Applications closed on 5 October 2026.

Many funders run the same grant every year, so check the funder’s site for a new round. The details below are what the funder published when it was open.

Suffolk Historic Churches Trust

Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Grants

Grants of up to GBP 20,000 towards the repair, conservation and improvement of churches, chapels and meeting houses in Suffolk, awarded four times a year. The Trust is non-denominational and all denominations are eligible, but the building must be in regular use as a public place of worship and accessible to the public. Most of the money comes from the annual Ride and Stride event each September. The next closing date is 5 October 2026, for the meeting on 19 October.

Check the funder’s site

Open grants like this

Grants you can apply for now, for the same kind of work or place.

You could get: Up to £20,000
Deadline: Closed; the deadline has passed
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Churches, chapels and meeting houses within the County of Suffolk, of any denomination — the Trust is explicitly non-denominational
The building must be in regular use as a public place of worship by a congregation, should in principle be of historic or architectural interest, and must be accessible to the public: either open, or with clear signage helping a visitor gain access
The project must have a properly scheduled programme of repairs drawn up by an approved architect or surveyor, and any necessary planning permission or Diocesan faculty must already have been granted
The applicant must show there is a need for financial support, and must believe it will be able to raise the remaining funds needed
The application must come from the PCC and not from other supporting organisations
Grants awarded but not claimed within two years lapse automatically, though they may be reconsidered on a fresh application
Major repairs can be phased

What it funds

Four categories. Category A, fabric repairs: roofs including re-thatching, rainwater goods, walls (not churchyard boundary walls) and buttresses, plaster and redecoration following work to the fabric, tower repairs but not new bell frames or re-casting of bells, porches, and window stonework and glass or lead repairs but not conservation of stained glass. Category B:

Liturgical reordering and other reordering, such as repairing or removing pews and choir stalls to make space for social or concert use
Electrical work including lighting, heating and heating boilers
Repairs to solid flooring

Category C: lavatories, kitchenettes, Disability Discrimination Act work such as access, handrails, hearing loops and exterior paths, CCTV and security cameras, historic churchyard walls and lychgates for emergency repairs only, conservation of wall paintings and stained glass and other conservation projects, if funds allow.

Category D: in exceptional circumstances, outside professional reports or guidance to prepare for applications to major grant funders such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund — approach the Grants Secretary first.

What it will not fund

Furnishings and fittings
Brasses and bells
Monuments
Organs
Redecoration, unless needed as part of an eligible project
New buildings or extensions to existing buildings
Clocks, save in exceptional circumstances
Roof alarms — the Trust's roof alarm programme against lead theft has closed, and churches are directed to the Benefact Trust
Retrospective work — no application can be considered for work already carried out, and normally work must not have started before the application is submitted
Churchyard boundary walls, under Category A fabric repairs
Conservation of stained glass, under Category A window repairs
New bell frames and the re-casting of bells

How to apply

Download the application form and guidance notes from the Trust's Grants page — or request them from the SHCT office by email or on 01787 883884
Complete the form in full, in Word on a computer or by hand; do not rely on referring to the supporting documentation for answers
Gather the supporting documents listed below, including a relevant extract from your Quinquennial Report rather than the whole thing
Email the form and attachments to shct@btconnect.com for the attention of the Grants Secretary, or post it to The Secretary, Grants Committee, Suffolk Historic Churches Trust, Brinkleys, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9JR
Submit at least three weeks before a Grants Committee meeting — earlier when bank holidays intervene — or the application may be deferred to the next meeting

all applications are acknowledged; if you receive no acknowledgement, contact the office

churches and chapels can become Friends of the Trust for GBP 25 a year, which waives the 2% grant application administrative charge and gives access to its guide to other grant aid

grants are claimed afterwards on a receipted contractor's invoice or an architect's interim payment certificate showing completed work at least equal in value to the award

Have ready

A scheduled programme of repairs drawn up by an approved architect or surveyor
A contractor's estimate, with contractor's costs, professional fees, a contingency figure and total VAT shown separately
A summary of the project and its cost written on the form itself, because the form may be circulated to Grants Committee members without the supporting documents
A copy of your latest accounts, plus the financial summary section completed on the form — General Fund, Restricted Funds and Designated or Fabric Funds, with balances given after any funds already contributed to this project have been deducted
Evidence of the necessary planning permission or Diocesan faculty
A relevant extract from your Quinquennial Report, and photographs that help explain the project — complete copies of the Quinquennial Report are not required

if the works are phased, state the individual phases clearly. VAT can be offset under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme.