Main Church Grants Programme

Main Grants Fund

The charity’s Main Church Grants Fund for 2020-25 is prioritising applications which address the ‘upkeep and repair of the fabric’ of the church buildings, including the following:

Eligible churches will be able to apply to Cloudesley for grants which fall within these funding priorities at two points during each year, to a Spring and Autumn funding round. It is expected that churches will usually only submit one application per funding round, applying for a grant under one of the funding priorities set out above. If part of your application fits under a second funding priority you will be given the option to select this when completing your application.

In the case of a major emergency (for example, if the church needs to be closed for health and safety reasons), Cloudesley may be willing to consider an application outside the normal funding rounds. This should be discussed with the charity’s office as soon as possible.

For further information please see our funding exclusions, legal advice and definitions.

Exclusions and definitions

Funding priorities in detail

1. Major works and building projects

Up to a maximum of £65,000 although in most instances grants will be considerably less than this.

If you are planning major works or a substantial buildings project, please contact the charity’s staff team at an early stage for a discussion. Although Cloudesley will not usually make a grant of more than £65,000 to a church in one funding round, if your project is phased you might be able to apply to us for another grant in a later funding round.

Funding through this priority area can be used towards a variety of major works and buildings projects including but not limited to:

• Substantial repairs and refurbishments
• Equipment
• Facilities (kitchens, toilets)
• Access improvements
• Sustainability and environmental works, e.g., the installation of solar panels, LED lighting etc, which fall within scope of Cloudesley’s Church Object

Expected outcomes might include:

• Improvement to the fabric of the building
• Improvement to the facilities or equipment in the building
• Maintenance of services in the church building through improved access.

As well as the general information required from applicant churches, we will usually need you to:

• Demonstrate that appropriate professional advice has been taken or will be taken before the works are taken forward
• Show that there is a clear timetable for the works, with milestones, in place, for major works/projects.

When applying for a grant towards a large building project where a part of the overall planned work is within the scope of Cloudesley’s Church Object and other elements fall outside of this, you should explain this clearly and provide a sufficiently detailed budget which indicates which elements are in scope. Please see our definitions page and/or speak to the charity’s staff for advice.

Exclusions and definitions

2. Preventative works and/or simple repairs

Usual grant amount £5,000 – £20,000

Cloudesley will consider funding preventative works and/or simple repairs, including those identified through the Quinquennial Inspection (QI) process or other periodic inspections (e.g. through the Gutter Maintenance Programme) as well as those identified at other times.

Expected outcome: The fabric of the church building will be maintained

As well as the general information required from applicant churches we will usually require evidence that the works/repairs are necessary, for example a copy of the relevant extract of your QI or gutter maintenance report.

General information required from applicant churches

3. Project development and feasibility studies

Usual grant amount £5,000 – £20,000

Cloudesley will consider funding for studies, surveys, professional advice, reports, architect’s fees and other items necessary for project development and/or feasibility studies. Project development and feasibility costs will only be funded where the expected project or works that this relates to is expected to be mainly in scope of Cloudesley’s Church Object. Please see our definitions page and/or speak to the charity’s staff for advice.

Exclusions and definitions

Expected outcomes might be:

• The PCC will have the evidence and plans it needs to take forward the related works/project. Or,
• The PCC will have the evidence and/or plans it needs to make a decision as to how or whether to take forward particular works/a project.

As well as the general information required from applicant churches, in some instances we will require evidence of your plans to consult with the Diocese, local authority, church users and other community groups.

4. Developing church capacity to deal with church buildings issues and/or maintenance of services

Usual grant amount £5,000 – £20,000

Cloudesley will consider funding a variety of items that will help a church develop its ability to manage its own affairs in relation to the fabric of the church building and/or the maintenance of services within it. Amongst other things, this might include training costs and consultancy fees which are within the scope of Cloudesley’s Church Object. Please speak to the charity’s staff for advice.

Expected outcome: The church will have improved skills and/or resources available to it so that it is able to demonstrate greater efficiency and effectiveness with regards to the upkeep and maintenance of the church building(s) and/or the maintenance of services.

As well as the general information required from applicant churches, we will usually need you to:

• Demonstrate the need for the resource/support, how it will benefit the church and how it will contribute towards the upkeep and repair of the church building and/or maintenance of services within it
• Where appropriate, provide job descriptions and contracts
• Provide detail about what is planned and how you will ensure it is undertaken by an appropriately qualified person/company
• Make clear how this work will lead to longer term improvements in the capacity of the church to deal with church buildings issues and/or maintenance of services.