Aid To The Church In Need (united Kingdom)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £12,057,241 (UK); ~£120 million globally
• Geographic Focus: International - 137 countries with priority focus on Africa, Middle East, and Asia
• Grant Range: Up to £80,000
• Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (minimum 18 weeks)
• Projects Funded Globally: 5,335 projects in 2024
• Organizational Status: Pontifical Foundation of the Catholic Church

Contact Details

UK National Office:

• Address: 12-14 Benhill Avenue, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4DA
• Phone: 020 8642 8668 (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm)
• Email: acn@acnuk.org
• Website: www.acnuk.org

International Headquarters (for all applications):

• Aid to the Church in Need gGmbH
• Postfach 1209
• D-61452 Königstein/Taunus, Germany

Note: All applications for project grants should be sent directly to the international headquarters in Königstein, Germany, where all funding decisions are made. Enquiries about project grants and scholarships should be directed to the UK National Office.

Overview

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) was founded in 1947 by Norbertine priest Father Werenfried van Straaten at the request of Pope Pius XII to support displaced refugees and priests in post-World War II Europe. Originally called “Aid to the Eastern Priests,” this unique act of reconciliation collected donations from Belgium and the Netherlands for former enemies. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI elevated ACN to the status of a Pontifical Foundation of the Catholic Church, with headquarters in Vatican City State and international operations based in Königstein, Germany.

Today, ACN is a global pastoral aid organization that supports the Catholic faithful and other Christians where they are persecuted, oppressed, or in pastoral need. The charity operates in 137 countries, funding over 5,000 projects annually worth approximately $150 million globally. The UK office, registered in England and Wales (1097984) and Scotland (SC040748), raised £12.2 million in 2024. ACN receives no public funding and relies entirely on the generosity of benefactors, with over 360,000 donors worldwide. The organization emphasizes supporting the Church's evangelization efforts with a faith-centered, pastoral purpose, rather than primarily social aims such as education and healthcare.

Under National Director Dr. Caroline Hull since 2022, ACN UK has intensified its awareness-raising activities, with parish and school engagement increasing 14% in 2024 (324 events versus 285 in 2023). Recent UK focus areas have included Ukraine, Liberia, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and the Holy Land.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

ACN funds pastoral projects across multiple categories:

Faith Formation and Seminary Support (28.2% of global funding)

• Seminary training and formation programs
• Scholarships for religious formation
• Training courses for priests, religious, and laypeople
• Support for novitiates and religious institutes
• In 2024: supported nearly 10,000 seminarians globally, with 5,305 in Africa alone

Mass Stipends and Subsistence Aid (23.9% of global funding)

• Mass intention stipends for priests in need (distributed to 42,000+ priests globally in 2024)
• Basic subsistence for priests, sisters, and brothers in consecrated life
• Support for housing, food, clothing, heating, medication, and hygiene
• Applications only accepted from bishops or religious superiors on behalf of priests

Construction and Renovation Projects (23.6% of global funding)

• Building and repairing churches, chapels, and cathedrals
• Seminary and novitiate construction
• Convents and parish buildings
• Pastoral centers and monasteries
• In 2024: funded over 750 construction projects globally

Transportation for Pastoral Work (10.5% of global funding)

• Vehicles for pastoral ministry in remote areas
• In 2024: provided 1,141 vehicles including 474 automobiles, 388 bicycles, 264 motorcycles, 11 boats, 3 buses, and 1 lorry

Media Apostolate

• Catholic radio, television, and social media projects
• Religious publications, especially YOUCAT series
• ACN research publications and awareness materials

Emergency Assistance

• Support for internally displaced persons (IDPs)
• Refugee assistance
• Emergency aid for those facing active persecution

Geographic Priorities

ACN's regional funding distribution in 2024:

• Africa: 30.2% (largest portion) - priority countries include Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region
• Asia: 18.7% - with significant focus on India, Pakistan, and China
• Middle East: 17.5% - particularly Syria and Lebanon
• Latin America: 16.8%
• Europe: 15.9% - with substantial support for Ukraine ($9.1 million in 2024)

The organization has identified a shift in the epicenter of militant Islamist violence from the Middle East to Africa, particularly the Sahel region (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso), and has intensified focus accordingly.

