Churches
Churches are an outstanding feature of our historic, cultural and religious landscape, yet maintaining the fabric, restoration and repair work for churches is costly. There are, however, several sources of grant funding available and you may want to advance your own research by following the links listed below.
Repairs to Places of Worship English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund often have funding streams available. Further details: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Community Churches The Church and Community Fund (CCF) has grants of up to £15,000 available for projects that take churches out into the community and strengthen the relationship between the church and community. Projects supported by the CCF may include: employing a youth worker, renovating an old church hall for use as a community centre or providing hot meals for the homeless in a church room. The projects must be run by parish churches, deaneries, dioceses and other bodies connected to or working in partnership with the Church of England. Applications are considered at quarterly trustees’ meetings. For more information: http://www.churchandcommunityfund.org.uk/ or phone 0207 898 1767
Christian Charities The Anchor Foundation has funding of between £500 and £10,000 a year available to Christian Charities that encourage social inclusion through ministries of healing and the arts. Funding can be awarded for up to 3 years, and can be capital (e.g. chairs, repairs) or revenue funding (e.g. running costs, salaries). For more information: www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk
Church care You can find a comprehensive guide to funders who support churches by making grants and information on funding for bells, organs and significant tombs in churchyards and churchyard furnishings at: www.churchcare.co.uk/funding.php
The Funds for Historic Buildings You can also search the Funds for Historic buildings database by entering your basic details on the use of your religious building (regularly used for worship or changing to different uses). This searchable database search includes grantmaking trusts who may support churches. You can find full details at: www.fundsforhistoricbuildings.org.uk
Heritage link You can also search on heritage link which is a comprehensive database including sections on historic churches and other buildings, plus churchyards and cemeteries www.heritagelink.org.uk/fundingdirectory/main/search.php
The National Churches Trust Church repairs are costly with the average bill at around £128,000 according to The Historic Churches Preservation Trust. The National Churches Trust makes grants and you can find out about application at: http://www.historicchurches.org.uk/howgrant.html
This site also has useful links to national organisations, including some funding streams: http://www.historicchurches.org.uk/links.html
Money for churches The Leonard Laity Stoate charity has grants of up to £2,000 available to provide support for Methodist churches and organisations and other charities. It supports medical and disability, disadvantage, youth and children, methodism, other churches, community projects and environmental projects. For more information: www.stoate-charity.org.uk
Faith in Action Faith in Action have grants available to help faith communities and others to promote understanding, dialogue, and develop strong and sustainable partnerships. Faith, inter-faith, voluntary and community sector organisations in England are eligible to apply. Round 1 is currently closed for funding, but Round 2 is expected to open soon. For more information: www.cdf.org.uk
Church Bells The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers have grants available for bell restoration. For more information: www.cccbr.org.uk or phone 01403 269743
Racial and social welfare The Rowntree Charitable Trust has grants available for promoting racial justice and social welfare. They are also particularly interested in funding the work of Quakers (Society of Friends). However, they do tend to fund on a national level. For more information: www.jrct.org.uk
Further advice and assistance
If you need further assistance or advice, please contact: Jamie Buckley, Engagement and Funding Officer, East Devon District Council, Tel no: 01395 517569 email: jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk
