Property Grants
Due to limited resources, we can only signpost managing trustees to other resources. In terms of funding opportunities, we would recommend the following:
- There is Feasibility Funding available from the Property Development Committee, which offers match funding for the initial costs of scoping out ideas.
- Methodist Insurance have a fundraising support page with a list of external grant providers as well as tips for a successful application. You can find more information on Fundraising Support Hub.
- You could apply for a Landfill Grant. You would need to do quick check to see if you are eligible. TMCP have produced a helpful flowchart, click here to view. As well, please be aware that you can apply to more than one landfill operator if eligible.
- If your church is listed or in a Conservation area, you could look for funding opportunities on Conservation News, Funding and Training.
- If a church is listed, then it can apply to reclaim the VAT through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
- The Joseph Rank Trust has a dedicated page regarding applying for Methodist Grants. As well, it includes a very helpful funding guide for Methodist applicants.
- Benefact Trust offer Community Impact grants that include building improvements, heritage skills, Methodist grants and crisis response grants. Click here to find out more.
- The National Churches Trust offer a variety of grants for projects and urgent repairs & maintenance. Click here to learn more.
- TMCP offer discretionary grants for repairs and some mission projects. You can find the details and check eligibility on Grants - Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes.
- Methodist Insurance offer grants for repairs and projects. You can check eligibility and find further information on Methodist Grants Programme - Methodist Insurance.
- Through the Roof is a disability charity that helps churches and ministries to find funding for building work to improved disabled access.
- Friends Groups - The National Churches Trust has guidance on how to set up a Friends Group and offers a model constitution. Read more information on Setting up a friends group | National Churches Trust.
- Transforming Churches and Communities provide an up-to-date list of grant providers as well as some fundraising training. Click here to learn more.
- You could apply to Methodist Chapel Aid for a loan.
- Certain building work can be eligible for VAT relief if it includes special features that can be used by disabled people. Click here to more information.
- If your district has a grant officer or a mission enabler, they might be able to assist as you may be eligible for a district and/or circuit grant.
Further Resources
The National Churches Trust (NCT) website has a section on how to fundraise for your project. This includes advice on creating a budget, ideas for local fundraising, applying for grants and how to use online and text giving.
The Institute of Fundraising offers plenty of advice and resources on all aspects of fundraising.
Giving to Heritage was the Heritage Alliance’s training programme for fundraisers in the heritage sector. Although the initiative has ended, the website still provides guidance on a range of topics such as ‘Making the case for support’, ‘Major donor fundraising’, ‘Corporate partnership’, ‘Using digital and social media’, ‘Crowdfunding’, ‘Community Shares’ and Social investment’. You can also watch webinars where people talk about they raised funds for their particular project including places of worship.
The Voluntary and community sector (VCS) infrastructure organisation can provide vital support for voluntary organisations and community groups in the form of advice on setting up new projects as well as information on available local grants and support in the application process. NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) is the national voice of local support and development organisations and their directory will help you identify your local organisations.
The ChurchBuild website looks at the range of different types of fundraising.
The Directory of Social Change offers fundraising training, online resources, publications and events as well as undertaking bespoke research.
Catalyst Cymru (part of the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action) provides a useful website for heritage fundraising at
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) toolkit, Fundraising Fundamentals is intended to help charities put the foundations in place for an effective fundraising strategy.
Chapter 10 Raising the Funds from Crossing the Threshold toolkit.
Publications
How to: Fundraise from private sources (2014) is part of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust’s innovative education programme BRICK (Building Resources, Investment and Community Knowledge). It offers the tools and knowledge necessary to set up and deliver a sustainable fundraising strategy, focusing on attracting funding from private sources. It covers a number of fundraising methods which may be useful for your project, including: community fundraising, friends groups, major donor fundraising, Gift Aid, legacies, corporate partnerships, crowdfunding and online fundraising.
Grow Your Church’s Income: A guide to securing long-term financial health by Maggie Durran (Canterbury Press, Norwich 2011, ISBN13:9781848250390) UK Church Fundraising Handbook by Maggie Durran (Canterbury Press Norwich, 2010 (new edition), ISBN: 978-184825002-4)
A practical Manual and Directory of Sources. Fundraising for a Community Project by Simon Whaley (How to Books, 2007, ISBN: 978 184528174-8)
Fund Raising for Churches by Jane Grieve. Aimed at all churches, this book takes the most effective methods of fundraisers and shows how they can be used and adapted specifically for Christian churches. (1999, ISBN-13: 9780281050581). Only available on Amazon.