Grant Making Bodies
Below is a list of grant making bodies that your Church or Circuit could apply to for projects - both building and ministry.
We'd advise you to firstly check the eligibility criteria for each of the funds before you spend time working on an application.
Also remember that some grant making bodies will grant towards part of a project even if the whole project doesn't meet their criteria (for example a secular grant making body may not grant towards your youthworker in general because there is a faith based element to their work but it may offer an allocation towards their work in a school running a cookery club or the like).
District Grants
If your application is for a Personnel project (ministry & mission appointments), for grants towards the cost of outreach events and activities, or for courses and training for lay people, please contact: The District Grants Officer, Rev Colin Watkins on 07940 483940. Email:
If your application is for the Small Missional Grants Fund (up to £1,000 for new or occasional mission work), please contact: The District Mission Enabler, Dr Yasmin Finch on 07543 592019. Email:
If your application is for a Property scheme, please contact: Shaun Cushion or Danielle Gravestock on 07434 934182. Email:
We have two primary sources of funds, the Hunter Rowe Fund and the District Advance Fund. Please begin with Shaun or Danielle, who will guide you through the process. Shaun is the Hunter Rowe Administrator and he will send to you whichever application forms are appropriate to your scheme. Please return to him only your completed application to the Hunter Rowe Trust, one month prior to the next District Grants Committee meeting (dates are found in the diary pages in the District Directory or in the diary on the District website).
If you are seeking funding from the District Advance Fund, the form for this must be returned to Colin Watkins, the District Grants Officer, also one month prior to the next Grants Committee meeting.
It is essential that you also contact the District Property Secretary, Mr Roy Hollands on 07766 185897. Email: because no property grant can be claimed until the District Property Secretary gives consent to the scheme.
If you are a Presbyter or Deacon, and you are seeking to claim up to two thirds of the cost towards a course, training or development event (max. claim £300) please contact: the District Training Fund Officer, Rev Dr Richman Ncube, 01485 570232. Email:
If your claim for a course or training event (including support for degree courses and studies) exceeds £300 per annum please talk to both Richman and to Colin Watkins as larger training grants can be considered by the District Grants Committee.
Action for Hope - Eco Grants - Small grants of up to £1,000 can be granted for small Eco projects. Grants over £1,000 will be proportional ot the total amount of the project, please contact District Property Secrtary, Roy Hollands on 07766 185897. Email:
When making your application please be aware of the criteria outlined in the District Grant Making Policy – which is available on the District website under Online Resources/Policy Documents and Forms; you can also find the relevant grant appliation forms here too and further District grant information.
Websites with comprehensive lists
This website lists Christian Funders - https://www.ecclesiastical.com/church/fundraising/funds/
This website lists funders for Church buildings - https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/buildings-maintenance/major-grant-funders
These websites are search engines for local secular funding:
Norfolk - https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/norfolk_com
Suffolk - https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/suffolk
Cambridgeshire - https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/supportcambs
Funders And Grant Making Bodies
Joseph Rank Trust - https://www.ranktrust.org/the-trust.htm
Benefact Trust - https://benefacttrust.co.uk/
Methodist Insurance Grants - https://www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/grant-giving/
National Churches Trust - https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/grants
Garfield Weston Foundation - https://garfieldweston.org/
Entrust Landfill Community Fund - https://www.entrust.org.uk/landfill-community-fund/
Hunter Rowe - please email the Hunter Rowe administrator, Mr Shaun Cushion or Danielle Gravestock for more details on
Norwood & Newton Settlement - https://norwoodandnewton.co.uk/
TMCP Discretionary Fund - https://www.tmcp.org.uk/money/grants
Grant Funders A to Z for East Anglia Methodist Churches
If a funder is on this list its because they do give funding to churches/Christian organisations and they will fund projects in Norfolk/Suffolk/Cambs.
A
- ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England)
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: £2,000 to £75,000 (up to 20% of project costs).
- Deadline: Periodic windows
- Notes: Funds improvements to multi-purpose rural community halls. Eligible for church halls if they act as the primary village hall in areas under 10,000 population.
- Apply: https://acre.org.uk/
- Albert Hunt Trust
- Funding Type: Core, Revenue, and Capital.
- Value: £1,000 to £10,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Supports local charities, including faith groups, promoting health, wellbeing, hospice care, or supporting the homeless.
- Apply: https://www.alberthunttrust.org.uk/
- Arts Council England (National Lottery Project Grants)
- Funding Type: Revenue/Project.
- Value: Up to £30,000, or £30,000 to £100,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds arts and culture projects. Churches can apply if the project engages the wider public (e.g., heritage displays, concerts) and does not promote religious beliefs.
