Council of Lutheran Churches
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. Don't spend time on an approach; the similar funders below support the same kind of work.
Key takeaways
- The Council's Small Grants are open only to member churches and other Lutheran groups in Great Britain, so a group outside that circle should look elsewhere, and its Theology and Religious Studies Grant goes to individuals rather than organisations.
- The Council does not accept unsolicited requests, so start by emailing accounts@lutheran.org.uk for information before preparing anything.
- The median grant is £5,000 and about 8 in 10 grants to organisations fall between £1,500 and £28,000, while Small Grants go up to £5,000, so a request near that level fits.
- The annual report says most grants cover operational costs, which suits a request for running costs better than one for capital items.
- Because giving is by invitation, the approach is likely to be relationship-led, and its published information says nothing about timing or how many applicants compete.
Overview
Council of Lutheran Churches is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 232042).
The Council of Lutheran Churches exists to further the work of all Lutheran churches in the UK, providing spiritual and material assistance to Lutheran churches and projects that are not self-supporting. It began as a response to the needs of Lutheran refugee clergy following World War II. Its annual report records £133,417 paid in grants in the most recent reporting period. It currently offers small grants to member churches and other UK-based Lutheran groups, and a grant for those engaged in Lutheran theological studies.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Council's Small Grants support member churches and other Lutheran groups in Great Britain, meeting varied needs from pastor support to community projects. The Council describes its wider work as providing spiritual and material assistance to Lutheran churches and projects, alongside fellowship and cooperation in education, mission and worship. It also offers a Theology and Religious Studies Grant for individuals engaged in academic study or ministerial formation in theology, religious studies, pastoral care or diaconia, to strengthen theological education, especially Lutheran studies, for member churches, chaplaincy, ecumenical partnerships and wider society. Its report says most grants support operational costs, with some one-off events engaging a wider community; it also records grants and gifts in kind to member churches and grants and donations to others unaffiliated with the Council.
Themes
- Lutheran church support
- Community projects
- Theological studies
Geographic Focus
Great Britain.
What they don't fund
- Small Grants only: organisations other than our member churches and other Lutheran groups in Great Britain
- CLC Theology and Religious Studies Grant only:
- organisations
- the grant supports individuals
- academic studies and/or ministerial formation outside theology, religious studies, pastoral care, or diaconia
How to apply
For a Small Grant, contact accounts@lutheran.org.uk for information or to obtain or submit a grant application.
Who can apply:
- Small Grants: Member churches and other Lutheran groups in Great Britain
What to send:
- CLC Theology and Religious Studies Grant
- A curriculum vitae (CV).
- Academic records from previous studies (e.g. transcript, diploma, or certificate).
- Information about the desired programme of study, including the title, level (e.g. Master’s, PhD, diploma, short course), institution, duration, and expected start date.
- Details of their church or chaplaincy affiliation, and their connection with the CLC and/or its member churches.
- An endorsement letter from a relevant person (e.g. pastor, chaplain, church leader).
- Confirmation of enrolment before grant disbursement.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to Council of Lutheran Churches.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 17 grants in year to 31 December 2025 by size
Median £5,000 (year to 31 December 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in this funder’s latest annual report:
- Lutheran Church in Great Britain · Capacity building / administration support£37,780year to 31 December 2025
- Lutheran Church in Great Britain · Bishop, Dean and Bishop's Assistant£27,810year to 31 December 2025
- Lutheran Church in Great Britain · Support for pastors£26,502year to 31 December 2025
- Lutheran Church in Great Britain · Chaplaincy Nottingham and Leeds£16,995year to 31 December 2025
- Bethphage£10,000year to 31 December 2025
- Icelandic Church£8,518year to 31 December 2025
- Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in GB · Travel and premises for services£5,500year to 31 December 2025
- Estonian Church£5,000year to 31 December 2025
Grant examples taken from the funder’s filed accounts. Not included above: 1 line covering other, unnamed recipients (£3,100).
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £406,371 | £602,918 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £425,678 | £618,522 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £437,717 | £690,521 | — | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £907,325 | £809,213 | £200,221 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £560,670 | £771,577 | £133,417 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
Grants paid stayed within income across the 2 years shown.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2025: grants paid out in the year.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- lutheran.org.uk
- lutheran.org.uk/small-grants · read on 30 October 2026
- lutheran.org.uk/about-us · read on 30 October 2026
- lutheran.org.uk/theology-grant · read on 30 October 2026
- lutheran.org.uk/how-we-support · read on 30 October 2026
- lutheran.org.uk/grants · read on 30 October 2026
- lutheran.org.uk/contact-us · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 December 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to Council of Lutheran Churches?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 020 8051 2676source
- accounts@lutheran.org.uksource
- Ground Floor, Trident House, 46-48 Webber Street, London SE1 8QWsource
- lutheran.org.uk
Applying to Council of Lutheran Churches?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- 020 8051 2676source
- accounts@lutheran.org.uksource
- Ground Floor, Trident House, 46-48 Webber Street, London SE1 8QWsource
- lutheran.org.uk