Aims/priorities: Please note as of 3 March 2025, the Small Grants programme has been merged into the Medium Grants programme, and applications are to be made through the Medium Grants programme.
The funding is for projects which fit within the scope of the National Churches Trust Strategy:
- 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.
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: Grants of between £500 and 5,000 are usually available for up to 50% of the cost. Exceptionally grants of up to £10,000 can be made.
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: The Small Grants programme has been merged into the National Churches Trust's Medium Grants Programme. Applications can now only be made through the Medium Grants Programme. The next deadline for Medium Grant applications is 15 April 2025
Guidance notes and the online application form are available on the Trust's website.
Contact the National Churches Trust for further information.
Deadline: Tuesday 15 April 2025
Contact information: Email: grants@nationalchurchestrust.org