Priority Areas

• Pastoral support for persecuted and oppressed Christian communities
• Church presence in areas where Christians face violence or discrimination
• Evangelization and catechetical programs
• Formation of future priests and religious
• Support for priests serving in poverty and isolation
• Reconstruction in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters
• Maintaining Christian presence in regions at risk of Christian exodus

What They Don't Fund

• Projects with primarily social aims (education, healthcare) unless directly supporting pastoral work
• Applications from individual priests (must come through bishops or religious superiors for Mass stipends)
• Projects where the Church does not own the land (for construction projects)
• Projects without ecclesiastical authority approval
• Non-Catholic projects (as they are a Pontifical Foundation funded primarily by Catholic donors)

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Governance and Leadership

UK Leadership

Dr. Caroline Hull - National Director (appointed 2022)

Dr. Hull oversees ACN UK's operations and has emphasized the organization's mission to raise awareness and support for the persecuted Church worldwide. She has stated: "Since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, it has been one of ACN's top priorities to do everything that we can to help Christians in the country stay in their homeland.“ She has also called on the UK government to ”prioritize bringing an end to violations of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB),“ noting that countries such as China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Afghanistan have undergone ”tremendous tribulation and suffering."

Timothy Church - National President/Chairman

Fr. Dominic Robinson, SJ - National Ecclesiastical Assistant

Board of Trustees

The ACN UK Board of Trustees comprises:

• Timothy Church (National President/Chairman)
• Archduke Philipp Habsburg-Lothringen
• Paul Marsden
• Patrick Heren
• Pauline Stuart
• Justin Maciejewski

All trustees are active, practicing Catholics with diverse skills including finance, management, charity expertise, fundraising, and pastoral backgrounds. No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Senior Staff

• Simon Sheldon - Company Secretary
• Patricia Hatton - Head of Fundraising and Marketing
• Scott Lester - Trading Manager

International Leadership

The Pontifical Foundation is led by Cardinal Mauro Piacenza (President), with Baron Johannes Heereman von Zuydtwyck serving as Executive President. The international headquarters in Königstein, Germany, oversees all project decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: All applications for project grants must be sent directly to the international headquarters in Königstein, Germany, NOT to the UK office. Funding decisions are made centrally by the international team.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be ecclesiastical authorities of the Catholic Church at parish, diocesan, or national levels, OR provincial/international levels for religious institutions or lay communities
• All applications require written approval from the local bishop or religious superior
• Lay applicants must include a letter of support from their parish priest
• The organization focuses on pastoral projects rather than primarily social initiatives

Required Documentation:

For All Projects:

1. Completed Basic Application Form (available from ACN International)
2. Detailed project description with analysis of pastoral context
3. Recommendation letter from competent ecclesiastical authority
4. Formal cost estimate in local currency
5. Financing plan showing local contributions and requests to other funding agencies
6. Project Agreement (FPA) signed by applicant
7. Photos and testimonies (optional but appreciated)

Additional Requirements for Construction Projects:

• Proof that the Church owns the land
• Copy of building permit
• Architectural plans (floor plan, elevation, and cross-section) showing exact size and style
• Current construction status if work has begun

Additional Requirements for Vehicle Requests:

• Completed Vehicle Request Form
• Detailed justification of pastoral urgency
• Description of pastoral situation including number, size, and activities of parishes served

For Mass Intentions:

• Applications only from bishops or religious superiors (individual priests should NOT apply directly)
• Completed FPAM form
• Applications should be submitted ONCE per year

For Scholarships:

• Completed Scholarship Request Form

Submission Address:

Aid to the Church in Need gGmbH

Postfach 1209

D-61452 Königstein/Taunus

GERMANY

Pre-Application Enquiries:

Contact the UK National Office for guidance before submitting your application to Germany.

Decision Timeline

• Standard Processing Time: Expect a reply within approximately 3 months
• Minimum Decision Time: 18 weeks, though this may be longer depending on various factors
• For Pastoral Programs/Formation Courses: Submit requests at least 3 months before activities begin
• Acknowledgment: Due to the large number of applications, the Project Department cannot acknowledge receipt of individual applications

Success Rates

While ACN does not publish specific success rate statistics, the organization:

• Received thousands of applications in 2024
• Funded 5,335 projects globally in 2024
• Prioritizes projects according to urgency of need and relevance to charitable objectives
• Acknowledges that lack of funds means they cannot respond positively to all requests

The organization notes in its documentation: "We try to make project grants according to the urgency of the need and its relevance to the charity's objectives."

Post-Approval Reporting Requirements

Grant recipients must provide:

1. Immediate acknowledgment of funding received
2. Narrative report describing pastoral benefits achieved
3. Complete financial report with itemized expenses
4. Copies of invoices and receipts
5. Minimum 1MB resolution photos demonstrating project results

Reapplication Policy

ACN's public documentation does not specify a formal reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations wishing to reapply should contact the international headquarters or UK office for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Key Factors ACN Emphasizes

1. Pastoral Focus is Essential

ACN explicitly states: “We focus on projects that support the evangelization efforts of the Catholic Church worldwide with a faith-centered, pastoral purpose.” Projects with primarily social aims (education, healthcare) are generally not supported unless they directly serve pastoral objectives. Applications must clearly demonstrate how the project advances the Church's spiritual mission.

