General Grants

Projects that support the church and community Benefact Trust’s General Grants Programme supports projects that demonstrate an impact on people and communities.

Churches, cathedrals, denominational bodies, Christian charities, and schools and educational institutions are all eligible to apply. All applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear Christian foundation or ethos.

The programme typically funds capital projects, not salaries or running costs, and in most cases we give a small percentage of the project cost as this enables us to support many worthwhile causes. However, we do take into account deprivation in determining grants, and this can result in an increased grant award in some cases.

Our General Grants Programme supports the repair, restoration, protection and improvement of churches, cathedrals and other places of Christian worship where changes support wider community use and enable greater impact.

The programme also supports projects that help to tackle social issues, for example homelessness, poverty, climate change and cultural cohesion, and projects that support Christian leaders, and help to share the Christian faith.

What we do fund:

Christian charities and churches in the UK and Ireland

The repair, restoration, protection and improvement of church buildings, cathedrals and other places of Christian worship

Projects based in disadvantaged areas

Churches and Christian charities who are making a positive impact on their communities The preservation of sustainable heritage skills

What we don't fund:

Non-Christian charities

Projects overseas

Charities with political association

Projects that benefit only a small part of a community

Multiple applications from the same organisation in a 24-month period