Aims/priorities: The National Churches Trust supports church and chapel buildings open for worship throughout the UK. It funds urgent repairs and modernisation, provides expert advice on church maintenance and on how churches can continue to serve local communities and promote church heritage and tourism.
The National Churches Trust has launched its new grants programme in line with the Trust's new strategy for 2019-2023.
The funding is for projects which can demonstrate how they meet the outcome in line with the new strategy:
- Preserving heritage.
- Promoting sustainability.
- Inspiring support.
The Gateway Grants programme is primarily intended to support churches preparing for a major project, and in developing their project to the point at which they can approach a major grant funder. However, some funding will be directed to local church trusts for strategic or capacity building projects.
Grants can be used either for:
- Project development and investigative work up to RIBA planning stage 1, to support churches preparing for a major project, and in developing their project to the point at which they can approach a major grant funder. Some grants will also be awarded to local church trusts for strategic or capacity building projects.
- Urgent and essential maintenance and repair projects costing between £10,000 and £100,000. (This funding is new for 2020.)
Match funding of at least 50% is required. Applicants should have already raised 50% of the total project cost.
Who can apply? Places of worship of any Christian denomination and age can apply. Applications will be considered from listed and unlisted Christian places of worship across the UK.
Grant amount: Grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 are available to cover work costs up to £100,000 (including VAT and fees)
Application process: Guidance notes and the online application form can be found on the Trust's website. Applications are considered three times a year. Decisions are usually made in March, July and November.
Deadline: The next application deadlines are:
- 21 January 2021
- 3 May 2021
- 9 September 2021
Contact information: Tel 020 7222 0605, Email grants@nationalchurchestrust.org
Website address: Gateway (medium) Grants | National Churches Trust