Grants & Funding for Church Projects

Tina Andrew

Church Heritage & Conservation Officer

October 2015

Course Programme

• Things to Consider Before Making a Grant Application

• Eligibility Criteria

• The Application Process

• What Funders Look For in an Application

• Reporting to Funders

• The Main Grant Awarding Bodies

• The GRANTfinder & GRANTnet Databases

A Difficult Question to Ask

• Will your church be there in 10 years time?

• Factors which may affect it:

– A shrinking congregation or community

– The amalgamation of nearby parishes

• This could lead to a surplus of churches or halls which are better equipped or more easily accessible

– The overall condition of the building fabric

– Current & future funding availability

– Ongoing costs & maintenance

– The overall vision of the Diocese and Archdeaconry

First Steps

• Discuss the project idea at the earliest stage with your Area Dean/Archdeacon, Churches & Pastoral Committee and DAC Secretary – It is important to get their support – They will be able to give an overview of the project in

the wider context of the Diocese as a whole

• Do some initial research into possible funders – Major funders (eg. Heritage Lottery Fund) have

comprehensive websites – Information on local funders can be obtained for the

County Voluntary Councils in each local authority area – Grants & funding databases

Project Research • Gather data to support your idea

– Canvass opinion from your local community • What do they think? What do they need? Is the project anything they

would be willing to help with or support?

– Talk to your local authority • They might have an idea of what facilities are needed in the area

– Talk to local businesses • They might be able to help with sponsorship or provide other types of

help (eg. equipment, manpower, etc)

– This might actually change what you think you need - so be flexible and open to new ideas

• Has a similar project been done elsewhere? – Visit if possible and talk to that PCC and local community (ie. all

those involved with the project) about their experiences – Be aware that you might not get funding for the same type of

project in the same area

Choosing a Lead Professional • Do they have any conservation expertise?

– Your lead professional will need to be conservation accredited if you are applying to the HLF for funding

• Design skills – Are you looking for a good designer (eg. if a new-build project) or

someone who is more sympathetic to historic buildings work • With a bit of luck you will get both!

• Management skills – Will your architect also be your project manager?

• Enthusiasm & personality – Do you get along well with them? – Are they keen and enthusiastic about your vision?

• What is the size of practice? – A small local practice might have local knowledge of your building and

its context within the urban/rural landscape and be more “hands on” – Alternately, a larger practice may be better resourced and have access

to other experts (eg. structural engineers) within the practice

Interview Candidates! • They must convince you (the client) they are the right person for

the job – Your QQ architect or surveyor will probably be the first on the list for

consideration • However, be aware that they might not always be the most suitable person for

your particular project • Professionals are used to being interviewed or asked to tender for work

• Meet them at your church – Show them the issues – This will help you gauge their knowledge and interest

• Check their references – Does the practice have the conservation/historic expertise or is it just

the architect/surveyor you will be working with? – Ask them for examples of other historic buildings they have worked on

and then go and visit them

• Check who will be doing the work – Especially important if it is a large practice – Be aware that the person you meet on site might not be the one who

will carry out the work

Grant Eligibility Criteria • All funders have eligibility criteria

– Always read the small print carefully before making the application

• This could be based on location – eg. local (S Wales valleys), regional (Wales) or national (UK wide)

• It may be based on the purpose of the project – eg. education & learning

• It may be restricted to a particular type of organisation or sector – eg. the voluntary sector

• It may be dictated by the cost of the project – eg. HLF’s Heritage Grants Programme will only fund projects greater

than £100,000

• Match funding could be required • Criteria can (and does) change

– Make sure you check before submitting your application, especially if you are re-applying to a particular scheme

– eg. Listed POW Grant Scheme (VAT reclamation)

The Application Procedure • Not all application procedures are created equal!

– There is no standard application process – The number of hoops you have to jump through is usually dependent on the

amount of grant you are applying for – eg. HLF’s Sharing Heritage uses a one-stage process but their Grants for Places

of Worship uses a two-stage process

• If possible look at other applications or case studies of similar projects – Examples of these are often available on the funders website along with

guidance notes and best practice advice

• Always read the instructions carefully – What additional documents or items will be required?

• eg. photos, outline project plan, constitution, accounts, etc

• Prepare a draft application first – Ask several people to check this before the final application is prepared and

submitted

• Be aware that submission procedures vary between funders – eg. HLF is a complete online application, whereas the BIG Lottery applications

are submitted via email or post

Reporting to Funders

• It is important to monitor your own project on a regular basis regardless of how large or small it is – This will help you to react quickly to any unforeseen circumstances – Keep the project team up-to-date with overall progress – Demonstrate to the stakeholders & funders that you are on top of things

• All funders will require you to monitor your project and supply reports – The regularity with which you do this will vary depending on the funder – The type of report and the way you submit it will also vary – eg. HLF Heritage Grants use a member of staff or an external agency to

monitor the project • A standard form is submitted online – the frequency of which is usually agreed at the

start of the project • Documents, plans & photographs can be attached

– eg. Awards for All Wales only require one end of grant report

• Funds for larger grants are normally released in stages and this is dependent on them receiving satisfactory progress reports

• Some funders will also visit the project at various stages to see how their money is being used

What Funders Look For in an Application

• A need for your project – Have you researched this? Is it supported by the people who are going to

benefit from it (ie. your target group)? Do you have any letters of recommendation from them?