- Apply: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/ProjectGrants
- Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: £1,000 or £5,000.
- Deadline: Specific thematic rounds.
- Notes: Funds specific annual themes. For 2026, theme is Unpaid Adult Carers.
- Apply: https://austin-hope-pilkington.org.uk/
B
- B&Q Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Up to £10,000.
- Deadline: Specific windows
- Notes: Funds charities providing direct housing accommodation or supporting people moving into their own homes.
- Apply: https://www.neighbourly.com/HomeImprovementGrants2026
- BA Better World Community Fund
- Funding Type: Match-funding.
- Value: Up to £5,000 match-funding.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Crowdfunding match fund. Faith groups can use it for entirely secular community outreach initiatives.
- Apply: https://bacommunityfund.co.uk/
- Barchester’s Charitable Foundation
- Funding Type: Equipment and Capital (small).
- Value: £100 to £5,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Exclusively funds equipment and activities tackling loneliness for older people (65+) and adults with disabilities.
- Apply: https://www.bhcfoundation.org.uk/
- BBC Children in Need
- Funding Type: Project and Core.
- Value: Up to £120,000 (over 3 years).
- Deadline: Rolling/Quarterly.
- Notes: Funds projects focused entirely on disadvantaged children and young people (under 18). Will fund churches running secular youth provisions.
- Apply: https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/
- Benefact Trust
- Funding Type: Capital and Revenue.
- Value: Variable.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Major funder for churches. Offers Community Impact Grants (social outreach), Building Grants (repairs/carbon reduction), and specific Methodist Grants.
- Apply: https://benefacttrust.co.uk/
- Bernard Sunley Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Under £5,000 to £25,000+.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds community building works. Churches must demonstrate high levels of secular community use. Excludes bells, organs, and towers.
- Apply: https://www.bernardsunley.org/
- BlueSpark Foundation
- Funding Type: Project/Equipment.
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds projects that improve the education and development of children and young people.
- Apply: https://bluesparkfoundation.org.uk/
- Buttle UK
- Funding Type: Individual/Family crisis grants.
- Value: Up to £2,400 per family.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Church leaders/support workers apply on behalf of destitute families for essentials like beds and white goods.
- Apply: https://buttleuk.org/
C
- Cadent Foundation
- Funding Type: Project and Core.
- Value: Up to £100,000.
- Deadline: Rolling/Specific windows.
- Notes: Focuses on debt advice, energy efficiency, and digital inclusion in the East of England.
- Apply: https://cadentfoundation.com/
D
- DCMS: Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
- Funding Type: VAT Recovery.
- Value: Reimburses 20% VAT on eligible works.
- Deadline: Ongoing.
- Notes: Government mechanism to claim back VAT spent on building fabric repairs for listed places of worship.
- Apply: https://www.lpwscheme.org.uk/
E
- Entrust Landfill Community Fund
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Variable.
- Deadline: Varies by local distributor.
- Notes: Distributor of landfill tax credits. Ideal for public amenity repairs like church halls, provided you are near an eligible landfill site.
- Apply: https://www.entrust.org.uk/landfill-community-fund/
F
- Ford Britain Trust
- Funding Type: Revenue / Small Equipment.
- Value: £250 to £3,000+.
- Deadline: Vary by grant size.
- Notes: Funds community benefits like youth activities, disability support, and environmental projects.
- Apply: https://www.ford.co.uk/experience-ford/about-ford/ford-britain-trust
- Forte Charitable Foundation (Formerly Trusthouse)
- Funding Type: Revenue, Core, and Salaries.
- Value: £10,000 to £100,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds frontline community projects. Churches must be in the most deprived 15% (urban) or 50% (rural) of the IMD to qualify.
- Apply: https://www.fortecharitablefoundation.org.uk/
G
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital, Revenue, and Project.
- Value: Regular (under £100k) and Major (£100k+).
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Major national funder. Requires at least 50% match funding for capital church projects and audited accounts.
- Apply: https://garfieldweston.org/
H
- Heritage Lottery Fund (National Lottery Heritage Fund)
- Funding Type: Capital and Revenue.
- Value: £10,000 to £10 million.
- Deadline: Rolling or Quarterly based on size.
- Notes: Historic church building repairs and community heritage engagement.
- Apply: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/
- Home Office - Protective Security Schemes for Places of Worship
- Funding Type: Capital (Security).
- Value: Covers specific equipment.
- Deadline: Annual windows.
- Notes: Government scheme funding CCTV, fencing, and security doors for faith institutions vulnerable to hate crime.
- Apply: https://www.gov.uk/
- Hunter Rowe Trust
J
- Joseph Rank Trust
- Funding Type: Capital and Revenue.
