Congregational And General Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £576,000 (2020 figures)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Within 5 working days after quarterly meetings
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man
• Maximum Project Cost: Up to 25% of total project costs

Contact Details

Website: www.candgtrust.org.uk

Email: Enquiries@candgtrust.org.uk (General), admin@candgtrust.org.uk (Applications)

Phone: 07717744089

Charity Number: 297013

Overview

The Congregational and General Charitable Trust, incorporated on 24 March 1987, is an independent grant-making charity dedicated to supporting churches, particularly those of the United Reformed and Congregational denominations, in the provision and repair of suitable buildings. During 2020, the Trust funded over 40 churches with grants totalling £576,000. The Trust recently increased its maximum grant level from £10,000 to £25,000, demonstrating a commitment to providing more substantial support to churches undertaking capital projects. The Trust distributes up to £290,000 towards approved projects each quarter across its four annual decision rounds. Its mission extends to promoting the Christian religion, with particular focus on the United Reformed and Congregational denominations and other churches within the Protestant tradition.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Church Building Projects: £1,000 - £25,000 for capital projects involving repairs, improvements, or extensions
• Applications reviewed quarterly via email-only submission
• Maximum 25% of total project cost, to the nearest £100
• Rolling quarterly deadlines in March, June, September, and December

• Church Community Projects: £1,000 - £25,000 for capital costs only (not ongoing work)
• Supports initiatives such as dementia groups, youth clubs, food banks, and breakfast clubs
• Must use church buildings and align with the Trust's charitable objectives

Priority Areas

The Trust actively funds:

• Building maintenance and repairs: Damaged roofs, dry rot and water ingress, window repairs, lighting and heating systems
• Accessibility improvements: Disability access, disability toilets, entrance ramps
• Community-enabling facilities: Kitchen and toilet facilities that support wider community use
• Grade 1 and 2 listed church properties: Preservation and upkeep of historic church buildings
• Projects benefiting the wider community: Even if unlikely to increase congregation, provided overall aims of the Trust are met
• Professional advice costs: Architects, Quantity Surveyors, and Site Management costs can be included in total project costs

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

• Projects outside the UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man
• Projects exceeding £1 million (including small parts of such larger projects)
• Ongoing work or running costs of churches
• Conservation/restoration of works of art
• Graveyard maintenance
• Manse works
• Organ and church bells restoration
• Church grounds work (except access-related improvements such as entrance ramps)

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Governance and Leadership

The Congregational and General Charitable Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees who meet quarterly to review grant applications. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity, demonstrating a commitment to maximizing funds available for grant-making. The charity does not have any trading subsidiaries. The Trust operates under memorandum and articles of association, amended by special resolutions in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2007. The charity's reporting to the Charity Commission is up to date and on time.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Email only to admin@candgtrust.org.uk

Required Documentation:

• Completed application form (fully filled out including date and signature sections)
• Latest audited accounts, including balance sheet (must relate directly to the applicant)
• Supporting documents for estimated project costs (contractors' quotes and reports)
• Total application pack limited to 10 pages maximum

Optional Supporting Documents:

• Appeal leaflets
• Project literature

Important Notes:

• The Trust will not process applications without required supporting documents
• Submit at the earliest opportunity before the quarterly deadline
• Completed applications must be received no later than 10:00 AM on the closing date
• Only partially answered questions or incomplete project descriptions may prevent the application from proceeding

Decision Timeline

Quarterly Review Meetings: March, June, September, and December

Notification Timeline: Within 5 working days following each quarterly review meeting

Communication: The Trust acknowledges initial receipt via email and informs applicants of the decision outcome via email

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. Historical data shows:

• 2020: Over 40 churches funded with grants totalling £576,000
• 2017: 51 churches awarded grants totalling £333,000
• 2015: 42 grants awarded totalling just under £120,000

The Trust distributes up to £290,000 per quarter, indicating substantial grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

For Successful Applicants: Another application cannot be submitted until a period of 2 years has passed from the original grant approval date. This applies even if the grant was only recently claimed.

For Unsuccessful Applicants: The Trust's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the Trust directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from the Funder

The Trust encourages churches to “take professional advice (e.g. Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Site Management) in preparing for and undertaking building projects”, and these costs can be included in total project costs when applying for a grant.

Application Quality Requirements

• Complete all sections: The Trust emphasizes that applications must be fully completed, including date and signature sections. Partially answered questions or incomplete project descriptions may prevent processing.
• 10-page limit: Limit the application pack to 10 pages total to support the efficient review process.
• Clear cost justification: Attach contractors' quotes and reports to support estimated project costs.
• Financial transparency: Provide latest audited accounts including balance sheet that relate directly to the applicant organization.

Project Types Recently Funded

Examples of supported projects include:

• Damaged roof repairs and water ingress issues
• Disability access improvements and toilet facilities
• Window repairs
• Lighting and heating system upgrades
• Youth clubs, food banks, and breakfast clubs (capital costs)
• Dementia groups using church facilities

Standing Out

• Community benefit: Projects can benefit the wider community even if they are unlikely to increase congregation size, provided they meet the overall aims of the Trust.
• Denomination alignment: While primarily supporting United Reformed and Congregational churches, other Protestant tradition churches are also considered. Clearly state your denominational affiliation.
• Capital vs. ongoing costs: Clearly distinguish capital costs from ongoing operational costs, as only capital projects are eligible.
• Project scale: Projects should be appropriately scaled (under £1 million total) and the grant request should be realistic (maximum 25% of project cost, up to £25,000).

Language and Terminology

Use language that emphasizes:

• Capital projects and building work (repairs, improvements, extensions)
• Wider community benefit beyond the immediate congregation
• Preservation and sustainable long-term use for worship and community purposes
• Protestant tradition and specific denominational identity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is strategic: With four quarterly deadlines, plan submissions well in advance of the 10:00 AM cutoff and submit at the earliest opportunity.
• Documentation is critical: Incomplete applications or missing supporting documents will prevent processing. Ensure all required documents are included and keep within the 10-page limit.
• Professional advice is valued: Include professional input (architects, surveyors) in project planning, and incorporate these costs into your total project budget.
• Think capital, not operational: The Trust only funds one-off capital projects for building work or equipment, never ongoing operational costs or running expenses.
• Quick feedback loop: With decisions communicated within 5 working days of quarterly meetings, applicants receive timely responses.
• Increased capacity: The recent increase in maximum grant from £10,000 to £25,000 signals the Trust's enhanced capacity to support larger projects.
• Community-focused projects succeed: Emphasize how building improvements will enable wider community use and benefit beyond worship services.

References

• UK Charity Commission Register of Charities. “Congregational and General Charitable Trust - Charity 297013.” Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/297013/full-print (Accessed: 2025)
• Congregational and General Charitable Trust official website. “Funding Guidance.” Available at: https://www.candgtrust.org.uk/guidance (Accessed: 2025)
• Congregational and General Charitable Trust official website. “How to Apply.” Available at: https://www.candgtrust.org.uk/apply (Accessed: 2025)
• Congregational Federation. “Congregational and General Charitable Trust.” Available at: https://www.congregational.org.uk/buildings-and-property/cgt (Accessed: 2025)
• Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVO). “The Congregational and General Charitable Trust.” Available at: https://www.pavo.org.uk/help-for-organisations/funding/funding-news/article/news/the-congregational-and-general-charitable-trust.html (Accessed: 2025)
• Funding for All. “The Congregational and General Charitable Trust.” Available at: https://www.fundingforall.org.uk/funds/the-congregational-and-general-charitable-trust/ (Accessed: 2025)
• National Churches Trust. “Congregational and General Charitable Trust.” Available at: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/get-support/support-organisations/congregational (Accessed: 2025)