Funder Focus
This month we are launching Funder Focus! Each month, Synod Grants Officer, Helen McCormack will focus in on a particular funder to give you ideas of what they will fund and tips on submitting an application to them. This month: The Benefact Trust.
The Benefact Trust
The Benefact Trust is a charitable body that awards grants to Christian organisations and supports a wide variety of projects and initiatives. They have four main themes of grant giving:
Community Impact: grants in this area are aimed at supporting projects that grow congregations, provide outreach activities or enable wider use of church buildings by communities;
Building improvement: grants in this area are aimed at providing much needed financial support for building repairs, improving/introducing accessibility. This theme also considers energy efficiency measures, conservation and aesthetic enhancements to indoor/outdoor church spaces
Methodist grants: this theme is funded via Methodist Insurance PLC and only provides grants to Methodist organisations aimed at building development and repairs
Roof Alarm grants: grants in this area are aimed at providing financial support to help churches to install a roof alarm to help with the issue of metal theft from roofs
Key criteria at a glance:
Benefact will only grant up to 70% of the project cost
You must have already secured a minimum of 30% before you submit an application
Contributions from Church Reserves and/or congregational/community giving will strengthen an application
Applications are made through their online portal
No deadlines, applications are accepted at any time of year
Decisions are usually made 2 – 3 months after submission of an application
Find out more about the Benefact Trust from their website: Home | Benefact Trust
Need any help?
If you have any questions, require any help identifying possible funders or would like to chat through a project idea please contact:
Helen McCormack, Mersey Synod grants finder/writer
Tel: 0151 722 6590
email: grantsadmin@urcmerseysynod.org.uk