VAT grants

Cloudesley is offering VAT grants to support churches who have been unexpectedly left with a funding shortfall on a Cloudesley-funded building project following the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS). They are intended to support those whose projects are imminent and will therefore have little opportunity to fundraise from elsewhere.

This is a time limited offer and the application window will run alongside that of the Spring 2026 round of the Main Grants Fund. Churches are able to apply for both a VAT grant and a standard Main Grants Fund grant.

Please read the guidance below, and then when you are ready, use the application form to apply for a grant by Monday 27 April 2026.

VAT grants criteria

Application Form

Criteria

Churches can apply for VAT costs relating to a specific project, if they fit the following criteria:

  • The church has previously received a grant from Cloudesley for the project
  • Work on the project must be started no later than 30 June 2026. Retrospective funding will be considered for projects that will start and/or complete prior to the date of the grant offer, provided they had not been completed before 22 January 2026[1].
  • The church was originally planning to apply to the LPWGS to cover the VAT costs
  • The church cannot cover the VAT cost from their own reserves or from other sources

[1] The date of the announcement that the LPWGS would not be renewed.

Grant size and duration

Eligible churches can apply for a grant between £2,000 and £25,000. Churches can apply for VAT costs for more than one grant/project provided the total requested is no more than £25k. Please note that grant amounts may be lower than the amount requested if the Spring 2026 round is particularly competitive. Grants must be spent within six months of the award date.

Assessment

Applications will be assessed as part of the Spring 2026 round of the Main Church Grants Fund. If the round is competitive, VAT applications may not be prioritised. Applications will primarily be assessed on financial need of the church.

Timeline

The deadline for applications is Monday 27 April 2026. You should be notified of the outcome by the end of June 2026.

Application process

All applications should be made via this short online application form. We can help you to complete the form so please do contact us for support if you need it.  The application questions are outlined below. Please complete all relevant questions on the application form and supply the requested supporting information and documents by the deadline. If you would like to discuss your application, please contact the Grants Manager.

What happens next

The application will be assessed by the staff team, who may request further information.  A report will then be prepared for consideration by the Grants Committee. Once Cloudesley’s Trustees have made a decision about funding, you will be notified within seven days.

Additional documents

You will need to attach the following to the application:

PCC minutes indicating support for the application

 We want to see that there is clear support within the church for the grant application. The application must include PCC minutes or correspondence evidencing that the grant application have been discussed and agreed by the PCC.

Accounts

Cloudesley will assess financial viability using the church’s most recent accounts. Applicants are expected to provide a copy of the most recent annual report and audited accounts. If you have not finalised your 2025 accounts by the application deadline, please submit your draft accounts.