• A well thought out project plan with accurate costings and delivery dates/milestones

• An application/form that is concise, accurate, legible and well presented and has all the requested documentation attached – Most larger grant applications will need to be accompanied by a “letter of

recommendation” from the Representative Body as owner of the property • make sure this is done well before the application deadline

• Evidence that your project will be well managed – For a PCC this might be well kept accounts, accurate recording of minutes at

meetings or details of previous projects you have successfully delivered

• Demonstrate how the project will make a difference – What is the immediate/long term benefit to your target group – How will you measure this?

Common Reasons Why Applications Fail

• An application has been made to the wrong funding scheme – People often spend too much time writing the proposal and not

enough on analysing the key features of the grant programme – Do your homework before putting pen to paper

• Don’t make your proposal fit the eligibility criteria of a particular scheme – Identify the most appropriate scheme and spend time producing a

well structured proposal whose aims are aligned with the funders

• Applicants fail to demonstrate why they project is needed • The project is poorly planned with no indication of what the money

will be spent on • The project is inaccurately budgeted – this displays poor financial

management to the funder • Applicants have not included effective monitoring and evaluation

measures for their project – This indicates that the project is poorly managed

A Gentle Reminder ... • Do your homework before putting pen to paper • Make sure you have the support of the incumbent, Archdeacon, Diocesan

Funding Officer, DAC, etc • If the project involves the wider community – then consult them first! • Talk to other parishes who have already raised money/accessed funds • Be clear about what you want the money for • Identify possible funders

– Speak to them first if possible – Make sure you understand their eligibility criteria, application process and

what documentation/evidence they will need

• Think about who will manage the project • Make your application count - presentation is all

– Read the application guidelines carefully, do a “dry run”, make sure the application is legible and all required documentation is sent with it

• Golden rule: make sure you have all the necessary permissions (including from the funder!) before starting the project – faculty, planning permission, etc

Main Sources of Funding

• Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

• Big Lottery Fund

• Cadw

• Welsh Government Grants – Aggregates Levy Fund for Wales

– Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP)

• Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

• Landfill Communities Fund (LCF)

• Church in Wales Grants

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

• Funded solely by the National Lottery

• Operates 15 grant programmes

• Programmes most “applicable” to churches: – Sharing Heritage (£3,000 to £10,000)

– Our Heritage (£10,000 to £100,000)

– Heritage Grants (above £100,000)

– Grants for Places of Worship (£10,000 to £250,000)

• 3 main outcome categories – Heritage, people & communities

http://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes

HLF Grants – What is Usually Funded?

• Buildings and Monuments

• Community Heritage

• Cultures and Memories

• Industrial, Maritime & Transport

• Land & Natural Heritage

• Museums, Libraries & Archives

http://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/what-we-fund

HLF Grants – What is Not Usually Funded

• Non-heritage projects!

• Non-UK projects

• Projects that promote the cause or beliefs of political and faith organisations

• Work that has already started

• Projects where the main focus is meeting your legal and/or statutory responsibilities, such as the requirements of the Equality Act 2010

HLF Grants – Who Can Apply?

• Not-for-profit organisations • Private owners of heritage • Partnerships led by not-for-profit organisations • Examples include:

– Community or voluntary groups – Community Interest Companies – Charities or trusts – Social enterprises – Community/parish councils – Local authorities – Other public sector organisations, such as nationally

funded museums

What are Outcomes?

• All HLF grants have a set of outcomes that need to be met for their grants

• An outcome can be thought of as an end product – ie. something that needs to be done or achieved

• There are 3 categories of outcome – People, Heritage & Communities – Each outcome has a different set of values that ideally

should be met • Some values are weighted which means that the HLF are

particularly keen to see these incorporated into your project

• How many outcomes and values you need to meet depends on the HLF programme you are applying for

HLF Grants Application Process • Lots of pre-application advice available on the HLF website • It is an online application process only

– Need to register before you can access any forms

• Advisable to speak to the HLF before starting an application • You will be asked to fill in a project enquiry form

– HLF will then advise whether the project is likely to meet their aims and what to do next

• Supporting documents will be required at all stages of the application process – These could include: a copy of your organisation’s constitution,

accounts, project timetable, costs, a conservation statement, an activity plan, etc

