Grants and funding
There are grants, funding opportunities and awards available to churches and groups doing work in their communities. Learn more about them and how to apply.
Below you'll find information on:
- Grants and funding provided by the Church of Scotland
- Grants and funding provided by external organisation
If you are looking for funding aimed at supporting Church growth please visit the Seeds for Growth grants fund page for information about our new £25 million fund to support local church outreach.
Church of Scotland grants and funding
The Guild's Initiative Fund
Grants of up to £1000 are available to Guilds looking to do innovative projects in their church or community. We want to encourage people to think of new ways of “being the Guild” and of serving the church and the wider community in ways that allow the Guild to creatively meet its three principles of worship, prayer and action.
Award amounts
There is no firm guidance on the amounts of money available; however, a typical grant will be a few hundred pounds.
Eligibility
The grant is open to any Church of Scotland Guild.
How to apply
An application form is available by contacting the Guild office: 0131 240 2217 or emailing guild@churchofscotland.org.uk.
Further information
More information about the Fund is available on the Guild Initiative Fund page.
Church Hymnary Trust
The Trust was originally constituted in 1910 to provide a method of distribution of royalties from the publication of the Church hymnary. Grants are available to congregations and other Church of Scotland bodies for various purposes intended to promote hymnody in Scotland.
The charitable purposes of the trust in detail are:- “The advancement of the Christian Faith through the promotion and development of hymnody in Scotland with particular reference to the Church of Scotland by assisting in the development, promotion, provision and understanding of hymns, psalms and paraphrases suitable for use in public worship and in the distribution and making available of the same in books, discs, electronically and in other media for use by the Church of Scotland to enable the church and in particular the Church of Scotland to worship in ways which are relevant to individual congregations or groups of congregations.”
Award Amounts
Applicants may apply for varying funding amounts. The amount of the award is at the discretion of the trustees and may be the full amount applied for, or a proportion.
Eligibility
Applications can only be accepted for projects which fall within the Trust’s charitable purposes, and must be on behalf of a body with charitable status.
Applications
Please complete the application form.
Further information
Contact - Anne Steele, Clerk, Church of Scotland Law Department, 121 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 4YN – asteele@churchofscotland.org.uk
Privacy Notice – or contact Clerk
Scottish Charity No. SC002769
External grants and funding
- Read the full funding guidance to find out if your organisation, building and improvements are eligible
- Choose your technology. Get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) , an energy report from Business Energy Scotland, or feasibility study that justifies your technology choice. You can also start getting quotes from installers (see our funding guidance for more information).
- Complete an application form and return it to us as soon as possible.
- You have 12 months to complete your project from the date its approved.
Foyle Foundation – Small Grants Scheme
The Small Grants Scheme provides one-year grants to charities working at grassroots and local community level. The grants may be used to cover core costs, equipment, or project funding.
The priority will be to support local charities still active in their communities which are currently delivering services to the young, vulnerable, elderly, disadvantaged or the general community either directly or through online support if possible.
Award amounts
Charities can apply for between £2,000 and £10,000. Please note that if successful, the Trustees may award less than the amount requested.
Eligibility
The Foundation can only accept applications from organisations with charitable status. This includes registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations (SCIOs), excepted charities and exempt charities. Organisations must have an annual turnover of less than £150,000 per annum. Larger or national charities will normally not be considered under this scheme. Organisations must demonstrate ongoing financial viability over the next 12 months.
How to apply
Apply online via website.
Application deadline
Applications are accepted at any time. It may take up to three months to obtain a decision from Trustees.
Further information
More information on the scheme is available on the Foyle Foundation's website.
Let's Do Net Zero Community Buildings Fund
This fund provides grants of up to 80% of costs (up to £80,000) to support faith and other community buildings in reaching net zero.
The funding comes from the Scottish Government's Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).
As with all grant funding for property-related work, please ensure that you meet with all the requirements of the General Trustees and Presbytery.
Award amounts
Grant funding is available for up to 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £80,000. The inclusion or exclusion of VAT in CARES funding offers does not alter the grant maximum of £80,000.
Please see the guidance for full information.
Eligibility
Applicants must be constituted non-profit distributing community organisations, including organisations with charitable status, that are established and operating across a geographically defined community or faith groups.
Organisations that are constituted but unincorporated may also apply but must provide additional information.
Applications
Further information
More information about the fund, as well as a case study on how Cairnlea Parish Church made its community hall more sustainable. is available on the Local Energy Scotland website.
Each funder will be slightly different and have different requirements in terms of reporting and what you can use the grant for, so it is important that you talk to them about your needs. It may be helpful to talk to them about your business continuity plan and how you intend to adapt your usual ways of working to achieve impact despite any external restrictions.
Please note there are many grants and funds available for specific geographic area and projects. If you would like to find out more about the funding available and how to access them, please contact stewardship@churchofscotland.org.uk.