Current Funding Opportunities

Here’s a list of the current (updated 20 August 2026) third party grant-making bodies open to applications:

Funding – the following funding opportunities are presently available.

New Round of Large Grants for Urgent and Essential Church Repairs (UK)

National Churches Trust is accepting applications to its Large Grants programme.
The Trust offers grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 for urgent and essential structural repair projects (costed at more than £80,000) to buildings that were originally built as churches, or the installation of kitchen and toilets (costed at more than £30,000 including VAT). Match funding of at least 50% is required. The average grant is around £21,000.
Applications will be considered from listed and unlisted Christian places of worship, of any denomination, in the UK that are open for at least six services of public worship a year. Although not listed as distinct priorities, the Trust seeks more applications from non-Anglican denominations and a geographic spread.
Priority is given to:

• Work to architecturally and historically significant buildings.
• Urgent/essential structural repair projects (as identified in a recent QIR or building survey as required within two years), with a focus on buildings that are at risk.
• Installation of kitchens and toilets where a strong need can be demonstrated.
• Places of worship that can demonstrate a suitable maintenance system is in place to protect the investment.
• Places of worship with regular opening hours.
• Places of worship that can demonstrate strong community engagement and sound plans for economic viability.

There are usually three funding rounds per year. There is a two-stage application process.
Large grants | National Churches Trust
The next deadline for stage 1 applications is 3 November 2026 (midnight).

Stained Glass Grants

William and Jane Morris Grant with application deadlines (each year) 31 March and 31 August. Churches, chapels, or other places of worship located in the UK are eligible if seeking funding for the conservation of historic decorative features or monuments rather than general building repair works. Details can be found here.
Idlewild Trust: Conservation – Objects and Works of Art (Up to £8,000) The Conservation programme supports the conservation of culturally significant objects and works of art of recognised national or international importance and details can be found here. Details can be found here.
Round 1 (2026) Deadline: 4 September 2026 (midday)
Round 2 (2026/27) Deadline: 12 February 2027 (midday)

Architectural Heritage Fund – Project Development Grants

AHF deliver targeted investment that leads to the sustainable reuse and management of historic buildings. The Project Development Grant is to develop a historic building project before works starts and can be up to £30,000 (average around £13,000) for project development and coordination costs
Project Viability Grants

• What it is: Small grant to test future uses for historic buildings
• Amount: Up to £10,000 (often around £6,000)
• For: Feasibility / viability studies only (no building works)
• Who: Not‑for‑profit and community groups
• Why: Helps unlock bigger funding later
• Where: Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
• Who: Charities and not‑for‑profits
• Stage: After feasibility, before construction
• Support: Welsh Government / Cadw (in Wales)

Find out more information here.

Capital Grants for Community Facilities in Coalfield Communities (Wales) Wrexham area

With funding from the Welsh Government, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is offering capital grants of between £500 and £7,000 to voluntary and community organisations who manage their community facilities in an eligible coalfield community of Wales.

The funding is intended to support community and voluntary organisations to maintain or improve community facilities and buildings they own or manage on a long-term lease, for the benefit of coalfield communities in Wales.

Only certain wards within the Local Authorities of Wrexham are eligible. See website for full details

Organisations can be outside an eligible coalfield area if they can demonstrate that the project will benefit people from coalfield areas in Wales.

There are no deadlines. Applications are considered on a rolling basis: https://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/ 

Funding to Support Capital Works on Christian Buildings Across the UK

Benefact Trust is offering grants to support capital works to protect and enhance Christian church and charity buildings, ensuring their continued use and viability, and the safeguarding of their heritage.

The Building Improvement Grants Fund will support direct capital costs relating to the following types of work:

• Essential, one-off repairs or other capital works to ensure the continued use or viability of a building.
• Minor capital works or equipment purchases to meet operational or accessibility requirements.
• Conservation or restoration of historic features that contribute to the preservation and appreciation of a building’s heritage.
• Other aesthetic enhancements.
• Energy efficiency/renewable energy measures.

The average decision time for smaller grants (up to £25,000) is two months. Larger grants (over £25,000) are considered at grants committee and board meetings and can take between four and six months.

Applications can be submitted at any time.  See website for full details https://benefacttrust.co.uk/

National Lottery Heritage Fund – 2033 New Programme now Open £10,000 to £10 million

The new National Lottery Heritage programme is now open. It’s main themes are

• Saving Heritage
• Protecting the environment
• Inclusion, access and participation
• Organisational sustainability

The heritage grants can support a broad range of activities and direct project costs, such as:

• volunteer expenses, new staff posts and training costs
• capital works, repair, maintenance and conservation
• professional fees, event costs and activities to strengthen your organisation
• acquisition of heritage and costs associated with the purchase
• costs to join Fit for the Future, a UK-wide environmental sustainability network

See website for full details https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/in-your-area/wales

Benefact Trust

Community Funding for Christian Charities and Organisations Across the UK and Ireland

Benefact Trust is offering grants for Christian organisations across the UK and Ireland to deliver a range of projects and activities that will make a positive and transformative impact in lives and communities.

Through the Community Impact Grants Programme, funding is available for projects that fall under the following programme areas:

• Growing congregations and Christian communities.
• Addressing social challenges facing communities.
• Enabling wider community use of church buildings.
• Empowering Christian Education.

Multi-year grants covering up to three years are available.

Funding can be used to cover direct capital and revenue costs that are directly related to the proposed project. Applications can be submitted at any time. https://benefacttrust.co.uk/