Deadline: 16-Dec-2025
Applicants are now invited to submit applications for National Churches Trust’s Cherish Grants.
Churches, chapels, and meeting houses in North-West England, Wales, and Scotland now have the opportunity to apply for funding through the Cherish project, which offers grants between £500 and £10,000. These grants are designed to support maintenance, urgent repair work, or early-stage project development, helping places of worship protect and care for their historic buildings. The Cherish project is made possible through the support of National Lottery players and is delivered in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Eligible projects must have a total cost of no more than £80,000, including VAT and professional fees. Applications are open to both listed and unlisted Christian places of worship, from any denomination, that are located in Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Wales, or Scotland. To qualify, the church building must be used for public worship at least six times per year and also be accessible to the public for at least 100 days each year, outside of regular worship. If this level of access is not yet in place, applicants must commit to meeting it within a year of completing the project.
Applicants must either own the building or have the legal right to carry out the proposed works. The grant will cover up to 50% of the project cost, so at least half of the required funding must already be secured before applying. All necessary permissions must be obtained in advance, and at least two quotes for the proposed works should be submitted as part of the application.
All repair projects must be managed by a suitably qualified professional to ensure the work is carried out to a high standard. Importantly, the work must not begin before the application has been submitted, and it must be realistically achievable within one year of the grant being awarded.
The Cherish project offers an important opportunity for churches to address essential maintenance and repairs, supporting their continued role at the heart of local communities. With clear guidelines and a defined regional focus, the programme encourages early action to preserve places of worship for future generations.
For more information, visit National Churches Trust.
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