Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust

Could Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £2,000 – £10,000
Where they fund: Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Bristol
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Email application
Decisions: Bi annually

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

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ghct.org.uk

About Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust is an independent charity dedicated to preserving and sustaining historic places of Christian worship across all denominations. Founded on values of continuity, inclusivity, stewardship, and community engagement, it champions conservation-led grantmaking that safeguards architecturally and historically significant church buildings, chapels, and churchyards for future generations. The Trust emphasises collaboration with congregations, prioritising projects that deliver enduring physical improvements fostering social cohesion, local identity, and resilience. It funds capital works addressing urgent fabric deterioration and accessibility adaptations, ensuring these sacred spaces remain vibrant centres of faith and community life.

What Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust funds

The Trust funds capital works for the repair and improvement of historic Christian places of worship. Supported projects include structural repairs, roof repairs, stonework conservation, window restoration, and maintenance measures, as well as accessibility adaptations and essential facilities upgrades such as toilets or kitchens. Grants are available for churches across Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, and North Bristol, covering medieval wool churches, non-conformist chapels, modern worship spaces, and both listed and unlisted ecclesiastical structures. Priority is given to applicant churches that support the Trust through a regular donation or by raising money via the annual Ride+Stride event. Grants will not normally be offered for substantial repairs unless the work has been specified by an architect or surveyor with appropriate conservation training.

Who can apply

Christian churches of all denominations in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, and North Bristol are eligible to apply. The Trust supports congregations and the wider communities that use these historic buildings for worship, fellowship, and cultural activities. Priority is given to churches that support the Trust through a regular donation or by raising money via the annual Ride+Stride event. Only one application may be made per church per twelve-month period, and grants must be claimed within twelve months of award.

What Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund core costs, salaries, research, training, events, transport, feasibility studies, or emergency work. It also does not support non-Christian places of worship or non-worship spaces. Grants are not normally offered for substantial repairs unless the work has been specified by an architect or surveyor with appropriate conservation training.

How they like to fund

The Trust awards one-off grants for specific capital projects and does not require match funding. Unsolicited applications are welcome, and priority is given to churches that support the Trust through a regular donation or by raising money via the annual Ride+Stride event.

How much does Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust give?

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 17 sourced facts

Grants for repair and improvement of places of Christian worshipOpen to applications

£500 – £10,000

Next deadline 31 October 2026
2 rounds a year
Decisions in ~2 weeks
Single-year grants

Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.

What Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Applicant churches which support the work of the Trust, by a regular donation or by raising money through the annual Ride+Stride event, will be given priority, and grants offered will reflect this.

Where they fund

GloucestershireSouth GloucestershireNorth Bristol

Costs they'll cover

Capital works & buildingsEquipment

They don't fund

Core costsSalariesResearchTrainingEventsTransportFeasibility studiesEmergency funding

The full exclusions list (1)

Grants will not normally be offered for substantial repairs unless the work has been specified by an architect or surveyor with appropriate conservation training. Only one application may be made per church per 12 month period. If a grant is not claimed within twelve months it will normally be cancelled.

Good to know

FaithChristian only

Focus areas

Arts & cultureFaith

How to apply to Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust takes applications via email application.

Decisions are typically bi annually.
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 Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust provide?

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust runs one grant programme — Grants for repair and improvement of places of Christian worship: £500 – £10,000.

Where does Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust fund charities?

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust funds charities operating in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, North Bristol.

Does Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Grants will not normally be offered for substantial repairs unless the work has been specified by an architect or surveyor with appropriate conservation training. Only one application may be made per church per 12 month period. If a grant is not claimed within twelve months it will normally be cancelled.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust?

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust takes applications via email application. Decisions are typically bi annually.