The Congregational and General Charitable Trust has recently increased its maximum grant level and now provides capital grants up to £25,000 (previously the maximum grant was £10,000) for community initiatives that support the United Reformed Church and other churches in the Protestant tradition, as well as church-based community projects (the Trust also has an objective to contribute to the funds of any charitable institutions, associations, funds or objects to carry out any charitable purpose. Its principal activity, however, continues to be that of helping sustain places of worship and Christian projects by the making of grants).
The Trust will provide grant support for building or property projects and church community projects seeking a contribution towards capital costs. Awards are made on a one-off basis and are now between £1,000 and £25,000. The Trust expects to award grants totalling £100,000 every 3 months.
Grants agreed go towards supporting the upkeep of the church properties, many of which can be either Grade 1 or 2 listed properties and are expensive to maintain. Assistance with damaged roofs, dry rot and water ingress are regular requests that have been supported. Other areas of support include assistance with disability access, disability toilets, window repairs and lighting and heating issues. Many of the churches have connected buildings which accommodate various community groups and small charitable organisations. These can include dementia groups, youth clubs, food banks and breakfast clubs. The Trust believes it is also important that these properties are maintained to ensure that such groups can continue to support their local communities.
The Trust encourages churches to take professional advice (for example, Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Site Management) in preparing for and undertaking building projects. These costs can be included in the total project costs when applying for a grant.
During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Trust funded over 40 churches with grants totalling £576,000.
Funding is not available for:
o Conservation/restoration of works of art.
o Graveyard maintenance.
o Manse works.
o Organ and Church bells restoration, or
o Running costs of the church.
Further information, guidance and an application form, which can be downloaded, is available on the Trust’s website. The Trust meets every 3 months to review applications.
The next closing date for applications is 10am on Tuesday 16th August 2022 for the Trust’s meeting on Tuesday 6th September 2022.
Contact details for the Trust are:
Trish Thorpe
Trust Administrator
Congregational and General Charitable Trust
PO Box 1111
Lincoln
LN5 0WJ
Tel: 07717 744089
Email enquiries(at)candgtrust.org.uk
