The Friends Of Kent Churches

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £130,000+
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available (approximately 25 churches funded annually)
• Decision Time: 2-8 months (depending on application cycle)
• Grant Range: No specified minimum or maximum (typically under £25,000)
• Geographic Focus: Kent (pre-1965 boundaries) and parts of South East London (Bexley and Bromley)

Contact Details

Website: www.friendsofkentchurches.co.uk

Email: janebird01@gmail.com

Phone: 01622 815569

Grants Secretary: Contact via email for fastest response to grant inquiries

Overview

Founded in 1949, The Friends of Kent Churches is a registered charity (No. 207021) run entirely by volunteers and dedicated to preserving Kent's ecclesiastical heritage. The organization distributes grants to approximately 25 churches each year, totaling more than £130,000 annually. With total income of £214,340 (2024), the charity is supported by 14 trustees and 70 volunteers. Grant funding principally comes from the annual Ride & Stride fundraising event (which raised £151,018 in 2024 and has generated over £4.2 million since inception) and from legacies and member donations. The organization's mission focuses on maintaining churches of architectural merit or historic importance within Kent's pre-1965 boundaries, ensuring they remain in good condition and continue in active use as places of worship open to the public.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Grant Programme: No specified minimum or maximum (typically under £25,000)

• Applications considered twice yearly via fixed deadlines
• Grants offered at Executive Committee meetings in January and July
• Grant offers initially valid for two years and may be withdrawn if projects do not proceed

Priority Areas

Structural and Fabric Maintenance:

• Fabric maintenance and repairs
• Windows restoration and repair
• Floors and monuments (in some circumstances)

Fixed Facilities (where a small grant will make a significant contribution to keeping a church in use):

• Heating systems
• Electrical rewiring
• Disabled access improvements
• Security installations
• Kitchens and toilets
• Paths, steps, and handrails in churchyards necessary for church access

What They Don't Fund

• Work that has already started
• Reordering projects
• Redecorating (unless directly necessitated by grantable work)
• Major new facilities projects
• Bells, clocks, and organs
• Churchyard walls (except for historically significant monuments and access improvements)

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Governance and Leadership

Patrons

• The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
• The Rt Rev Michael Turnbull CBE DL
• The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent
• The Lady Kingsdown

President

• Mrs Sarah Bracher MBE

Vice Presidents

• Hon Mrs Jennifer Raikes
• Mr Paul Smallwood

Executive Committee (Trustees)

• Sir Paul Britton - Chairman
• Mrs Mary Gibbins - Vice Chairman
• Mrs Jane Bird MA FIA - Treasurer
• Mrs Rosemary Dymond
• Mr Ray Hart
• Dr Susan Hooper
• Mr Richard Latham
• Ven Peter Lock
• Mr Simon Evans
• Mr Paul Wallace
• Mrs Margaret Williams

Non-Trustee Committee Members

• Mrs Carolyne Sullivan - Honorary Secretary
• Mrs Liz Betts - Membership Secretary
• Mr John Ellis
• Mr Jonathan Carey

The organization operates with no paid staff; all trustees serve without remuneration or benefits.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Deadlines: May 1st and November 1st

Submission Method: Email preferred (to Grants Secretary), otherwise by post

Required Documentation:

• Official FKC Grant Application Form (available as PDF or Word document from website)
• Most recent audited church accounts
• Accounts from related organizations whose primary purpose involves church maintenance
• Optional: photographs, brief summaries, or other explanatory materials

Important Note: The organization states that “detailed costings and building consents etc are not required” at application stage, though firm quotations strengthen applications.

Early Submission Encouraged: The charity recommends submitting applications “as soon as they are ready” rather than waiting for the deadline, and advises giving the secretary advance warning of applications near the deadline.

Decision Timeline

Review Process:

1. Applications submitted by May 1st or November 1st deadlines
2. Grants Secretary reviews and may contact applicants to discuss the work and funding needs
3. June and December/January: Grants subcommittee evaluates applications
4. July and January: Executive Committee approves final grant offers
5. Applicants notified of results after Executive Committee meetings

Total Timeline: Approximately 2 months from May deadline to July decision, or 2-3 months from November deadline to January decision. Earlier submission within the cycle is encouraged.

Site Visits: The organization conducts site visits to evaluate projects and assess financial situations.

Success Rates

The organization funds approximately 25 churches per year. Total application numbers are not publicly available, so a precise success rate cannot be calculated. However, given the specialized nature of church conservation grants and the geographic limitation, the pool of eligible applicants is relatively focused.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented on the website. Contact the Grants Secretary for guidance on unsuccessful applications and reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

Financial Need Assessment: The organization emphasizes understanding “the true need” and assessing genuine financial requirements. Site visits are conducted to evaluate both the project and the church's financial situation.

Architectural and Historical Merit: Applications are assessed on “architectural merit or historic interest.” The charity seeks to understand the significance of the work proposed.

Contribution to Church Use: For facilities grants (heating, toilets, kitchens, etc.), the key criterion is “where a small grant will make a significant contribution to keeping a church in use.” Demonstrate how the grant will enable continued regular services and public access.

Regulatory Compliance: All necessary approvals must be obtained before work begins. Anglican churches need a faculty or archdeacon's certificate. Ensure all regulatory requirements are in place.

Membership Requirement: The church must become a member of Friends of Kent Churches if not already a member.

Firm Quotations: While detailed costings are not required at application stage, firm quotations help strengthen applications by demonstrating realistic project planning.

Post-Grant Obligations: Successful applicants must display FKC posters and membership forms upon completion, and acknowledge the grant in the parish magazine, crediting FKC and describing their 70-year mission to preserve Kent's churches.

Payment Process: Payment is made upon project completion or when an architect's certificate confirms work exceeding the grant value has been completed.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply early within the cycle - Don't wait for the deadline; submit as soon as ready and give advance notice to the Grants Secretary
• Emphasize architectural/historical significance - Clearly articulate the heritage value of the church and specific features requiring conservation
• Demonstrate financial need and careful planning - Provide clear evidence of genuine need; firm quotations strengthen applications even though detailed costings aren't required
• Focus on keeping churches in use - Particularly for facilities grants, show how the work enables continued regular worship and public access
• Ensure regulatory compliance - Have faculty or archdeacon's certificate in place (for Anglican churches) before work begins
• Consider the grant as a contribution - Grants typically represent a portion of total project costs; demonstrate how “a small grant will make a significant contribution”
• Be ready for site visits and discussions - The Grants Secretary reviews applications and typically contacts applicants to discuss projects; be prepared to provide additional context and answer questions

References

• Friends of Kent Churches official website: https://friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/
• Grants information: https://friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/grants/
• Application guidance: https://friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/grants/applying-for-a-grant/
• Trustees and leadership: https://friendsofkentchurches.co.uk/about-us/trustees-patrons/
• Charity Commission register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=207021
• Funding for All directory: https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/friends-of-kent-churches/
• Kent Ride & Stride website: https://www.kentrideandstride.co.uk/
• National Churches Trust directory: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/friends-kent-churches

All information.