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 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.
Objectives of Fund
The Medium Grants programme (formerly Gateway Grants) 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.
As of 3 March 2025, the Small Grants programme has been merged into the Medium Grants programme.
Value Notes
Grants of up to £10,000 are available to cover projects up to £80,000 (including VAT and fees).
Match Funding Restrictions
Match funding of at least 50% is required. Applicants should have already raised 50% of the total project cost.
Who Can Apply
Places of worship of any Christian denomination and age can apply.
Applications will be considered from listed and unlisted Christian places of worship across the UK.
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.
Restrictions
Funding is not available for the following:
- Repairs to, or scheduled maintenance of boilers, clocks, organs, wall paintings, bells, monuments, fittings and fixtures and solar panels.
- Heating, lighting, and AV.
- Reordering or installation of facilities.
- Construction of new places of worship or church halls.
- Works to boundary walls, paths, churchyards, churchyard monuments or car parks.
- Stained glass restoration (unless urgent repairs to window surrounds or lead cames, or the building is no longer watertight).
- Regular inspection surveys, Quinquennial Inspection Reports, consents, and planning permission fees.
- Existing staff costs.
- Training in maintenance skills/knowledge.
- Redecoration.
- Replacement of historic fabric with new materials unless supported by your statutory heritage body eg, Historic England.
Eligible Expenditure
Grants can be used either for:
- Project development – developing a church building project such as feasibility studies, options appraisals, investigative work and development work up to RIBA Planning Stage 1.
- Urgent and essential maintenance and repair projects costing between £20,000 and £80,000, including VAT.
Priority will be given to:
- Work on architecturally and historically significant buildings.
- Urgent/essential maintenance and repair projects as evidenced in a recent QIR, building survey, or condition report.
- Places of worship that can demonstrate a suitable maintenance system is in place, including a maintenance plan, to protect your building and our investment.
- Places of worship with regular opening hours.
- Places of worship that can demonstrate strong community engagement and sound plans for economic viability.
Grants of up to £10,000 will also be awarded to local church trusts to fund projects that support organisational development, increase their capacity to churches in their area, or that deliver new ways of supporting churches in their area.
How To Apply
The Grants Committee meets three times a year (usually in March, July and November).
The next deadline for applications is 15 December 2026 (23:59).
Guidance notes and the online application form can be found on the Trust’s website.
Contact The National Churches Trust for further information.