URC South Western Synod
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
- Speak to a Synod Pastoral Advisor before you complete an application, since the Synod advises this and its stated application method is by invitation only.
- Only United Reformed Church congregations and the ecumenical groups the Synod takes part in can receive grants, so non-URC bodies should not apply.
- Property requests also need a building survey from the past five years with urgent work planned, and a quinquennial survey shared with the Synod Property team.
- Keep your request within the stated limits, which run from up to £5,000 for small grants to up to £25,000 for large grants and Eco-Grant, though the grant range is not stated.
- From March, grants depend on the church having filled in its annual return for the current year, and a resubmitted application will only be considered if it has been substantially reworked or has new, justifiable reasons.
Overview
URC South Western Synod is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 275364).
The South Western Synod of the United Reformed Church exists to support about 100 local churches from Cornwall to Swindon. Its purpose is to advance the Christian religion for the benefit of the public in accordance with the United Reformed Church, by supporting the work of the Synod, and its primary objective is to support local churches with training, encouragement, specialist skills and financial support. Its grant making covers capital expenditure projects and Mission Projects through Enabling Grants, made on an ad hoc basis as the need arises, and it also helps churches enhance their mission activities and connect with their communities. Its latest annual report records £1,888,487 awarded in grants.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Synod’s grants support local United Reformed Church congregations and ecumenical groups in which the Synod participates. They fund capital projects and maintenance for church buildings, including surveys and improvements, alongside mission projects that enable churches to develop their work and connect with their communities. The Synod also supports greener church buildings and improvements to church audiovisual and streaming systems. Enabling support is intended for innovative mission-centred projects initiated by local churches, with the congregation involved. The Synod provides support for ecumenical activity at local and regional levels; its grants are not made to bodies outside the URC, apart from participating ecumenical groups.
Themes
- Church mission
- Church property
- Eco improvements
- Church AV systems
- Ecumenical activities
What they don't fund
- Non URC bodies other than Ecumenical Groups of which the URC SW Synod is a participant
How to apply
For Enabling Grants, complete the application form and send it with the required supporting information to the Synod Executive via the Synod Treasurer.
Who can apply:
- From March all grants will be dependent upon the church having filled out the annual return for the current year.
- Property grants
- Property grants can only be applied for provided that the church or pastorate has a Quinquennial survey for the building within the previous 5 years, and that survey has been shared with the Synod Property team.
- Before any property grant is considered, the Synod requires that a Building Survey has been completed within the previous 5 years, and that urgent work recommended in that survey has been planned.
What to send:
- Enabling Grants
- The accounts for the most recent financial year with the independent examiner’s report, or a statement of assets if this is more appropriate
- A project budget (if multiple years costs for each year)
- How this project fits into your church’s Mission priorities
- How the local congregation is involved
- For applications involving the employment of someone, a copy of the job description (which should include details of line manager and performance review process), person specification, the terms and conditions of employment and a statement on how the person(s) will be recruited.
- AV Grants: At least 2 quotes.
- Property grants: A Building Survey completed within the previous 5 years, and planning for urgent work recommended in that survey.
- Survey grants: A copy of any survey carried out.
Applying again: Enabling Grants: Resubmitted applications will not be considered unless they show substantial evidence of having been reworked or that there are new and justifiable reasons why the application should be considered again.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Applicants are advised to discuss their proposed project with a Synod Pastoral Advisor before completing an application.
- Applicants for genuine mission-oriented grants need to demonstrate the mission benefits to the church and measurable indicators of success.
- Repeat applicants need to provide evidence of the effectiveness of the expiring grant.
- For a property grant, a building survey must have been completed within the previous five years and urgent recommended work planned.
- The Synod normally requests a brief report within a year and an evaluation when the funded project is complete.
Where they fund
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to URC South Western Synod.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 December 2021 | £1,719,401 | £3,679,127 | £3,240,929 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2021 |
| year to 31 December 2022 | £1,396,397 | £735,520 | £202,788 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2022 |
| year to 31 December 2023 | £4,338,897 | £1,075,147 | £401,596 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2023 |
| year to 31 December 2024 | £1,021,909 | £1,250,227 | £444,599 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2024 |
| year to 31 December 2025 | £8,968,569 | £3,066,235 | £1,888,487 | Accounts for year to 31 December 2025 |
Income vs grants paid
IncomeGrants paid
Total value each financial year
In 1 of the 5 years shown, grants paid exceeded income.
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2021; year to 31 December 2022; year to 31 December 2023; year to 31 December 2024: grants to institutions, as reported on the charity register (Part B).
- Grants paid, year to 31 December 2025: grants awarded in the year, as reported in the accounts.
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
- urcsouthwest.org.uk/finance-resources · read on 30 October 2026
- urcsouthwest.org.uk/finance-resources/finance-documents · read on 30 October 2026
- urcsouthwest.org.uk/media/Enabling-grants-Guidance-notes-241206.pdf · read on 30 October 2026
- urcsouthwest.org.uk · read on 30 October 2026
- urcsouthwest.org.uk/property-resources · read on 30 October 2026
- urcsouthwest.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.
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to URC South Western Synod?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Applying to URC South Western Synod?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required