation and refurbishment

How to Apply

Apply online: Committee meetings held April, July and October. Ensure a valid connection with the company is made before applying.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Only give to churches with a Mercer's connection or patronage

National Churches Trust

Contact details:

020 7600 6090
National Churches Trust
31 Newbury Street
London EC1A 7HU
e-mail website / Interests: Repair Grants: Urgent repairs to roofs and rainwater goods with estimated costs of above £50,000. Community Grants: Toilets and Catering Facilities

How to Apply

Download guidance notes and enquiry form online, submit application by e-mail.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Repair Grants: Over £10,000. Community Grants: Between £5,000 and £25,000. / Heating and lighting

The Pilgrim Trust Treasures Fund

Apply through the National Churches Trust (see above)

Richard Cloudesley’s Charity

Contact details:

0207 697 4094
Richard Cloudesley’s Charity
Resource for London
365 Holloway Rd
London N7 6PA
website / Interests: “The upkeep and repair of the fabric of, and the maintenance of the services in any Churches of the Church of England in the Ancient Parish of Islington and the Parish Church of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Silas, Pentonville.”

How to Apply

Two application rounds held each year: in the Spring and in the Autumn.
Complete application form available from website and submit with audited accounts. FAQ’s and guidance are available online

Grant potential

£3,000-£20,000 (average £9,000) /

Exclusions

No auxiliary buildings; Matched funding is strongly encouraged

The Sainsbury Family Trust

Contact details:

0207 410 0330
The Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts
The Peak
5 Wilton Road
London SW1V 1AP
website / Interests: Applications sent to the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust will be passed on to the relevant trustees for consideration. Trusts of particular relevance to church buildings include the Glass-House Trust, Headley Trust, and Monument Trust.

How to Apply

It is important to consider whether you are applying to a particular trust and to apply to only one. The website explains the objectives of each trust.
Consult the website for application information. Successful applicants will hear back within 8 weeks.

Grant potential

Exclusions

The Veneziana Fund

Contact details:

The Trust Administrator
The Veneziana Fund
White Horse Court
25C North Street
Bishop's Stortford
Herts. CM23 2LD
website / Interests: Buildings originally constructed before 1750; the fixtures and fittings of such buildings; restoration or purchase of artwork created before 1750.

How to Apply

Applications to the address given. Application forms can be downloaded here.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Anything after 1750.

The War Memorials Trust

Contact details:

020 7233 7356
The Conservation Team
War Memorials Trust
2nd Floor
42a Buckingham Palace Rd
London SW1W 0RE
e-mail website / Interests: Conservation, preservation, protection and access for war memorials. Work is prioritised according to importance and urgency.

How to Apply

Complete an ‘expression of interest’ form online or by contacting the charity. If you are hoping to have work completed before Remembrance Sunday it is recommended that applications are made well in advance.

Grant potential

Exclusions

50% of costs up to £2,500 / Creating new war memorials. Memorials under 15 years old. Anything which is not a war memorial.

The William and Jane Morris Fund (‘The Morris Bequest’)

Contact details:

020 7479 7080
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BE
e-mail website / Interests: Conservation of decorative features; stained glass windows, sculpture, furniture, internal monuments and tombs, and wall paintings

How to Apply

31st March for consideration in May, or 31st August for consideration in November. 12 copies of the completed application form should be sent in. Forms available from the website.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£1,000 (not normally above) / Anything after 1896, bells, organs, decoration, alteration, electrical or heating installations

The Wolfson Foundation

Contact details:

0207 898 1885
Administered through
Andrew Argyrakis of the Church Buildings Council (CBC)
e-mail grant website
Wolfson website / Interests: Must be Grade I or Grade II* and pre-date 1850

How to Apply

Follow information via ‘grant website’ link in the left-hand column.

Grant potential

Exclusions

Generally grant up to £4000

The Worshipful Company of Glaziers

Contact details:

020 7403 6652
The Secretary
The Glaziers Trust
c/o the Stained Glass Museum
South Triforium
Ely Cathedral
Ely CB7 4DL
website / Interests: Grants to churches and public buildings exclusively for the restoration and conservation of historic and important stained glass.

How to Apply

Meeting dates for 2011 are: 11th April, 11th July, 20th October, 20th January 2012. Applications must be received at least two weeks before these meetings are held.
Ensure glaziers report is prepared before application is sent in.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£1,500 / Must be stained glass, before 1900, or very important. Do no repair brick or stonework, or protect from weather or vandals.

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Arts and Heritage Projects
These project-based grants require you to have thought in advance about how people might engage with the artistic or historic nature of your buildings or your community.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is by far the biggest grant giving body for projects of this sort, and its website ( is a great source of information. There are further grants detailed on the HLF website which church groups could potentially use, but are not included here as they are not ordinary church projects (i.e. funding for parks, landscapes, townscapes, endowments etc.). Before applying to the HLF always submit a project enquiry form through their website.

Benham Charitable Settlement

Contact details:

Mrs M M Tittle
Benham Charitable Settlement
Hurstbourne
Portnall Drive
Virginia Water
Surrey, GU25 4NR / Interests: Heritage based projects; parish churches welcomed

How to Apply

By letter, no telephone calls. Successful applicants will be notified within three weeks.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£300 - £500

The Cottam Will Trust

Contact details:

020 7236 3934
Distributed by the Friends of Friendless Churches
e-mail website / Interests: Commissioning art for churches: statues, stained glass, paschal candles…

How to Apply

Executive committee meet in November, February/March, and June/July. Make personal contact before beginning application.

Grant potential

Exclusions

c.£1,000 / The church must have medieval fabric

Heritage Grants (Heritage Lottery Fund)

Contact details:

020 7591 6151
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
e-mail website / Interests: Projects of a regional rather than local focus. At least 5% partnership funding.

How to Apply

Decisions made quarterly.
Two stage process (18 months between stages).
Find application details and pre-application forms online.

Grant potential

Exclusions

£100,000 and above / Another organisation’s work, core/staff running costs, overseas travel, vehicles, creating new artwork not linked to heritage.

Our Heritage (Heritage Lottery Fund)

Contact details:

020 7591 6151
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
e-mail website / Interests: Any type of project related to national, regional or local heritage in the UK.

How to Apply

Find application details and pre-application forms online.
Decision within ten weeks.
Can fund capital/revenue projects. No fixed matched funding criteria (can fund up to 100%)

Grant potential

Exclusions

£10,000 - £100,000

Young Roots (Heritage Lottery Fund)

Contact details:

020 7591 6151
7 Holbein Place
London
SW1W 8NR
e-mail website / Interests: Increased opportunities for young people (aged 13-25) to learn about and get involved in heritage.

How to Apply