• Programmes are either rolling or have deadlines – Deadlines are published on the website

• The application procedure can be a one-stage or two-stage process depending on which programme you are applying to

HLF Grants for Places of Worship (GPOW)

• Grants available from £10,000 to £250,000 in Wales • This programme is for urgent structural repairs to listed POWs that

are used for regular worship (at least six times a year) – ie. repairs that need to be undertaken in the next 2 years – A quinquennial inspection report will be required to support this – You will also need a letter of support from the RB

• Funds available for high level repairs and historic fabric – eg. roofs, towers, rainwater goods, spires, masonry – Up to 15% of project costs can be used for kitchen & toilets,

improvements to heating & lighting, energy efficiency and works to assist with ongoing maintenance • These works should be intended to encourage more people to visit and use

your POW

• Outcomes for Heritage & Communities required – Heritage outcome is weighted (ie. the most important)

http://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/grants-places-worship-wales

GPOW Application Process • Grants from £10,000 to £250,000 • Speak to HLF and/or submit project enquiry form • Grants are made under a two-round (ie. two-stage)

assessment process – You will submit mainly outline proposals at the first-stage

• 4 deadlines each year for first round applications – A decision is made within 3 months – If successful a “first round pass” awarded – A separate development grant can requested at this time

• Applicants are expected to submit a detailed second round application within 12 months – A decision is made within 3 months

• Be aware that competitive tendering is required on all goods, services or works above £10,000

BIG Lottery Fund • BIG is one of several Lottery distributors in Wales

that support good causes in the arts, heritage, film, health, education, environment, sport, community and charity sectors in Wales

• Operate 30 programmes across the UK – Currently 9 active programmes in Wales

• Available to voluntary & community groups • Programmes “applicable” to churches

– Awards for All Wales (£500 to £5,000) – People and Places (£5,000 to £1 million)

• Projects must have a community link

https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/wales

Awards for All Wales

• Small grants scheme (£500 to £5,000)

• Awards for All aims to provide grants for voluntary and community groups

• Eligibility: – Must be a community group, not-for-profit group,

Community or Town Council, school or health body

• Submission is by one application form (downloadable) – Can be returned via post or email

• Decision within 10 weeks

• Projects must be completed within 1 year

• Can apply for another grant after 1 year

https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/wales/awards-for-all-wales

People and Places • Has a total budget of £20 million available each year • Grants between £5,000 and £1 million available

– 3 levels of grant each with slightly different eligibility criteria – Will fund capital & revenue projects

• Programme outcomes: – To revitalise communities – Improve community relations – Enhance local environments, community services and buildings

• Eligibility: – Grants only available to voluntary, community or public sector organisations

working individually or together – Projects must mainly benefit people in Wales

• Submit an initial outline proposal form (by post or email) • If successful BIG will send out a Stage 1 application form within 30 days • If Stage 1 is successful, BIG will send out a Stage 2 application form

– This needs to be returned within 6 months – If successful BIG will advise within 6 months

https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/global-content/programmes/wales/people-and-places

Cadw – Historic Buildings Grant

• “The focus for Cadw’s future grant giving will be on historic building repair schemes which will help stimulate regeneration opportunities and/or which will help save listed buildings that are at risk”

• Applications for funding in 2016/7 will be available from 1st January 2016 – Closing date for receipt of applications is 30 April 2016 – The application form is downloadable from the website

• Up to 30% of eligible repair costs can be paid – each application is considered on a case-by-case basis

• Speak to Cadw before making an application – They will be able to offer further advice on matters such as

current eligibility criteria and priorities for funding projects – You can contact them on 01443 336048 or 01443 336046

http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/historicenvironment/help-advice-and-grants/grants/historicbuildings/?lang=en

Cadw - Civic Initiative (Heritage) Grants Scheme

• The aim of scheme is to promote a better understanding of local heritage – Assist with the presentation of a historic structure – Improve public appreciation of the built heritage – Provide visitor information

• Maximum grant of £5,000 available – Up to 50% of eligible project costs can be paid – Each application considered on a case-by-case basis – Distributed on a first come first served basis

• Note! The scheme is currently under review – Cadw are not accepting any new applications at present

http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/historicenvironment/help-advice-and-grants/grants/civicinitiativesgrant/?lang=en

Voluntary Sector Grants • Welsh Government Voluntary Sector Grants

– Lots of grant schemes out there eg. Coalfields Regeneration Trust – Applicants should speak directly to the grant scheme administrators to

check eligibility or

• Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) – Offer advice, support, training for volunteer organisations in Wales – Administer numerous grant schemes open to the voluntary sector – See website for contact details

