Church of England Pensions Board
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- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Rolling (no fixed deadline)
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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churchofengland.orgAbout Church of England Pensions Board
The Church of England Pensions Board, established in 1926, is a specialist institution dedicated to ensuring financial security, dignity and well-being for retired clergy, church workers and their partners who have served the Church of England. It combines pension administration, retirement housing and discretionary charitable grants, rooted in the Church's ethical principles and emphasising responsible investment. The Board's charitable giving focuses on its defined Church workforce through an integrated pensions-housing-welfare model, providing targeted support for financially vulnerable individuals rather than open philanthropy.
What Church of England Pensions Board funds
The Board funds hardship relief, welfare support and emergency aid for retired clergy, surviving spouses and partners facing financial vulnerability. Support covers personal needs such as housing transitions, financial planning and maintaining independence, aligned with low-income thresholds. Grants are available to individuals connected to the Church of England across its dioceses in England and the Diocese in Europe. Core themes include poverty, elderly welfare and faith, with a focus on enabling dignity in later life.
Who can apply
Eligibility is strictly limited to individuals directly connected to the Church of England: retired clergy, church workers, administrators, and their surviving spouses or partners. The Board does not fund organisations, charities or external projects. Beneficiaries must be of Christian faith, primarily residing in the provinces of Canterbury and York, or the Diocese in Europe. Support is means-tested, targeting those with low income and assets, and is awarded through diocesan representatives or beneficiary channels.
What Church of England Pensions Board doesn't fund
The Board does not fund projects, core costs, capacity building or organisational activities. Generalist grantmaking and open philanthropy are outside its remit. It also does not accept unsolicited applications from the voluntary sector or organisations not connected to the Church of England pension scheme.
How they like to fund
Grants are discretionary, means-tested and tailored to individual circumstances, typically provided as personal support for hardship and welfare needs. The Board does not welcome unsolicited applications; funding is accessed through diocesan representatives or beneficiary channels as part of its integrated pensions-housing-welfare model.
How much does Church of England Pensions Board give?
Published grant sizes vary. A free fit check matches Church of England Pensions Board’s current criteria to your charity — so you know if it’s worth applying.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Church of England Pensions Board
Church of England Pensions Board 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.
- Decisions are typically rolling (no fixed deadline).
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Church of England Pensions Board.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Church of England Pensions Board could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Church of England Pensions Board provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Church of England Pensions Board directly for current funding levels.
Where does Church of England Pensions Board fund charities?
Church of England Pensions Board funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Church of England Pensions Board accept unsolicited applications?
Church of England Pensions Board does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Church of England Pensions Board?
Church of England Pensions Board does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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