(Last Updated: May 2026)<\/p>\n
It is important that church buildings are accessible for disabled people.
\nBelow is a list of possible funders and contacts that may be able to help with obtaining funding to make disability-related improvements in churches<\/p>\n
If your premises are used for community work and require access for community activities, there may be additional funding possibilities. Please see the relevant section at the bottom of this page.<\/p>\n
In addition to the contacts listed below, we also recommend that churches research grant making trusts in the area local to the church. These may be smaller funds but they are often able to provide some assistance.<\/p>\n
Work to church buildings to provide access for people with disabilities (e.g. ramps, accessible WC or widening doors) is zero-rated for VAT. An appropriate certificate needs to be given to the contractor for the contractor to be able to obtain zero-rating on supplies, as well as his labour. The Church Growth Trust has a helpful briefing paper covering the Equality Act and how to put this into practice in terms of your church building. There are also other briefing papers available covering specific areas of accessibility such as ramps and accessible WCs:<\/p>\n Follow this link for a page of disability-related briefing papers from Church Growth Trust<\/a>.<\/p>\n The other organisations below may be able to help you in obtaining funding to make disability-related improvements in churches.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The National Churches Trust supports a variety of churches, chapels and meeting houses across the United Kingdom with its grants programmes.<\/p>\n Grants are available to any Christian place of worship in the UK that is open for regular worship. They help keep church buildings in good repair, open for worship and community activities, and allow them to continue to serve people, communities and visitors in all sorts of ways.<\/p>\n Whether you are looking to repair your roof, install a kitchen or accessible toilets, clear asbestos or simply need help undertaking regular essential maintenance to your building, there is a range of grants to suit the size and needs of your project.<\/p>\n Follow this link to visit the national churches trust grants page<\/a><\/p>\n The National Churches Trust Benefact Trust exists to make a positive difference to people's lives by funding, guiding and celebrating the work of churches and Christian charities; empowering the most vulnerable and giving people, communities and places a renewed opportunity to flourish.<\/p>\n Building Grants for Churches and Christian Buildings<\/strong> Community Impact Grants: <\/strong>Benefact Trust\u2019s Community Impact Grants programme supports churches, cathedrals and Christian charities, delivering projects that make a meaningful difference to communities. It provides revenue funding<\/strong> for projects that support Christian mission and deliver social impact across the UK and Ireland prioritising funding for projects that: Methodist Grants: <\/strong>Benefact Trust\u2019s Methodist Grants Programme seeks to enhance the mission and ministry of the Methodist Church in the UK and Ireland. Funded primarily by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC, the programme provides grants to Methodist organisations to run building development projects and repair and maintenance projects that focus on church growth (both numerically and spiritually), community engagement, improving accessibility, and environmental benefits. One of the specific areas grants will be awarded for is \u2018Work which includes the provision of disabled access and facilities.\u2019<\/p>\n Follow this link to visit the Benefact Trust website<\/a><\/p>\n Benefact Trust The Heritage Fund has a variety of programmes which might suit your project if it has a heritage and community angle. You can contact their local fund office for more information:<\/p>\n Follow this link to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in your area website<\/a> The Garfield Weston Foundation supports a wide range of charities that make a positive difference, working in different sectors in the UK. These include welfare, youth, community, environment, education, health, arts, heritage and faith.<\/p>\n \u201cEach year we support capital projects to improve rural and urban faith buildings so they can be used more widely by the local community. These projects include putting in kitchens, toilets, improving accessibility and energy efficiency. For many areas these buildings are the only ones available for public use and we know how important a physical place to meet up is for a community. While these projects may not be appealing to all funders, we welcome applications for this type of work that supports local communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow this link to read an example of Garfield Weston's support for St Peter and St Paul Church, Great Casterton<\/a>. <\/p>\n Garfield Weston Foundation The Joseph Rank Trust funds the adaptation or improvement of Church properties (including new build and the purchase of buildings) with a view to providing improved facilities for use by the church and its work in the community in which it is based. The primary objective of the Trust is to advance the Christian faith.<\/p>\n Follow this link to the Rank Trust website<\/a><\/p>\n The Joseph Rank Trust The new Church of England \u2018Parish Accessibility Fund\u2019 is now open for applications until 31st December 2028 (or until the funds are all allocated). The aim of this scheme is to fund projects which improve accessibility to church buildings which would not otherwise be possible. This could be by improving access or facilities, or even arranging training or other events around disability inclusion.<\/p>\n There are two grant sizes: Small \u00a31000-\u00a35000 and Large \u00a35000-\u00a350,000. Projects must be focused on accessibility, not just include it amongst, for example, general reordering.<\/p>\n Follow this link for the Parish Accessibility Fund resources<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n Ecclesiastical has a list of grant funders for churches, including several which cover specific geographical areas, or with a specific focus. Do have a look to see whether your church could potentially fit the criteria.<\/p>\n Follow this link: https:\/\/www.ecclesiastical.com\/church\/fundraising\/funds\/<\/a><\/p>\n Practical tips and step-by-step guides on how to find the money you need for your community group, organisation or charity. Directory of Social Change provides information and training to the voluntary sector to enable charities to achieve their mission. They run courses and publish a wide variety of resources for charities, including UK fundraising guides, directories, and funding websites.
