Congregational and General Charitable Trust

Could Congregational and General Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £1,000 – £25,000
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Email application
Decisions: Quarterly

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

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candgtrust.org.uk

About Congregational and General Charitable Trust

The Congregational and General Charitable Trust was established in 1956 as the charitable arm of the Congregational and General Insurance Company and has been independent since 1987. It is a specialist funder dedicated to advancing the Christian religion by supporting the built fabric and mission of Protestant churches across the UK. The Trust has a longstanding affinity for United Reformed, Congregational, and wider Protestant denominations. Its values of stewardship, sustaining worship, and enabling community engagement drive its grant-making. The Trust focuses exclusively on capital projects that safeguard church infrastructure for worship and community impact, making it a leading niche funder in this area.

What Congregational and General Charitable Trust funds

The Trust funds essential repairs, improvements, extensions, and adaptations to church buildings, including roof repairs, accessibility upgrades, and conversions of space for community use. It also supports church-led community projects that utilise church premises and align with the Trust's Christian ethos. All funding is for capital projects, and the Trust operates across the UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man. Typical beneficiaries are small to medium-sized local Protestant churches.

Who can apply

Protestant churches, particularly those within United Reformed, Congregational, and other Protestant denominations, are eligible. Applicants must be UK-registered charities or faith groups based in the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man. The Trust has no fixed income limit but prefers grassroots congregations over large national bodies. It prioritises small to medium-sized local charities that need physical enhancements to their buildings.

What Congregational and General Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund running costs, retrospective projects, organs, bells, artworks, manses, graveyards, standalone environmental works, or revenue expenses. It also excludes projects that have already started or those exceeding a high total cost, and it does not support large national bodies.

How they like to fund

The Trust makes one-off capital grants for specific building projects. It welcomes unsolicited applications and typically awards a single grant per organisation every two years. Funding is project-based and does not cover ongoing costs or multi-year commitments.

How much does Congregational and General Charitable Trust give?

£1,000 – £25,000

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 Congregational and General Charitable Trust

Congregational and General Charitable Trust takes applications via email application.

Decisions are typically quarterly.
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 Congregational and General Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Congregational and General Charitable Trust provide?

Congregational and General Charitable Trust typically provides grants of £1,000 - £25,000.

Where does Congregational and General Charitable Trust fund charities?

Congregational and General Charitable Trust funds charities operating in the UK.

Does Congregational and General Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Congregational and General Charitable Trust 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 Congregational and General Charitable Trust?

Congregational and General Charitable Trust takes applications via email application. Decisions are typically quarterly.