• County Voluntary Councils (CVCs) – There is a CVC based in each Local Authority (LA) in Wales – They provide a range of support services to enhance the development

and effectiveness of voluntary and community action locally – They offer training and funding advice – Run small grant schemes themselves in several areas – See your LA website for your local CVC contact details

http://wales.gov.uk/funding/grants/contact-us/?lang=en http://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/where-we-work/wales

http://www.wcva.org.uk http://www.wcva-ids.org.uk/cvsc/1050

Aggregates Levy Fund for Wales • Administered by Welsh Government • Funds community projects directly affected by aggregate extraction

(eg. crushed rock, sand or gravel quarrying) or marine dredging • Has a budget of approx £550,000 per year

– Grants available between £10,000 and £150,000 – Projects must be completed within 1 year – Projects must not “straddle” the financial year

• Currently 2 application deadlines per year – October (for projects starting in April of the following year) – April (for projects starting in July of the same year)

• Repairs to faith buildings alone are not eligible – Community projects involving the use of faith buildings will still be

considered

• Applicants must speak to WG before making an application – If project is considered viable, an application pack will be sent out

• Contact is Russell Dobbins, Fund Manager, Aggregate Levy Fund for Wales at: russell.dobbins@wales.gsi.gov.uk and 02920 823261

Community Facilities & Activities

Programme (CFAP)

• CFAP is a capital grant scheme administered by the Welsh Government – Open to community & voluntary organisations – Projects must be community focused – Will not fund church repairs and maintenance solely

• Maximum grant of £500,000 available • Rolling grant scheme – no deadlines • Two-stage application process

– Need to submit an “expression of interest” form – If a project is approved an invitation to submit a full application

will be sent out • This needs to be completed and returned within 6 months

• See website for programme details and contacts

http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/communities/grants/community-facilities-programme/?lang=en

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme • Administered by the DCMS • Reclaim back VAT on repairs, maintenance and alterations

– Up to 100% of VAT is now refunded on eligible items

• Check the eligibility rules carefully as they change regularly! – Building must be listed and primarily used as a POW – Must be open to the public for worship at least 6 times a year

• Claims processed every week – Should receive payment within 1 month

• Invoices over 1 year old will not be accepted • The building contractor must be VAT registered • Normally minimum claim of £1,000 but no maximum

– In any 12 month period each POW may submit one claim above £500 but below £1000

– This is in addition to an unlimited number of claims above £1000

• Consult the website for up-to-date information or ring the Helpline on 0845 013 6601

http://www.lpwscheme.org.uk/index.htm

Landfill Communities Fund (LCF)

• Landfill operators pay a tax to the Government on every ton of waste that they dispose of in a landfill site

• The LCF allows landfill operators to 'offset' a percentage of the landfill tax and give a proportion of it to organisations instead of paying it as tax to the Government

• Generally not-for-profit organisations that live within a 10 mile radius are eligible – Project should deliver benefits to the general public, biodiversity or the environment

• The LCF is regulated by ENTRUST (a not-for-profit company) on behalf of HM Revenue & Customs

• Grants are available from the landfill operator directly (usually via a trust) – eg. Biffaward, SITA Trust, etc, OR

• Contact ENTRUST who will put organisations in touch with operators • Projects can be large or small

– eg. £100,000 for Exeter Cathedral library project – eg. £5,000 for re-hanging of church bells at Whitwick Church in the Midlands – eg. £39,500 for Dailly Church Hall Ayrshire

http://www.entrust.org.uk/landfill-community-fund

Representative Body of CiW Grant • Application must be supported by the Churches and

Pastoral Committee (CPC) and the Parish’s Archdeacon • Must be used within 2 years • Eligible costs:

– Repair to the fabric of a church (excluding stained glass or decoration unless such works represent less than 10% of a major repair project)

– Works to improve safety and accessibility – Extensions – New churches

• A maximum grant of £3,000 is available or 100% of eligible costs where project costs are below £3,000

• For information contact Paul Rees, Property Services

Some Other Useful Funding Sources

• Diocesan Churches & Pastoral Committees

• Welsh Church Act Funds – Administered by local authorities who are the trustees

of the funds

– Money is not for the exclusive use of churches

• Allchurches Trust (EIG)

• National Churches Trust

• Private Trusts (via CVCs/GRANTnet/GRANTfinder)

• European Funding (via CVCs/GRANTnet/GRANTfinder)

http://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/our-grants/repair-grants

http://www.allchurches.co.uk/

GRANTfinder

• A grants and funding database that each Diocese subscribes to

• Extremely useful as a first port of call when looking for funding

• Dioceses responsible for creating users • Can search on several criteria and save/share searches • Contains lots of useful information about grants & funding • Can notify users of deadlines and any new grants that

become available • Smaller version GRANTnet freely available at: • http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/resources/grants-funding-

search-facility/

Any Questions?

To download copies of this presentation go to:

http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/heritage/