GrantRadar

National Churches Trust

Northern Ireland Church Repair Grants

A time-limited offer for listed church buildings of all denominations in Northern Ireland, funded by the Department for Communities, for essential and urgent repairs. It runs through the National Churches Trust's Medium and Large Grants with later deadlines for Northern Ireland: Medium Grants (repairs costing up to £80,000) can give up to £40,000 in Northern Ireland, capped at 50% of the cost, with a deadline of 19 January 2027; Large Grants (structural repairs over £80,000, usually up to £50,000) have a Stage One deadline of 13 December 2026. The Trust is a late-stage funder: you must already have raised half the cost.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £50,000
Deadline
93 days left
19 January
Effort
Heavy
budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

  • Christian places of worship of any denomination in Northern Ireland whose building is listed, was originally built as a place of worship more than 30 years ago, holds at least six public services a year, and is (or will be after the project) open to the public beyond worship at least 100 days a year
  • You must own the building or have the right to do the work, have all permissions in place, and have raised at least 50% of this phase's cost
  • Repair projects must be led by an architect on the Architects Register or a RICS/FRICS chartered building surveyor with conservation accreditation from a recognised body
  • Medium Grants need at least two quotes
  • Places of worship with income over £100,000 must be registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (or show registration is in process); churches in small or independent denominations must have charitable status; a safeguarding policy is required
  • Large Grant projects must be in the planning stage and deliverable within two years

What it funds

Essential or urgent repairs to listed places of worship in Northern Ireland, through:

  • Medium Grants - urgent and essential maintenance and repair projects costing between £1,000 and £80,000 including VAT; up to £40,000 in Northern Ireland, and no more than 50% of the project cost
  • Large Grants - major urgent and structural repair projects costing over £80,000 including VAT and fees; the Trust usually awards up to £50,000 (average currently about £21,000)

The extended Northern Ireland deadlines apply to repair grants only. Project development and kitchen/accessible toilet grants keep the standard UK deadlines (Medium 15 December, Large 3 November 2026).

What it will not fund

  • Buildings not originally built as places of worship, or built less than 30 years ago
  • Unlisted buildings (for this Northern Ireland funding)
  • New build or stand-alone structures (exemptions possible on request for Grade I or A listed buildings, endorsed by the Department for Communities or another heritage body)
  • Projects that have already started (Large Grants)
  • Projects without at least 50% of this phase's cost already raised

How to apply

  1. Check the Medium or Large Grant eligibility criteria and read the Trust's guide for that grant
  2. Contact the Northern Ireland Support Officer, Kerry Rooney, with any eligibility questions
  3. Register on the Trust's online grant portal, Benefactor, and apply for a Medium Grant (deadline Tuesday 19 January 2027) or a Large Grant Stage One (deadline Sunday 13 December 2026)
  4. Large Grants: the Trust tells you by Monday 21 December 2026 whether you can progress; submit the Stage Two application by Sunday 17 January 2027, with final decisions in March

Tick the box on the form to be considered for the Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant and other partner funders' grants distributed alongside the Trust's own.

Have ready

Note: The Medium and Large Grant guides list the documents needed; the eligibility questions also require evidence of permissions (e.g. property consent, Listed Building authorisation, trustee minutes, planning permission), a qualified professional leading the work, at least two quotes (Medium Grants) and 50% of funding raised.

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