We like to fund
When considering applications, the Trust considers how well the aims of the project align with our areas of funding focus. These are:
• The repair, restoration, protection and improvement of church buildings, cathedrals and other places of Christian worship, especially where those changes support wider community use (note we also offer a roof protection scheme);
• Equipping Christian charities and churches to help the most vulnerable and tackle social issues, including homelessness, poverty, climate change and cultural cohesion
• Projects that support church growth and Christian leaders, locally and nationally, spiritually and numerically, and share the Christian faith;
•Equipping Christian charities and churches to engage in innovative ways of working and in new and enhanced areas of activity that will best meet the existing and emerging challenges facing communities, e.g. Hope Beyond;
• Transformative projects that enable a step change in the capacity, reach and impact of Christian organisations, with a particular focus on innovation, partnership and sharing learnings and best practice to enable the widest possible impact and benefit;
• Building development projects that seek to enhance the mission and ministry of the Methodist Church in the UK and Ireland.
We don't normally fund
• Non-Christian charities
• Running costs (such as salaries and overheads)
• Overseas projects or charities
• Charities with a political association
• Individuals or causes that will benefit only one person, such as student grants or scholarships
• Healthcare projects, although hospices can apply for funding for chapel and chaplaincy space
• Animal welfare or rescue
• Work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities including residential, respite, day care and housing provision
• Retrospective grants, although we may be prepared to consider applications for work already done which was urgent (such as essential emergency roof repairs) or for major capital projects (where work has started before all funding has been raised)
• More than one application from the same organisation within a 24-month period
• One-off events that benefit only a few people