Grants for conservation of historic church interiors and churchyard structures

Grants for conservation of historic church interiors and churchyard structures is sponsored by The Church of England (in partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund, Radcliffe Trust, Oswald Allen Bequest, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Gunnis Fund, and Anglican Parish Churches Fund). Grants for conservation of historic church interiors and churchyard structures is sponsored by The Church of England (in partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund, Radcliffe Trust, Oswald Allen Bequest, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Gunnis Fund, and Anglican Parish Chu…

Grants for historic church interiors and churchyard structures | The Church of England Grants for historic church interiors and churchyard structures Frequently Asked Questions Monumental brasses and decorative metalwork Paintings and wall paintings We give grants for the conservation of our historic church interiors and churchyard structures in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund , the Radcliffe Trust , the Oswald Allen Bequest, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths , the Gunnis Fund, and the Anglican Parish Churches Fund .

We also offer minor grants for fabric repairs directly related to our funded projects. If your conservation project has a fabric repair element, please indicate this on your application form.

If you are struggling to complete a project that we have already funded, please contact us to find out more about our over-the-line grants Award committees meet once or twice a year, and decisions are notified around 8 weeks after the application deadline (see details about each committee below). We are also able to assess some applications between rounds.

To discuss your project, please contact us online, by telephone on 020 7123 9593 / 020 7898 1872 or by emailing: You can find out more about the types of objects we fund in our latest Annual Conservation Report . Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions in reference to our National Lottery Heritage Fund conservation grants programmes.

Is there any funding available for those with moral objections to National Lottery funding? Yes. We continue to partner with non-lottery funders and would anticipate using these funds for a parish unwilling to accept National Lottery funding.

If I apply for funding from you, can I also apply to the National Lottery for match funding? It isn’t possible to obtain two pots of funding from the National Lottery for one project. However, you could obtain a grant for preliminary investigations (eg conservation reports, environmental monitoring reports, etc) from us, and then approach the National Lottery for funding for the main project.

What percentage of an award do you give? We usually provide around 60-70% of the costs of preliminary investigations. Our main conservation grants programme has funded around 10-50% of costs, depending upon the number of applications and their eligibility in each funding round.

We anticipate being able to fund more projects and a higher percentage of costs, depending on eligibility and application numbers. Will I get more money for my project if I apply directly to the National Lottery? Depending on the value of your project you can choose whether to apply to the National Lottery directly or to the Church of England programme.

If your project is greater than £50,000, we recommend you approach the National Lottery directly for funding. How do I apply for a conservation grant? Applications for grants need to be made online.

You can Apply online here There are set requirements and conditions for each grant type we award, so please check the eligibility criteria before applying.

If your grant meets the conditions, as part of any submission, please include the following: Conservation report (for organs, an Organ builder’s report ) Statements of significance and needs (include the object’s significance) The latest quinquennial inspection report Statement of your church’s most recent annual audited accounts When can I start applying? I’m interested in a partnership with you for your education grants.

How do I apply? We are interested in partnering with educational institutions and organisations offering student placements and internships. Please contact us ( [email protected] ) if you feel this might be appropriate for your project.

What are your criteria for grants? More information on our criteria, and terms and conditions, is available on our website What information will I need to apply? Information on our application form will be available to download from our website shortly.

Can I apply for a fabric repair grant? We award fabric repair grants to successful conservation grant recipients only. For general fabric repair grants, see Parish Resources .

Can I apply to you for a conservation grant if I also have a Buildings for Mission Minor Repair and/or Net Zero Quick Win grant? Yes, as long as the works are not double funded by the same funder. Will I need to obtain three quotes for the conservation work?

If you are applying for a conservation grant, we do not necessarily expect you to obtain three quotes for the conservation work. However, we do expect that ‘best value’ is demonstrated. Please see our Procurement Policy that applies to the Conservation Grants Programme We give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of bells and bell frames in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Anglican Parish Churches Fund. Our grants are awarded around 12 weeks after the application deadline. 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 Significant bells and bell frames of a later date Find out if your church bells are listed on the Church Heritage Record 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 / 020 7123 9593.

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

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 give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of books, manuscripts and parochial libraries in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Oswald Allen bequest Deadline: 26 October 2026 Decision: 11 December 2026 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. icon.

org. uk/conservation-hub. html 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 / 020 7123 9593. Works of a cosmetic nature only 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.

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 give grants for the repair of church plate in Anglican parish churches in England, in partnership with the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Deadline: 26 October 2026 Decision: 11 December 2026 In the last round, there were no applications.

If you would like to discuss the eligibility of your project, contact us online or at 020 7898 1872. We give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of individually listed churchyard structures such as tombs, external monuments, grave markers, churchyard walls, railings and gates, in Anglican parish churches in England. These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Deadline: 26 October 2026 Decision: 11 December 2026 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) 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.

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 give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of turret clocks in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Anglican Parish Churches Fund. Deadline: 14 September 2026 Decision: 30 October 2026 We fund the conservation of mechanical clocks, including early electro-mechanical clocks with artistic, historical, archaeological or architectural significance.

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 or repair of auto-winding or pendulum regulators where no other work is involved (unless replacing an old system that is potentially damaging to the movement) 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.

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) Monumental brasses and decorative metalwork Rupert Harris Conservation Ltd We give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of monumental brasses and decorative metalwork in Anglican parish churches in England including metal screens, internal railings, plaques and memorials.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Radcliffe Trust.

Deadline: 26 October 2026 Decision: 11 December 2026 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. icon. org.

uk/conservation-hub. html 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) 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.

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 give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of monuments in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Radcliffe Trust. Deadline: 26 October 2026 Decision: 11 December 2026 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. icon. org.

uk/conservation-hub. html 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) 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.

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 give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of organs and organ cases in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Decision: 20 November 2026 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 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) 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 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.

Include the following documents: 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) Paintings and wall paintings We give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of wall paintings and paintings in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Radcliffe Trust. 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. icon. org.

uk/conservation-hub. html 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 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 Include the following documents: 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 give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of stained glass, painted glass, and plain glazing of historical or artistic significance in Anglican parish churches in England. These grants are offered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Radcliffe Trust.

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. icon. org.

uk/conservation-hub. html 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) 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.

You will need to upload the following supporting documents: 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) Janie Lightfoot Textiles LLP We give grants of up to £10,000 for the conservation of textiles in Anglican parish churches in England.

These grants are offered in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Radcliffe Trust. Deadline: 26 October 2026 Decision: 11 December 2026