Congregational and General Charitable Trust Grants
Background
The Congregational and General Charitable Trust was established in 1956 as the charitable arm of the Congregational and General Insurance Company. In 1987 it was re-formed as a separate entity, but still linked to the company. In 2016 the trust became independent of the insurance company.
The Trust's objectives are:
To make grants for the overall care, upkeep and extension of churches
To make grants towards the capital costs of church community projects
To promote the Christian religion and, in particular, the United Reformed and Congregational denominations, and other churches of the Protestant tradition.
Objectives of Fund
Grants are available to support capital works on church buildings or towards the capital costs of church community projects in the UK.
Value Notes
Grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 are available. The level of grant awarded is at the Trustees discretion and will depend on the denomination of the church and type of work being undertaken. The maximum percentage project cost is 25% to the nearest £100.
The trust does not consider applications for help with projects costing over £1 million, nor does it consider funding for a small part of larger projects such as this.
Depending on applications it receives, the trust intends to distribute up to £290,000 a quarter.
Who Can Apply
Applications are accepted from all churches of the Protestant tradition in the UK, but particularly those of the United Reformed and Congregational denominations.
Applicants will need to provide their latest church annual report and full accounts including balance sheet, notes to the accounts and any overview/directors' report.
Location
UK
Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
Running costs of the church.
Organ and church bells restoration.
Conservation/restoration of works of art.
Graveyard maintenance.
Manse works.
Solar panels or other environmental projects which are not part of any other development work.
Retrospective applications for projects.
Organisations based outside the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Projects in excess of £1 million.
Part projects where the total cost exceeds the above threshold
Eligible Expenditure
Funding is normally for church capital projects involving building work: repairs, improvements or extensions.
Applications will also be considered from church community projects for funding towards capital costs (but not for ongoing work).
The trust encourages churches to take professional advice (eg from architects, quantity surveyors, site management) in preparing for and undertaking building projects. These costs can be included in the total project costs when applying for a grant.
How To Apply
The next deadline for applications is 16 April 2026 (10am) for consideration at the meeting on 2 June 2026.
An application form and guidance are available on the Trust's website. Applications should be submitted by email to admin@candgtrust.org.uk
Useful links
Congregational and General Charitable Trust Grants
https://www.candgtrust.org.uk/guidance
Addresses and contacts
For further information on how to obtain this grant locally, please contact the following:
Trust Administrator
Congregational and General Charitable Trust
PO Box 1111
Lincoln
LN5 0WJ
E-Mail: enquiries@candgtrust.org.uk
