The Dorset Historic Churches Trust
Charity Number: 282790
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Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: £150,000-£184,000
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Not specified
- Grant Range: Average £2,571 (recent 5 years)
- Geographic Focus: Administrative County of Dorset
Contact Details
- Website: www.dhct.org.uk
- Email: jeremyselfe@hotmail.com
- Phone: 01305 852138
Overview
The Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT) is a registered charity (282790) dedicated to the preservation of Christian churches and chapels of all denominations throughout the administrative County of Dorset. Since its establishment, the Trust has awarded over 1,023 grants totaling £2,690,270 to support the maintenance and preservation of Dorset's historic churches. The Trust focuses on keeping churches in satisfactory condition to serve both community and spiritual purposes, with particular attention to churches facing challenges from diminishing congregations. In 2025, DHCT aims to award £150,000 in grants to support church preservation projects across the county.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Trust offers preservation grants averaging £2,571 based on recent five-year data. In recent years, they have awarded approximately 30 grants annually totaling £183,800.
Priority Areas
- Preservation of church fabric and contents
- Roof repairs and structural maintenance
- Supporting churches with diminishing congregations
- Maintaining churches for community and spiritual use
- Preserving churches of all Christian denominations
What They Don't Fund
Information not available from current sources.
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Governance and Leadership
The Trust is led by Chairman His Honour David Grant. DHCT works in partnership with the National Churches Trust to support church preservation efforts across Dorset.
Application Process and Timeline
How to Apply
Specific application procedures are available through the Trust's website at www.dhct.org.uk. Churches seeking grants should contact the Trust directly for application guidance.
Decision Timeline
Specific decision timelines not publicly available.
Success Rates
While the Trust has made over 1,023 grants historically, current success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed.
Reapplication Policy
Information on reapplication policies not available from current sources.
Application Success Factors
Based on the Trust's funding history and priorities, successful applications likely demonstrate:
- Clear preservation needs for church fabric or contents
- Community benefit alongside spiritual purposes
- Projects that help maintain churches facing sustainability challenges
- Alignment with DHCT's mission to preserve churches of all denominations across Dorset
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- DHCT focuses exclusively on Christian churches and chapels within Dorset's administrative boundaries
- The Trust has a strong track record with over £2.6 million distributed through 1,023+ grants
- Average grants of approximately £2,571 suggest funding for specific preservation projects rather than large-scale renovations
- The Trust particularly values supporting churches with diminishing congregations
- Partnership with National Churches Trust may indicate alignment with broader church preservation standards
- Annual giving target of £150,000 suggests multiple grant rounds throughout the year
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References
- Dorset Historic Churches Trust official website (www.dhct.org.uk) -
- Trust overview and mission statement from dhct.org.uk
- Grant statistics and funding history from Trust website