Research the money before the technology
Funding decides what most churches can actually do. These are the schemes worth knowing, with eligibility and how to apply, checked against the official sources.
Benefact Trust Building Improvement Grants
A rolling grant programme for Christian places of worship and church buildings. Covers capital works including heating, energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures. Small grants under £25,000 are decided within about two months.
Check eligibility →UK Government (DLUHC)Community Ownership Fund
A UK-wide fund helping communities take ownership of assets at risk of closure. Churches that are community-run or being transferred to community ownership may be eligible for capital funding up to £250,000 (or £1 million in exceptional cases).
Check eligibility →Church of England dioceses (varies by diocese)Diocesan Grants and Loans
Many Church of England dioceses operate their own grant and loan schemes for parish churches, often including funds specifically for heating, energy efficiency or building repairs. Amounts and eligibility vary widely.
Check eligibility →Energy Saving Trust (on behalf of Ofgem)Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme
A fund distributing voluntary payments made by energy companies that have breached regulations. Community buildings, including churches, can apply for grants to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty.
Check eligibility →Garfield Weston FoundationGarfield Weston Foundation
One of the UK's largest independent grant-makers. Funds capital projects for churches including heating, with regular grants typically between £5,000 and £100,000. Churches must demonstrate community benefit.
Check eligibility →UK Government (DCMS)Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
Now closed. The long-running VAT-refund scheme for listed places of worship stopped accepting applications, with a final-year cap of £25,000 per claimant and a hard cut-off of 31 March 2026. It has been replaced by the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
Check eligibility →National Churches TrustNational Churches Trust Grants
The National Churches Trust runs several grant programmes for churches and chapels across the UK, funding urgent repairs, community facilities, and maintenance projects. Grants range from a few hundred pounds up to £50,000.
Check eligibility →National Lottery Community FundNational Lottery Community Fund
The UK's largest community funder, distributing National Lottery money. The Awards for All programme offers grants of £300 to £10,000 for community projects, and larger programmes fund projects up to £500,000 and beyond.
Check eligibility →National Lottery Heritage FundNational Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated funder of heritage in the UK. Churches with heritage significance can apply for grants from £10,000 to over £5 million for projects that conserve heritage and engage communities.
Check eligibility →UK Government (DCMS), delivered by Historic EnglandPlaces of Worship Renewal Fund
The successor to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: £92 million over four years for capital works to listed places of worship in England, any faith, with grants from £10,000 to £1 million.
Check eligibility →Salix Finance (on behalf of DESNZ)Salix Finance / Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme
The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funds heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency in public sector buildings in England. Churches are not directly eligible, but church schools and buildings owned by local authorities may qualify.
Check eligibility →Wolfson FoundationWolfson Foundation
A major UK funder of capital projects including church buildings. Grants start at £15,000 through the Funding for Places programme. A separate Fabric Repair scheme with the National Churches Trust offers up to £10,000 for listed churches.
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