How we can support your church

The DHCT is a volunteer charity which enables the maximum income to be delivered as grants to our churches in their hour of need.

We offer different types of grants, main grants, small repair grants or emergency repair grants.

Each grant requires an application process and we have published information on this page to help make your application as easy as possible in the tips for grant applications, advice & support section.

We are unable to help closed churches or chapels and the Trust does not have the resources to grant aid bells, organs, clocks and detached church halls.

links to topics on this page

Main grants

Small repair grants or emergency repair grants

Tips for grant applications, advice & support

How our grants are used

Apply for a grant

Case studies

Main Grants

Main grants are for larger projects where the DHCT Trustees require certain information and committee decisions to approve grants.

Don’t be put off by this though. Parish Church or Chapel Committees have detailed accounts so providing the necessary information for approval is generally straight forward. Over the years there have been many many grants awarded.

So what is a main grant for? Unlike small repair or emergency repair grants a main grant is for either larger or more complex projects. Here are some examples:

Roof repairs
Repairs to floors
Repairs to churchyard walls
Tower repairs
Internal masonry repairs
Rewiring
Stained glass window repairs
Accessible toilets & kitchen facilities
New heating systems
Replacement of coping stones & removal of chimney

Grants are awarded up to a maximum of £5000.00.

How often are grants reviewed or awarded? Your bid for grant funding will be considered by the Trustees at their quarterly meetings. Our Grants’ Administrator will notify you of the Trustees’ decision within a few days of their committee meeting. Meetings are generally held in January, April, July and October. Meeting dates for 2026 – Monday 19th January, Monday 27th April, Monday 27th July & Monday12th October. Please ensure your application is submitted three weeks before these deadlines.

What else do I need to know about main grants? Good question! There’s are a few things…

You will need to make an application by either filling in our online form or if you prefer by downloading an application form, printing it, completing it and then sending it to our fund raising secretary (all the details are on the grant application page).
The Trustees will invite a DHCT Assessor to contact you to arrange a visit to your church and discuss the project. In advance of his or her visit, the DHCT Assessor will ask you for an electronic copy of the PCC’s most recently approved accounts, together with a copy of the Faculty (if appropriate) and Architect or Surveyor Specification if available. We would prefer that each of these supporting documents are sent to the Assessor electronically by email (although there are other ways this information can be received).

Funded project examples

: St Helen's Church Abbotsham rebuilding parapet March 2024

: St Helen's Church Abbotsham parapet rebuild March 2024

: St Helen's Church Abbotsham installing lead flashing on parapet March 2024

: St Helen's Church Abbotsham repaired floor deadening chamber March 2024

: Work in progress

: Bells leaving the belfry

: Installation of insulation & membrane

: Modbury Church, 2024: after the works

: St Mary's Church Walkhampton easy access toilet

: Careful restoration at Modbury Church

: Modbury Church, new glass doors

: Modbury Church window restoration

: Master carpentry

: Clayidon Church under pew heaters installed

: New homes for the Modbury Church pews

: Modbury Parish Church Of St George underfloor heating

: Rose Ash Church new gable

: Rose Ash Church stone

APPLY FOR A GRANT

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Tips for grant applications, advice & support

Small repair grants or emergency repair grants

Small repair grants or emergency grants follow a streamlined process with decision making as quick as two to three days.

So what are these grants for? Designed to help with items of an urgent nature or a small but necessary project such as an urgent roof repair to prevent ingress of water, removal of fallen tree from church car park, failed guttering or a broken window. Grants may also be awarded towards preliminary costs e.g. professional fees and surveys that contribute to a Feasibility Study of a major fabric repair project or re-ordering. Grants are awarded up to £2000.00.

How often are grants reviewed or awarded? We review your application rapdily and will be to be in touch with you within a few days. Your application will of course need to meet our funding criteria to be successful. Either way we will advise you accordingly.

What else do I need to know about emergency repair grants?

Please make an application by either filling in our online form or if you prefer by downloading an application form, printing it, completing it and then sending it to our fund raising secretary (all information is here in the grant application page).

What else do I need to know about small grants?

The Trustees will need to see a copy of the Diocesan Faculty and the Archdeacon’s approval for the grant to go ahead.
We would expect to see evidence of other funding in support of the project e.g. community fund raising, or other grants awarded.
Funds would be released either to the PCC on receipt of a copy invoice for more than the amount of the approved grant, or paid directly to your contractor on receipt of a copy invoice signed as approved for payment by your PCC Chairman or Officer.

APPLY FOR A GRANT

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Tips for grant applications, advice & support

We want your grant application process to be as easy as possible. We will require certain information to process and consider a grant. Here are some tips, advice & support to help…

If applying for a main grant please check the quarterly dates for receipt of application forms here – listed above in the main grants section.
Answer ALL questions, especially your shortfall (i.e. the total project cost lessfunds available to you and raised to date. We cannot consider bids where you have not told us how much you need. Don’t forget to include the Listed Places of Worship: VAT Grant that can be claimed.
Keep it short and simple. Most information about the church architecture and history is available on line. Please provide the website link e.g. Historic England, A Church Near You, your Parish or Mission Community website if you have one.
Explain unusual points.
Early application for Faculty from the Diocese (if required).
Tell us if you run into delays or need to postpone your bid for funding.
Tell us if you receive an offer of grant funding from other Trusts or Heritage Lottery Funds.
Think about phasing large projects. We might be able to assist with another grant at a later phase of the project.
Be enthusiastic about your project and tell us about your community fund raising as evidence of need.