GrantRadar

Congregational & General Charitable Trust

Congregational & General Charitable Trust Church Building Grants

The Congregational & General Charitable Trust gives grants of £1,000 to £25,000 (no more than 25% of total project cost) towards church building projects such as repairs, improvements and extensions, and capital costs of church community projects. Although the Trust funds churches of the Protestant tradition in general, it currently accepts applications only from United Reformed Church (URC) and Congregational Federation churches 'until further notice' because of application volumes. Applications are reviewed quarterly; the next closing date is 10am on 27 October 2026 for the 3 December 2026 trustee meeting.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£1,000 – £25,000
Closes in
9 days left
27 October
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Churches in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
  • The Trust's remit is United Reformed and Congregational churches and other churches of the Protestant tradition, but it currently states: 'we can currently not accept applications from applicants other than URC and Congregational Federation until further notice'
  • Churches that have received a grant must wait 2 years before reapplying

What it funds

Capital building projects for churches:

  • Repairs
  • Improvements
  • Extensions
  • Church care and upkeep
  • Access improvements such as ramps and entrances
  • Fixtures and fittings as part of an overall project
  • Display screens and audio equipment
  • Capital costs (not ongoing work) of church community projects

Professional fees (architects, quantity surveyors, site management) can be included in total project costs.

Grants are up to 25% of total project cost (to the nearest £100), at Trustees' discretion depending on denomination, type of work and the project's aim.

What it will not fund

  • Running costs of the church
  • Organ and church bell restoration
  • Conservation or restoration of works of art
  • Manse works
  • Graveyard maintenance and grounds work
  • Solar panels or other environmental projects not part of wider development work
  • Projects already commenced (retrospective applications)
  • Projects costing over £1 million, including part projects where the total exceeds this
  • Car parking, consumables and building purchases
  • Christian schools and spiritual garden projects
  • Organisations based outside the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man

How to apply

  1. Read the funding guidance and FAQs and check your church is URC or Congregational Federation
  2. Download and fully complete the grant application form, including the date and signature sections
  3. Attach the required supporting documents, keeping the whole application to no more than 10 pages
  4. Email the application to admin@candgtrust.org.uk before 10:00am on the closing date (next: 27 October 2026, for the 3 December 2026 trustee meeting)
  5. Applicants are notified within 5 working days after the quarterly trustee meeting

Applications are considered quarterly in March, June, September and December; closing dates are posted on the Trust's website and are always at 10:00am.

Grants are paid in one payment to the church bank account on claim; projects must be completed within 2 years.

Have ready

  • Completed and signed grant application form
  • Latest audited (or internal) accounts including balance sheet, relating directly to the applicant
  • Documents supporting estimated project costs, such as contractor quotes (no older than 9 months) and reports
  • Optional: appeal leaflets and project literature

The whole application must not exceed 10 pages and is accepted by email only.

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