Grant-Giving Bodies

Grants from all sorts of different organisations can be a blessing when trying to find funds for projects. However, grant providers each have a purpose and aims they want to see achieved; they want to give grants to those who are delivering a project that will meet their aims.

For example, some will give grants towards the upkeep of the building, whether for historical or community purposes, while others will be inspired to help further the mission of your church, and to help grow our faith. Therefore, it is important to read the grant provider’s guide or terms before applying so that you know whether your church qualifies for a particular grant.

If you are looking for funding to pursue a project, below is a list of organisations that may be able to help.

Church Grants Database
Church Building Grants
Community Work and Cost of Living Grants
Mission and Ministry
Environmental Projects
Grant Giving Guides
Tips for Writing a Proposal

Church Grants Database

Church Grants is an online search engine specifically for churches and Christian organisations. The site contains a searchable database of hundreds of UK trusts and foundations.

We have a subscription that allows all parishes in the Salisbury Diocese to access this information for free (currently until June 2025).

You will need to know your church code number – which you can find on both A Church Near You and on the Parish Giving Scheme website.

Church Building Grants

When starting a project of any kind, I would encourage you to make a plan for raising the funds. Knowing where you think the funds will come from, makes your ask to others stronger – and could influence the grant amount you receive.

There are several funders who are ready to accept applications for church building projects, although their criteria will differ, and some will expect you to have some funds in place - or pledged - already. This can seem off-putting, but actually it can help pave the way for an ask to individual donors to pledge an amount in writing, that will enable you to apply for a grant. It can also act like a target for community fundraising events.

Do take a look at this Income Plan from Garfield Weston Foundation, as an example of best practice.

The Giving Advisor is here to help, and would encourage a conversation as early as possible in the planning process.

This list of funders is not exhaustive, but it is a good starting point.

Wiltshire and Dorset Historic Churches Trusts
Erskine Muton Trust Fund (Dorset churches only)
National Churches Trust (50% required)
Benefact Trust (30% required)
Garfield Weston Foundation (50% required)
Laing Family Trusts
Henry Smith Charity
Bernard Sunley Foundation
Church Care grants
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (to reclaim VAT)
Heritage Fund from the National Lottery
Buildings For Mission, Minor Repairs and Improvements Grant Fund

Crossing the Threshold Toolkit

The Diocese of Hereford has created a detailed resource for anyone looking to manage a church buildings project. At 268 pages, it is a detailed and thorough step-by-step guide covering everything from articulating your vision, raising funds, cash flow and managing a successful build.

Specialist Funders

There are other funders with specific interests in the repair, replacement or restoration of eg church bells, monuments, clocks etc. Please check the Diocesan Grants Guide and the National Church Grants Guide – both are currently being updated, but are still useful.

Organ Funders

Stain glass funders

How we did it! Bell restoration at Barford St Martin

Community Work and Cost of Living Grants

Sometimes the work we carry out in our communities can be attractive to funders, if we are delivering social support that is open to all. This can also include work that we are delivering in partnership with other third sector organisations. Projects might include foodbanks, debt advice, discounted or free community spaces, cafes and clubs that reduce isolation and anxiety, providing friendship groups and warm spaces.

Some offer grants for running costs over a three-year period, and may be enough to get your project to a position where it is self-sustaining.

Find out about local funding opportunities through Dorset and Wiltshire Community Foundations here:

Home - Dorset Community Foundation
Sign up to their Grant Alert email here: Grants Alert Signup - Dorset Community Foundation

Wiltshire Community Foundation (wiltshirecf.org.uk)
Follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/cfwiltswindon

Webinar: The Plunkett Foundation

The Plunkett Foundation offers advice to churches looking to use space for a community projects, particularly if your aim is income generation or providing services to directly benefit the community, such as village shops, cafes and local services. Watch its webinar to find out more (Passcode: w&08FgS=)

Mission and Ministry

The following funds provide grants to help churches to fund mission initiatives, or welfare grants to support individuals in need, including members of the clergy.

Looking to establish a new parish or Deanery administrator?
The Fulmer Charitable Trust is keen to help with seed funding money to contribute to the first three years of new administrator posts to support clergy and release their time so that they may engage more with the wider community. For an initial discussion please contact Rev Philip Bromiley at philbromiley@gmail.com.

Environmental Projects

Low Carbon Dorset - Low Carbon Dorset - Helping reduce Dorset's footprint

Benefact Trust offer grants for church building improvement projects for: Energy efficiency/renewable energy measures (e.g. heating/lighting upgrades, solar panels, etc) which improve the sustainability of church buildings/facilities and enable their continued use.

You can search the Church Grants database: Login using your Church Code (from ACNY) and search on County and Environment.

Dioceses and parishes can now begin to submit applications for the first block of grants and schemes to help churches, cathedrals, schools and clergy housing to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. The Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme aims to equip, resource and support all parts of the Church to tackle climate change by reducing the carbon emissions arising from the energy used in our buildings, schools and through work related travel by 2030.

This document - A Short Guide to Net Zero Grants (PDF) - is aimed at giving you an overview of the projects on offer at this time.

Community buildings:

Groundworks are distributing Government funds for Community Halls and Hubs - but they must be delivering frontline services eg cafe, foodbank, post office, village shop. ONLY AVAILABLE 2024. Apply early; it will be oversubscribed. - NEWS: Free Independent Energy Assessments for VCSEs - Groundwork
Biffa support Community Buildings: village halls, community centres and church halls. Funding includes building refurbishments and internal works to kitchens, toilets, roofs, flooring, window, doors and heating systems - Community Buildings - Biffa Award (biffa-award.org) (Funding Maps for Dorset (docx) and Wiltshire (docx) areas)

Grant Giving Guides

Every few years National Church produces a guide to the main church funders. To complement this, the Salisbury Diocesan Funding Guide aims to include regional funders that may support church projects across Dorset and Wiltshire. Neither is an exhaustive list, and they are liable to change. If you spot any errors, please notify the Giving Team.

Tips for Writing a Proposal