Grants are available for listed and unlisted Christian places of worship of any denomination in the UK to support developing a church building project.
The National Churches Trust is the national charity dedicated to supporting and promoting places of worship of historic, architectural and community value used by Christian denominations throughout the UK through advice, support and funding.
The National Churches Trust relies on voluntary donations, as well as the help of its Friends and a number of trusts and foundations, to support its work. Thus the Trust’s grant programmes depend upon the income received each year, which means the grants budget varies from year to year and between rounds.
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 will 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 funding will be awarded to local church trusts for strategic or capacity building projects.
Grants of between £3,000 and £10,000 are available to cover work costs up to £100,000 (including VAT and fees). Match funding of at least 50% is required. Applicants should have already raised 50% of the total project cost.
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 raised 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.
For more information see the following web pages National Churches Trust – Gateway Grants https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/gatewaygrants
National Churches Trust – Grants https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants or use 020 7222 0605 or grants@nationalchurchestrust.org.
