Grants for historic church interiors and churchyard structures

We fund the conservation of bells and bell frames of artistic, historical, archaeological or architectural significance. They may be:

• Listed by the Church Buildings Council
• Cast before 1800
• Significant bells and bell frames of a later date

Find out if your church bells are listed on the Church Heritage Record

Projects must:

• Include the conservation treatment of bells or bell frames (e.g. removal of cast-in crownstaples, turning bells, welding cracked bells)
• Follow the Church Buildings Council’s code of practice

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Projects involving the tuning of significant bells
• Maintenance (e.g. replacing ropes)
• Bells or bell frames of low significance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• Appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, there were eight applications of which five grants were awarded and three were rejected. There is one application round per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

Include the following:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of the contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of books and manuscripts of historical or artistic significance.

We also fund preventive conservation work in parochial libraries (e.g. the installation of conservation-grade storage and display furniture).

Conservation work must be undertaken by conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• Appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, there were no applications. There are two application rounds per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision.
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council..
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award.
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online 

Include the following:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award.

To claim your grant you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report ( which must include images of the work undertaken)

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online or at 020 7898 1872.

• The churchyard must be under the responsibility of the Parochial Church Council
• The structure must be listed separately from the church building

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Structures in closed churchyards that are the responsibility of the local authority
• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)
• We have a strong preference for the use of conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

In the last round, there were two applications, and one grant was awarded. There are two application rounds per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

Include the following:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of mechanical clocks, including early electro-mechanical clocks with artistic, historical, archaeological or architectural significance.

 Projects must:

• Include the conservation of the movement and, or the dial motion work
• Follow the Turret Clock Forum’s Code of Practice

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• The conservation of dials, where no other work is involved (unless of high significance)
• The installation of auto-winding or pendulum regulators where no other work is involved (unless replacing an old system that is potentially damaging to the movement)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, there were fourteen applications and eleven grants were awarded. There is one application round per year.       

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online 

Include the following:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant you will need to send us the following :

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of:

• Decorative metalwork of historical, artistic, or archaeological significance
• Monumental brasses of historical, artistic  or archaeological significance
• And the re-mounting of monumental brasses according to our guidelines (when the original slab is missing) 

Conservation work must be undertaken by conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, we did not receive any applications. There is one application round per year.       

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

Include the following:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs 
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statements of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following :

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of monuments of historical, artistic, architectural, or archaeological significance

Conservation work must be undertaken by conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, there were six applications and four grants were awarded. There are two application rounds per year 

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

Include the following:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of:

• Organs over 70 years old or significant instruments of a later date with historical, artistic or technological significance
• Organs that retain the character of the original organ and its builder, with a minimum of alteration

Projects must:

• Conserve the organ in its present state or
• Restore the organ to a clearly established earlier historic state

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Speculative work
• Routine maintenance
• Schemes introducing changes to the original design
• Works which take an organ further from its original tonal scheme, mechanism or wind system
• Works which replace earlier parts with non-traditional materials (e.g. conversion of pneumatic action to electropneumatic action)

Contractors are expected to:

• Avoid the use of modern synthetic materials
• Avoid the use of components inappropriate to the organ’s original design
• Refrain from gratuitous revoicing, alterations to pitch or replacement of pipework
• Respect historic finishes

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposals

We have a strong preference for the use of organ builders accredited by the Institute of British Organ Building.

In the last round, there were seven applications, and five grants were awarded. There are two application rounds per year. 

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• You must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work (e.g. faculty). It also helps if you have them before you apply (but not required). Most work we fund needs a faculty
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

Include the following documents:

• Organ builder’s report
• Statements of significance and needs
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following 

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of paintings and wall paintings of artistic, historical or archaeological significance.

Conservation work must be undertaken by conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• The uncovering of wall paintings
• Speculative work
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, there were 9 applications, and 9 grants were awarded. There is one application round per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• • The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF

Apply online

Include the following documents:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken).

 We fund the conservation of stained glass, painted glass, and plain glazing of historical or artistic significance in open Anglican parish churches in England.
 

We also fund environmental protective glazing if it is part of a coherent conservation scheme.
 

Conservation work must be undertaken by a conservator accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com
 

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Architectural frames (e.g. masonry repairs) or protective grilles
• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, we received 7 applications and awarded 4 grants. There is one application round per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• Work must not have started before we notify you of our decision.
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• Grants must be claimed within two years of award
• • The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

You will need to upload the following supporting documents:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of the award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of the contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of textiles of historical, artistic, architectural, archaeological significance.

Conservation work must be undertaken by conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposal(s)

In the last round, there were two applications, and one grant was awarded. There are two application rounds per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• You must not have started the work before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• You must claim the grant within two years
• • The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF

Apply online

Include the following documents:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)

We fund the conservation of woodwork and wooden objects of historical, artistic, architectural or archaeological significance.

Conservation work must be undertaken by conservators accredited by ICON, the Institute of Conservation (or conservators on the pathway to accreditation). To find an accredited conservator, please use the Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com

Please note that our grants programme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). Receipt of a direct grant from the NLHF would make your church ineligible for additional funding through our grants programme.

As part of the application process, three quotes for conservation work will not always be possible, but as part of our funding programme, we expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated within the application. Please see our Conservation Grants Programme Procurement Policy for further details on how to demonstrate this 'best value'.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online by email or by telephone on 020 7898 1872.

• Works of a cosmetic nature only (e.g. cleaning)
• Routine maintenance

• Significance
• Conservation need and urgency
• The appropriateness of the proposals

In the last round, there were two applications, and no grants were awarded. There are two application rounds per year.

For details of previous awards, please view our Grants awarded page and our Annual reports page.

• You must not have started the work before we notify you of our decision
• All of the work we fund requires a faculty. Faculty permission is not required at the time of application, but we strongly recommend that you consult your DAC as you must obtain the relevant permissions before starting work, which will include consultation with the Church Buildings Council.
• You must claim the grant within two years
• • The support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) is acknowledged in any new promotional or information materials for the project, in accordance with their guidelines. Each grant recipient will be supplied with a small sign/plaque acknowledging the support of the NLHF.

Apply online

Include the following documents:

• Conservation report
• Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance)
• Latest quinquennial inspection report
• Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts

You must claim the grant within two years of award

To claim your grant, you will need to send us the following:

• A copy of your contractor’s invoice/s
• A copy of the post-conservation report (which must include images of the work undertaken)