Grants

Within the expansive county of Yorkshire there are over 2,500 places of worship, by far the biggest number of churches in any English county.

Over 800 of these places of worship will have received at least one grant, and since our small beginnings over a quarter century ago, over £3,000,000 worth of grants have been distributed to your places of worship.

In the last 5 years the average grant was £4,200, and in the last 10 years grants have ranged from to £250 up to £15,000

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible, applicants must demonstrate a focus of mission and care for their building; any schemes should be prepared by a qualified architect/surveyor.

In addition the Trust requires the following:

  • The building must be in use as a place of worship and be accessible to the public
  • The building must not cease operating as a place of worship in the foreseeable future
  • The applicants must show a genuine shortfall in funding
  • The applicants must be actively fundraising and be able to confirm they anticipate a reasonable prospect of being able to raise any financial shortfall. Categories for grant-aid include repairs and restoration

Important information:
The following areas of work are ineligible:

  • All work in connection with heating or electrical installations (including up-grading)
  • All new work in connection with improvements or re-ordering, including extensions

FAQs and Helpful Hints

Click here for detailed answers to the following questions:

  • What can I apply for and when?
  • How do I find the dates applications have to be submitted?
  • What is the process and how long does it take?
  • What kind of churches or chapels can apply and do they have to be listed?
  • Where do I find help?
  • What kind of permission do I have to supply as the form mentions “faculty” or equivalent?
  • How much can I apply for?
  • Where can I find out about other grant funders?
  • The form mentions becoming a Friend of the YHCT – can you please explain that?

Applying for a Grant

If you would like to apply for a grant, download the form below, or get in touch with Jonathan Stamp, the grants secretary on 07594 578665 if have you have any questions. All applications must be sent by email to: grants@yhct.org.uk

Deadline for receipt of application Meeting Date

Friday 21 February 2025 Friday 4 April 2025

Friday 22 August 2025 Friday 10 October 2025

Please download our grant guidance notes to aid you in filling out the forms. Thank you for your interest in the Trust.

Other Funding Organisations and Specialist Services

See below for details of other trusts and grant making bodies that award funding for church repairs and restoration:

https://christianfundersforum.org/ https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/churchcare-grants

https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/applying-grant-funding/list-major-grant-funders

https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/grants/small-grants

The Building Conservation Directory

This directory is a guide to specialist suppliers, consultants and craftspeople in traditional building conservation, refurbishment and design: https://www.buildingconservation.com/books/bcd.htm

https://ihbc.org.uk/resources_head/specialist_registers/index.html

Maintenance Grants

Maintenance Booker is a website which makes it easy for churches, chapels and historic buildings to book maintenance services through accredited and experienced contractors.

Services currently available include:

Gutter clearance

Lightning protection system inspections

Tree surveys and surgery

Asbestos maintenance

High level maintenance

Masonry and stonework repairs

More details here: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/buildings-maintenance/maintenancebooker

All MaintenanceBooker contractors have been carefully selected following a rigorous tendering process which has assessed their experience, levels of insurance and Health and Safety standards.

Eligible Locations

The following map shows the pre 1974 boundaries of the county of Yorkshire. These are the geographical boundaries the Trust works within. Check here to see if your place of worship is eligible :