Powys Welsh Church Fund

Charity Number: 507967

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £75,459 (income) / £194,757 (expenditure)
Success Rate: 67% (more than two-thirds of applications successful in last round)
Decision Time: Approximately 8 weeks (2 months)
Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000
Geographic Focus: Powys County, Wales

Contact Details

Administrator: Community Foundation Wales

Website: https://communityfoundationwales.org.uk/grants/powys-welsh-church-act-fund/

Phone: 1597826042

Email: grants@communityfoundationwales.org.uk

Overview

The Powys Welsh Church Fund (Charity Number 507967) was established under the Welsh Church Act 1914, which disestablished the Church of England in Wales. The Act transferred church assets and endowments to local authorities and secular purposes. Today, the fund is administered by Community Foundation Wales and provides community grants to individuals and organizations throughout Powys. With total income of £75,459 and total expenditure of £194,757 in the financial year ending March 2024, the fund demonstrates significant grant-making activity funded from historic endowments. The fund supports projects contributing to the refurbishment of religious and community buildings, as well as initiatives addressing disadvantage and providing social and recreational activities for Powys residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Stream: £1,000 - £5,000

Multi-year funding available (up to 3 years)
One-year project funding available
Small capital item funding available
Application method: Online application form via Community Foundation Wales
The fund aims to make at least one three-year grant per year

Exceptional Grants: Up to £10,000

Available in exceptional cases for support
Must demonstrate exceptional case for larger amount

Priority Areas

The fund supports:

Building Restoration: Refurbishment and upkeep of churches, chapels, and community/village halls within Powys
Historic Building Protection: Projects protecting historic buildings
Addressing Disadvantage: Organizations working to support people on low incomes, those who are sick, or disabled residents
Social and Recreational Activities: Projects providing social and recreational opportunities for Powys residents
Arts Projects: Encouraging arts and cultural activities
Capital Grants: Building furnishing and upkeep

What They Don't Fund

Retrospective funding: Grants cannot cover costs already incurred
Fundraising for other groups: Cannot support organizations fundraising on behalf of other organizations
Projects outside the fund period: Grants must be spent within one year from award date
Multiple concurrent applications: Organizations cannot have more than one grant from the same fund at the same time

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Governance and Leadership

The Powys Welsh Church Fund operates with a minimal governance structure:

Trustees: 1 trustee
Volunteers: 6 volunteers
Governance: Trust Fund governed by the Welsh Church Act 1914
Administration: Administered by Community Foundation Wales
Trustee Remuneration: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity

The fund is registered with the Charity Commission (507967) and maintains up-to-date reporting. Administration by Community Foundation Wales provides professional grant management infrastructure while maintaining the fund's historic charitable purposes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online application form available on the Community Foundation Wales website during open application windows.

Application Requirements:

Minimum 3 unrelated trustees/directors
Official financial accounts/statements
Organizational bank account in the organization's name
Active Safeguarding Policy
At least one named person responsible for safeguarding
Adequate insurance coverage

Eligibility:

Non-profit organizations including charities, Charitable Incorporated Organizations (CIOs), Community Interest Companies (CICs), social enterprises, and voluntary/community groups
Organizations based within Powys Local Authority area
Projects or activities specifically designed to serve Powys residents

Important Restriction: Organizations cannot have more than one grant from the same fund. If you currently have a grant and want to apply again, the start date of your new application must be after the end date of your current grant.

Decision Timeline

Application to Decision: Approximately 2 months (8 weeks)
Notification Method: Applicants will be notified of the outcome within two months of submission
Grant Spending Period: Grants must be spent within one year from award date

Success Rates

67% success rate - More than two-thirds of applications were successful in the last round, indicating this is a relatively accessible fund for eligible organizations with strong applications.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply to the fund, but they cannot hold concurrent grants. The start date of a new application must be after the end date of any current grant from the same fund.

Application Success Factors

Based on Community Foundation Wales guidance and the fund's priorities:

1. Demonstrate Clear Benefit to Powys Residents

The fund specifically supports projects designed to serve Powys residents. Applications should clearly articulate how the project will benefit people living in Powys County, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.

2. Address Disadvantage or Community Need

Strong applications focus on supporting people on low incomes, those who are sick, disabled residents, or providing social and recreational opportunities that address identified community needs.

3. Building and Heritage Projects

For capital projects, emphasize the community value of preserving churches, chapels, and community/village halls. Connect building restoration to ongoing community use and accessibility.

4. Complete Governance Requirements

Ensure your organization meets all governance requirements before applying: minimum 3 unrelated trustees, active safeguarding policy, appropriate insurance, and organizational bank account. These are checked against Charity Commission or Companies House records.

5. Utilize Community Foundation Wales Resources

Community Foundation Wales offers:

Video with top tips and handy hints for grant applications
Grants Toolkit to guide applicants through the process
Workshops on grant application writing
Email support at grants@communityfoundationwales.org.uk

Contact your local County Voluntary Council for support in developing your application.

6. Plan Multi-Year Funding Strategically

The fund aims to make at least one three-year grant per year. If your project would benefit from sustained multi-year support (up to 3 years), make a strong case for why longer-term funding would enhance impact.

7. Avoid Retrospective Funding

Ensure all costs in your application are for future expenditure. The fund does not provide retrospective funding for costs already incurred.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

High success rate: With 67% of applications successful, this is an accessible fund for eligible Powys-based organizations
Historic mission meets modern needs: While rooted in the Welsh Church Act 1914, the fund actively supports contemporary community needs including disadvantage, recreation, and building preservation
Multi-year opportunity: Consider applying for up to 3 years of funding if your project would benefit from sustained support
Professional support available: Leverage Community Foundation Wales resources including workshops, toolkits, and email support to strengthen your application
Governance matters: Ensure all governance requirements are met before applying - applications are checked against official registers
Plan for one-year spending: Even multi-year grants must be spent within one year from award date, so budget accordingly
Relationship with administrator: Community Foundation Wales administers multiple funds; building a relationship through one application can open doors to other funding opportunities