\nFollow this link for further information on VAT relief<\/a>.<\/p>\nGuidance on the Equality Act \u2013 Making church buildings fully accessible<\/h2>\n
\nFollow this link for the briefing paper: Equality-act-making-buildings-fully-accessible-September-2020.pdf<\/a> (churchgrowth.org.uk)<\/p>\n\nWhere to get grants for churches<\/h1>\n
National Churches Trust<\/h2>\n
\n7 Tufton Street
\nLondon
\nSW1P 3QB
\nTelephone: 0207 222 0605<\/span>
\nEmail: info@nationalchurchestrust.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBenefact Trust<\/h2>\n
\nBenefact Trust\u2019s Building Grants programme provides capital funding for the repair, restoration, and improvement of church and Christian charity buildings, helping them remain open, accessible, and fit for long-term use. One of their priorities is specifically accessibility.
\nEligible costs include: Accessibility improvement<\/strong> (e.g. ramps, handrails, lifts, hearing loops, accessible toilets and basic AV equipment to aid accessibility \u2013 i.e. hearing loops, microphones, speakers and screens that will remain in situ at the church building).<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Address social challenges facing communities<\/strong>, such as poverty, homelessness, isolation and loneliness, and addiction or substance misuse
\n\u2022 Grow and sustain congregations and Christian communities<\/strong>, such as faith development, youth work, church planting, volunteer training, or staff roles that support long-term sustainability (for example, volunteer coordinators or bookings administrators).
\nThis funding supports community activity and service delivery, rather than building or construction work.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBenefact House, 2000 Pioneer Avenue,
\nGloucester Business Park, Brockworth,
\nGloucester, GL3 4AW
\nTel: 01452 873189<\/span>
\nEmail: info@benefacttrust.co.uk<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nThe National Lottery Heritage Fund<\/h2>\n
\nOr see Follow this link to the National Lottery Heritage Fund places of worship website<\/a>
\nOne of the possible projects listed under the Heritage Fund places of worship grant is: installing facilities such as toilets which can be shown to enable more inclusive use of the building in future.<\/p>\nGarfield Weston Foundation<\/h2>\n
\nWeston Centre
\n10 Grosvenor Street
\nLondon
\nW1K 4QY
\nTel: 020 7399 6565<\/span>
\nEmail: admin@garfieldweston.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Joseph Rank Trust<\/h2>\n
\nWorth Corner
\nTurners Hill Road
\nCRAWLEY
\nRH10 7SL
\nTelephone : 01293 873947<\/span>
\nEmail: secretary@ranktrust.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nChurch of England specific funding \u2013 Parish Accessibility Fund<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Other Contacts<\/h1>\n
Ecclesiastical<\/h2>\n
(Potential grants in your area\/denomination)<\/h4>\n
NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations)<\/h2>\n
\nFollow this link for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations website<\/a><\/p>\nDirectory Of Social Change<\/h2>\n
\nFollow this link to the Directory of Social Change website<\/a><\/p>\nGRANTfinder<\/h2>\n