Church Urban Fund

Could Church Urban Fund fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £500 – £5,000
Where they fund: England
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Invitation only

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

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cuf.org.uk

About Church Urban Fund

Church Urban Fund is a national charity established in 1987 by the Church of England following the Faith in the City report. They work to tackle poverty and deprivation in England's most disadvantaged urban communities, guided by Christian values of collaboration, compassion, justice, and accountability. The Fund empowers churches, faith-based groups, and local communities to drive lasting social change through grantmaking, capacity building, and grassroots engagement. Their mission includes revealing the realities of poverty via research and advocacy while fostering resilient, inclusive communities where everyone feels valued and connected. Their approach blends faith-inspired and systemic methods, leveraging church assets for holistic, community-led anti-poverty impact.

What Church Urban Fund funds

Church Urban Fund prioritises poverty alleviation, social cohesion, community resilience, and overcoming exclusion. They fund practical interventions such as food banks, debt advice, mental health support, community cafés, integration schemes, and interfaith programmes. They also support activities like leadership development, multi-agency food insecurity partnerships, and refugee hospitality. All funding is directed to urban deprived areas across England, favouring small to medium, locally rooted organisations. They do not fund capital projects or provide unrestricted grants.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are registered charities, community groups, and faith groups operating in England, with a focus on urban deprived areas. Many applicants have a Christian ethos, but secular organisations are also welcome. The Fund prefers small to medium organisations that are locally rooted. There are no strict income limits, but the emphasis is on groups embedded in their communities and addressing poverty and deprivation directly.

What Church Urban Fund doesn't fund

Church Urban Fund does not fund capital projects or provide unrestricted grants. They also do not support organisations outside England or those not working in urban deprived areas.

How they like to fund

Church Urban Fund offers project and capacity-building grants, typically single-year, and welcomes unsolicited applications. Their funding style focuses on practical, community-led interventions, and they work closely with grantees through capacity building and partnership development.

How much does Church Urban Fund give?

£500 – £5,000

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

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Poverty & hardshipCommunityFaith

How to apply to Church Urban Fund

Church Urban Fund takes applications via invitation only.

Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Church Urban Fund could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Church Urban Fund provide?

Church Urban Fund typically provides grants of £500 - £5,000.

Where does Church Urban Fund fund charities?

Church Urban Fund funds charities operating in England.

Does Church Urban Fund accept unsolicited applications?

Church Urban Fund accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from Church Urban Fund?

Church Urban Fund takes applications via invitation only. Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.