- Value: Variable.
- Deadline: Rolling (Meets 4 times a year).
- Notes: Independent Christian grant maker supporting Methodism. Match funding required for revenue projects, but not capital.
- Apply: https://www.ranktrust.org/the-trust.htm
K
- Kelly Family Charitable Trust
- Funding Type: Project, Core, and Capital.
- Value: £1,000 to £5,000.
- Deadline: Bi-annual (Spring and Autumn).
- Notes: Focuses exclusively on interventions that strengthen the family unit, such as parenting support and mediation.
- Apply: https://kfct.org.uk/
L
- Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital (Equipment).
- Value: Up to £1,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds physical items (like laptops or community kitchen equipment) for vulnerable people.
- Apply: https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/
- Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales
- Funding Type: Unrestricted Core / Revenue.
- Value: Up to £75,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds inclusive charities tackling complex social issues. Requires an annual income between £25,000 and £500,000.
- Apply: https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/
M
- Matrix Causes Fund
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: Up to £3,000.
- Deadline: Quarterly.
- Notes: Promotes access to justice and supports vulnerable people like prisoners or asylum seekers.
- Apply: https://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/
- Money Saving Expert (MSE) Charity
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: Up to £8,000.
- Deadline: Thematic windows.
- Notes: Funds financial life skills and debt management projects (e.g., CAP centres).
- Apply: https://www.msecharity.com/
- Morrisons Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital and Project.
- Value: Up to £10,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds community projects improving people's lives. Does not fund core salaries.
- Apply: https://www.morrisonsfoundation.com/
- Moto in the Community Trust
- Funding Type: Community/Project.
- Value: Up to £1,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Localised funding for community outreach projects situated within a 15-mile radius of a Moto service area.
- Apply: https://www.motointhecommunity.co.uk/
N
- National Churches Trust
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Up to £50,000.
- Deadline: Tranches throughout the year.
- Notes: Funds major repairs and essential maintenance. Requires 50% match funding secured before applying.
- Apply: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/grants
P
- Percy Bilton Charity
- Funding Type: Capital (Building/Equipment).
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Must directly benefit disadvantaged youth, older people, or people with disabilities.
- Apply: https://www.percy-bilton-charity.org/
R
- Rank Foundation
- Funding Type: Primarily Capital.
- Value: Up to £4,000 (Pebble Grants).
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Pebble Grants support small capital projects for Christian organisations with project costs under £150,000.
- Apply: https://rankfoundation.com/
S
- Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Often £10,000+.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds the repair and restoration of historic church buildings.
- Apply: https://www.sfct.org.uk/
- Screwfix Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Quarterly.
- Notes: Fixes and maintains community buildings.
- Apply: https://www.screwfix.com/help/screwfixfoundation
- Sport England
- Funding Type: Capital and Revenue.
- Value: £300 to £15,000 (Small).
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funding must deliver physical activity or sports to the wider secular community.
- Apply: https://www.sportengland.org/
- St. James's Place Charitable Foundation
- Funding Type: Revenue, Core, Capital.
- Value: Up to £10,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Supports faith-based charities if the focus is on disadvantaged youth, disabilities, mental health, or cancer support.
- Apply: https://www.sjpfoundation.co.uk/
- Steel Charitable Trust
- Funding Type: Core, Revenue, Capital.
- Value: £2,500 to £25,000.
- Deadline: Quarterly.
- Notes: Funds social disadvantage and heritage. Will fund religious buildings with strong community welfare links.
- Apply: https://steelcharitabletrust.org.uk/
T
- The Albert Gubay Foundation
- Funding Type: Project, Core, Capital.
- Value: Variable.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Major funder of Christian charitable projects helping the disadvantaged, sick, or elderly.
- Apply: https://www.albertgubayfoundation.org/
- The Anchor Foundation
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: £500 to £10,000.
- Deadline: Bi-annual.
- Notes: Exists to support Christian charities concerned with social inclusion, particularly through the arts and healing.
- Apply: https://www.theanchorfoundation.org.uk/
- The Calisen Impact Charitable Trust
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: Variable.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds community projects focusing on education, STEM, and reducing fuel poverty.
- Apply: https://www.calisen.com/
- The Fat Beehive Foundation
- Funding Type: Digital/Tech.
- Value: Up to £2,500.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Exclusively funds charities (income under £400k) to build websites or digital products.
- Apply: https://www.fatbeehivefoundation.org.uk/
- The King Charles III Charitable Fund
- Funding Type: Project/Core.
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Funds grassroots community projects focusing on environment, social inclusion, and heritage.
- Apply: https://www.kccf.org.uk/
- The Leathersellers’ Company
- Funding Type: Unrestricted Core.