2. Demonstrate Pastoral Context and Impact

Applications should include a detailed description of the pastoral context and explain the impact of the proposed solution. The organization values understanding the specific challenges facing the local Church and how the project addresses them. As their guidance states, applicants should “provide a detailed description of the pastoral context and the impact of the proposed solution.”

3. Ecclesiastical Authority Support is Mandatory

All applications must include written approval from the local bishop or religious superior. This is non-negotiable. ACN works in cooperation with the local Church hierarchy, and this endorsement demonstrates that the project aligns with diocesan or congregational priorities.

4. Show Local Contribution

ACN expects “a contribution from the local Church according to the possibilities of the community.” Your application should demonstrate what resources the local community can provide, even if limited. This shows local ownership and commitment to the project.

5. Align with Geographic Priorities

While ACN works in 137 countries, understanding their current strategic focus can strengthen applications. Dr. Caroline Hull has highlighted priority areas including Syria, Ukraine, the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger), Nigeria, Pakistan, China, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern countries where Christians face persecution or serious pastoral challenges.

6. Complete and Accurate Documentation

For construction projects, ensure all documentation is complete: land ownership proof, building permits, architectural plans, and detailed cost estimates. Incomplete applications may delay decisions or result in rejection.

7. Provide Context Through Photos and Testimonies

While optional, ACN states that “photos and testimonies from the local Church are highly appreciated.” Visual documentation helps reviewers understand the situation and assess need.

8. Submit Well in Advance

For time-sensitive projects like formation courses or pastoral programs, submit requests at least 3 months before activities begin to allow for the minimum 18-week decision period.

Examples of Funded Projects

Ukraine Support (2024):

• $9.1 million in assistance including trauma counseling and support
• Basic subsistence for priests and religious
• Seminary training support
• Essential heating for winter
• Transport for pastoral ministry

Africa Projects:

• Support for 5,305 seminarians across the continent
• Construction of churches and seminaries in persecution-affected areas
• Vehicles for pastoral work in remote regions (bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles)
• Mass stipends for priests in poverty

Liberia Focus (2024):

• Year-long UK fundraising campaign
• Comprehensive support across multiple project types
• UK staff visit to project partners

Middle East (Syria and Lebanon):

• Church reconstruction in conflict-affected areas
• Support for Christians to remain in their homeland
• Emergency assistance for displaced communities

Common Challenges to Avoid

• Insufficient pastoral justification: Projects that appear primarily social/developmental without clear pastoral purpose
• Missing ecclesiastical approval: Applications without proper bishop/superior endorsement
• Incomplete construction documentation: Missing permits, plans, or land ownership proof
• Individual priest applications for Mass stipends: Must come through proper channels (bishops/superiors)
• Projects where Church doesn't own land: Construction funding requires Church land ownership
• Inadequate financial planning: Unclear local contribution or financing plan

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on pastoral mission: Frame your project in terms of evangelization, spiritual support, and the Church's pastoral work rather than social/development outcomes
• Secure ecclesiastical endorsement early: Work with your bishop or religious superior from the outset; their written approval is mandatory
• Understand the international structure: The UK office raises funds and provides guidance, but all applications and decisions are handled through Königstein, Germany
• Demonstrate persecution or pastoral need: ACN prioritizes communities facing persecution, oppression, or serious pastoral challenges; clearly articulate the urgency of your situation
• Plan for a 3+ month timeline: Build this into your project planning, especially for time-sensitive programs
• Show local ownership: Even small local contributions demonstrate community commitment and strengthen applications
• Research current priorities: Review ACN's annual reports and publications (available at acnuk.org) to understand current geographic and thematic focus areas
• Provide comprehensive documentation: Complete all required forms and supporting documents; incomplete applications cause delays

References

1. Aid to the Church in Need UK website - www.acnuk.org
2. ACN International website - https://acninternational.org/
3. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1097984, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/4000664
4. “Aid to the Church in Need spent $150 million helping Christians globally in 2024, report finds” - Catholic News Agency, https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264835/
5. “$150.4 million to help Christians in need in 137 countries in 2024” - ACN US, https://www.churchinneed.org/150-4-million-to-help-christians-in-need-in-137-countries-in-2024/
6. “ACN to focus on Middle East, Sahel and Latin America in 2024” - ACN International, https://acninternational.org/acn-to-focus-on-middle-east-sahel-and-latin-america-in-2024/
7. “How to apply” - ACN International, https://acninternational.org/apply-for-aid/how/
8. “Aid to the Church in Need appoints new UK director” - Catholic Herald, https://thecatholicherald.com/aid-to-the-church-in-need-appoints-new-uk-director/
9. Aid to the Church in Need - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aid_to_the_Church_in_Need
10. “Pope declares Aid to Church in Need a pontifical foundation” - Catholic News Agency, https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/23913/