Barnabas Fund

Could Barnabas Fund be a fit? Check free — then find open funders like them if not.

Typical grants: £5,000 – £50,000
Applications: Existing partners only

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

Check fit free · no card

About Barnabas Fund

Barnabas Fund, also known as Barnabas Aid, is an international Christian aid agency founded in 1993 by Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo. Its mission is to support Christians facing discrimination, oppression, or persecution because of their faith, particularly those who are minorities. Rooted in biblical principles, the organisation delivers practical and spiritual aid through trusted local Christian networks, emphasising stewardship, transparency, love, respect, and advocacy to strengthen the global persecuted Church.

What Barnabas Fund funds

Barnabas Fund channels resources to grassroots projects that address persecution-related needs. Supported activities include emergency relief, food and medical aid, infrastructure rebuilding, disaster recovery, Christian education, church support, leadership training, and small business initiatives for impoverished believers. The fund focuses on high-need regions internationally, primarily in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, rather than UK-based projects. It provides restricted project funding for specific needs identified through its field contacts, working exclusively with established local Christian partners to deliver aid that directly benefits Christians suffering persecution, advances the Christian faith, relieves poverty among believers, and promotes human rights within persecuted communities.

Who can apply

Beneficiaries are exclusively Christian individuals, communities, churches, and organisations suffering hardship specifically because of their faith. Barnabas Fund works through established local Christian partners with proven accountability. It does not accept unsolicited applications; funding is by invitation only for existing partners. Eligible legal entities include community groups. There are no geographic base or income restrictions, but the fund prioritises international high-need regions over UK projects.

What Barnabas Fund doesn't fund

The organisation does not fund secular organisations, general poverty relief that is not persecution-related, core or unrestricted costs, or large NGOs. It exclusively supports projects that benefit Christians facing persecution, rather than broader development or humanitarian aid models.

How they like to fund

Funding is provided as restricted project grants to support specific activities. Barnabas Fund relies on ongoing relationships and invite-only partnerships, channelling resources through local Christian networks rather than open applications or public funding rounds. Grants are awarded to established local partners identified through field contacts, with a focus on grassroots entities in high-need international regions.

How much does Barnabas Fund give?

£5,000 – £50,000

Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.

Deadlines & timelines

When to apply, and how long their decisions take.

Your specific fit

Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.

Good to know

FaithChristian only

Focus areas

Faith

How to apply to Barnabas Fund

Barnabas Fund does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.

A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.

What you can do here

1
Check fit. See if your project aligns with Barnabas Fund.
2
Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
3
Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.

See if Barnabas Fund could be a fit — then find open funders like them.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Barnabas Fund provide?

Barnabas Fund typically provides grants of £5,000 - £50,000.

Where does Barnabas Fund fund charities?

Barnabas Fund funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Barnabas Fund accept unsolicited applications?

Barnabas Fund does not accept unsolicited applications.

How do I apply for funding from Barnabas Fund?

Barnabas Fund does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.