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Fast, accessible grants supporting vulnerable people in deprived areas.
- Apply: https://leathersellers.co.uk/
- The Matthew Good Foundation
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Quarterly.
- Notes: Funds small, local community projects with an income under £50,000.
- Apply: https://www.matthewgoodfoundation.org/
- The Schroder Charity Trust
- Funding Type: Core and Project.
- Value: Up to £5,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Focuses on disadvantaged youth and strengthening communities (income between £150k and £1m).
- Apply: https://schrodercharitytrust.org/
- The Souter Charitable Trust
- Funding Type: Project and Core.
- Value: £1,000 to £3,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Highly recommended for projects engaged in the relief of human suffering with a distinct Christian emphasis. No capital works.
- Apply: https://www.soutercharitabletrust.org.uk/
V
- Veolia Environmental Trust – Community Grants Scheme
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: £10,000 to £75,000.
- Deadline: Quarterly.
- Notes: Funds community buildings. You must be located within 5 miles of a qualifying Veolia site.
- Apply: https://www.veoliatrust.org/
W
- Westhill Endowment Grant
- Funding Type: Project.
- Value: £500 to £20,000.
- Deadline: Termly.
- Notes: Financially supports formal and informal religious education and faith-motivated community transformation projects.
- Apply: https://www.westhillendowment.org/
- Wolfson Foundation
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: £15,000 to £100,000+.
- Deadline: Bi-annual (January and July).
- Notes: Major capital funder for historic religious buildings and general community spaces.
- Apply: https://www.wolfson.org.uk/
- Wooden Spoon
- Funding Type: Capital.
- Value: Average £30,000.
- Deadline: Rolling.
- Notes: Exclusively funds capital projects physically improving the lives of disadvantaged children or children with disabilities (e.g., sensory rooms).
- Apply: https://woodenspoon.org.uk/
Grant Funding Glossary
Capital Funding (or Capital Costs)
Money given to buy, build, or improve physical, long-lasting assets. For a church, this typically means building repairs, extensions, a new roof, purchasing a minibus or installing a new boiler or kitchen. Capital funding generally cannot be used to pay for the day to day running of the church.
Core Funding (or Overheads)
Money used to keep the organisation itself running, rather than funding a specific project. This covers the essential background costs that allow the church or charity to exist, such as general administration, insurance, building maintenance, and the salary of a central administrator. Core funding is often the hardest type of grant to secure.
Crowdfunding
A method of raising money for a project by inviting a large number of people to each make a small contribution, typically online through dedicated platforms (like Crowdfunder, JustGiving, or Big Give). Instead of relying on one large grant from a single trust, you build a public campaign to gather grassroots support from your congregation and local community.
Excepted Charity
Many Methodist Churches are legally recognised as charities but are "excepted" from having to formally register with the Charity Commission. Currently, a Methodist Church only needs to register and receive its own distinct Charity Registration Number if its annual income is over £100,000. If your church's income is under this £100,000 threshold, you are legally an "Excepted Charity." Almost all grant application forms have a mandatory box asking for your Charity Number. If you are an excepted charity, you cannot leave this blank, or automated systems may reject your application and you should write "Excepted Charity" in the box.
Full Cost Recovery
A budgeting method where you calculate the direct costs of running a project (like materials), plus a fair, proportional share of your core overheads (like the electricity the project uses or the time the administrator spends managing the project’s payroll). Many modern funders allow you to apply for full cost recovery so your church doesn’t lose money by hosting the project.
Match Funding
When a funder agrees to give you a grant, but only if you have already raised a certain percentage of the money yourself from other sources. For example, if a funder offers a 50% match-funded grant for a £10,000 project, you must prove you have already raised £5,000 before they will release their £5,000.
Project Funding (or Direct Costs)
A specific type of revenue funding given to run a distinct, time limited activity. The money must be spent exactly on the items needed for that activity. For example, if you receive a grant to run a youth club, the project funding covers the sessional youth worker’s pay, the craft materials, and the snacks for that specific club.
Restricted Funds
A grant or donation given on the strict condition that it is only spent on a specific purpose chosen by the funder (e.g., “This £5,000 is strictly for the repair of the church tower”). You legally cannot spend this money on anything else.
Revenue Funding (or Revenue Costs)
Money used for the day to day running of an organisation or the costs of making a specific project happen. This includes things like staff salaries, heating, lighting, rent, stationery and project materials. Revenue costs do not result in a physical asset at the end.
Unrestricted Funds
Money given to your organisation to use however you see fit, provided it meets your overall charitable aims. You can put unrestricted funds toward your core overheads, save them in reserves or use them to plug a gap in a specific project budget.