Aims/priorities: The funding is for projects which fit within the scope of the National Churches Trust Strategy for 2019-2023:
- Preserve heritage.
- Promote sustainability.
- Inspire support.
The Small Grants (formerly Foundation Grants) Programme provides funding for:
- Urgent maintenance works and items identified as high priority within a recent Quinquennial Inspection, building survey, or condition report.
- Small investigative works and surveys.
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.
Currently, there is particular interest in applications from churches in Scotland.
To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that:
- The building is a Christian place of worship (but not a cathedral) within the UK, and open for at least six services of public worship each year.
- They own the building or have the right to carry out the work. If the church is not part of a major denomination, then the denomination must be registered with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland or have charitable status.
- The place of worship was built as a place of worship originally and is more than 30 years old.
- The works must be to the main church building either directly part of the building or attached to it.
- The building is open to the public for a minimum of 100 days a year beyond worship use.
- Have already secured at least 50% of the total project cost.
- The project has not yet started.
- The project is being led by a qualified professional, with conservation accreditation from a recognised institution if it is a listed building.
- Have two quotes in place for each element of the work in the application.
- Have any necessary permissions in place.
Grant amount: Normally grants of between £500 and 5,000 are available for up to 50% of the cost.
The project costs should not exceed £20,000 (including VAT and fees).
Please note that the Trust has a limited amount of funding available.
Application process: Guidance notes and the online application form are available on the Trust's website.
Notification of decisions is by email within two months.
Deadline: Deadlines will be bi-monthly throughout the year. The next deadline for applications is Thursday 29 June 2023 (midnight).
Contact information: Email: grants@nationalchurchestrust.org