Welsh Church Act Fund Within The Areas Of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend And Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Councils

Charity Number: 506658

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £523,000 (2023/24 expenditure)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Variable - rolling applications reviewed as received
  • Grant Range: £3,000 - £50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend, and Merthyr Tydfil county boroughs

Contact Details

General Enquiries:

  • Phone: 01443 281124
  • Email: regeneration@rctcbc.gov.uk

Financial/Treasury Enquiries:

  • Phone: 01443 680734
  • Email: treasurymanagement@rctcbc.gov.uk

Address: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, 1 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd, CF37 4TH

Charity Number: 506658

Overview

The Welsh Church Act Fund was established in 1920 following the disestablishment of the Church in Wales under the Welsh Church Act 1914. The fund originated from the assets and proceeds transferred from the Church of England in Wales to local authorities. Previously known as the Mid Glamorgan Welsh Church Fund, it was reorganized in 1996 when Welsh local government restructured. The fund is an independent charitable trust administered by Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council on behalf of all three county boroughs. With total income of £365,000 and expenditure of £523,000 in 2023/24, the fund primarily supports capital projects for churches, chapels, community buildings, and charitable organizations that provide long-term benefits to local communities. The fund operates on a rolling basis, accepting applications year-round.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund offers three tiers of capital grants based on project scale:

Standard - Small Grants: Up to £3,000

  • No match funding required (0% contribution)
  • For smaller capital projects and equipment purchases

Standard - Medium Grants: Up to £15,000

  • Minimum 10% match funding required
  • For moderate refurbishment and capital equipment projects

Significant - Large Grants: Up to £50,000

  • Minimum 20% match funding required
  • Must enable organizations to provide new or expanded services/activities for the community
  • For major capital projects with significant community impact

Application Method: Rolling program with no set deadlines. Fully developed applications can be submitted at any time, though there is no guarantee of success.

Priority Areas

Eligible Capital Expenditure:

  • Refurbishment of community buildings or places of worship
  • Purchase of capital equipment for community benefit
  • Repair and restoration of historic religious and secular buildings
  • Other capital purposes beneficial to the wider community

Beneficiary Groups:

  • People with disabilities
  • Children and young people
  • Elderly people
  • General community benefit

Activity Areas Supported:

  • Religious activities and places of worship
  • Education and training
  • Arts, culture, and heritage
  • Environment, conservation, and heritage
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Amateur sport
  • Hobbies and cultural activities
  • Medical and educational purposes

What They Don't Fund

Ineligible Organizations:

  • Organizations licensed to sell alcohol or holding club premises certificates
  • Entities operating from residential addresses
  • Statutory bodies, including town and community councils
  • Revenue/running costs (capital expenditure only)
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Governance and Leadership

The fund is governed by 4 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The fund operates under a scheme dated January 9, 1976, established under Section 19 of the Welsh Church Act 1914. Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council administers the fund on behalf of all three partner councils (RCT, Bridgend, and Merthyr Tydfil).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application Phase:

  • Contact the Regeneration Team for guidance before applying
  • Ensure your organization has appropriate governance documents (constitution)
  • Confirm your organization is constituted as a community group or charity
  • Verify you are not operating from a residential address and do not hold alcohol licenses

Application Submission:

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis at any time
  • No fixed deadlines
  • Must be “fully developed applications” - ensure project plans are complete before submitting
  • Contact: regeneration@rctcbc.gov.uk or 01443 281124

Application Review Process:

  • Council conducts internal eligibility checks with planning and licensing departments
  • For applications in Bridgend or Merthyr Tydfil areas, applications are coordinated with partner authorities
  • Applications are assessed and approved by trustees
  • Payment processing follows approval

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Typical processing involves multiple stages including eligibility checks, coordination with partner councils (where applicable), trustee review, and payment processing. Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed, but similar Welsh Church Act Funds across Wales typically meet twice yearly to review applications.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The fund spent £523,000 in 2023/24 against an income of £365,000, indicating active grant-making activity.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated. Contact the Regeneration Team for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors:

  • Capital Projects Only: This fund exclusively supports capital expenditure. Do not apply for running costs, salaries, or operational expenses.
  • Community Benefit: Projects must demonstrate “long term direct benefit to residents and communities” and be “open to members of the public at large.”
  • Match Funding: For grants over £3,000, ensure you can demonstrate secured match funding (10% for medium grants, 20% for large grants).
  • Geographic Focus: Your organization must operate within Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend, or Merthyr Tydfil county boroughs.

Process Tips:

  • Develop your application fully before submitting - incomplete applications may not be considered
  • Seek pre-application guidance from the Regeneration Team - they can advise on eligibility and strengthen your application
  • Ensure compliance checks are clear - verify planning permissions and licensing status before applying
  • For projects in Bridgend or Merthyr Tydfil, be aware that coordination with partner councils will be required

Strong Application Elements:

  • Clear demonstration of community benefit and public access
  • Well-developed project plans with realistic budgets
  • Evidence of match funding secured (for medium and large grants)
  • Projects that refurbish or restore community buildings and places of worship
  • Applications from constituted groups with proper governance structures

Consider the Fund's Heritage:

  • The fund originated from the disestablishment of the Church in Wales, so religious buildings remain a priority
  • However, the fund has evolved to support broader community purposes including cultural, medical, educational, and recreational projects
  • Emphasize how your project serves the wider community beyond a single organization

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital-only funding: This fund exclusively supports capital projects (buildings, equipment) - not operational costs. Structure your application accordingly.
  • Three clear tiers: Choose the appropriate grant tier for your project scale and ensure you can meet match funding requirements (none for under £3,000, 10% for up to £15,000, 20% for up to £50,000).
  • Rolling applications work in your favor: No deadline pressure means you can submit when your project is truly ready, but ensure applications are fully developed before submission.
  • Pre-application contact is valuable: The Regeneration Team offers guidance - use this resource to strengthen your application and confirm eligibility before investing time in a full application.
  • Community benefit is central: Repeatedly emphasize long-term community benefit and public access in your application - these are explicitly stated priorities.
  • Historic buildings are a sweet spot: Given the fund's origins, refurbishment of churches, chapels, and historic community buildings aligns strongly with the fund's purpose.
  • Multi-authority administration requires patience: For projects in Bridgend or Merthyr Tydfil, coordination across councils may extend decision timelines - plan accordingly.

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