Church Urban Fund is a national charity working with local leaders, churches and other faith groups all over England. Our local partners are committed to serving and strengthening the community where they live.

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The breadth of funding streams potentially available for your project

Note: Many of these funders flow in and out of funding so it will be necessary to check directly to see if they are currently open to applications.

 Youth Work Project

• National Lottery Funding – Flexible, supports salaries, equipment, and community-led youth projects.
• The Childs Charitable Trust– Supports Christian organisations sharing the gospel, including youth work.
• John James Charitable Trust – Supports Christian education and youth ministry.
• The Cinnamon Network – Offers micro-grants for churches starting youth-focused projects.
• Laing Family Trusts – Support Christian youth initiatives, including capital improvements.
• Joseph Rank Trust – Supports youth-focused Christian projects and church property improvements.
• Garfield Weston Foundation - Garfield Weston Foundation funding youth work.

Community Outreach Project

• National Lottery Funding– Strong fit for community-led outreach, especially in disadvantaged areas.
• Benefact Trust – Supports projects with community impact and Christian ethos.
• MB Reckitt Trust – Funds Christian social action and community cohesion.
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust – Supports innovative social projects that promote human flourishing.
• The Bishop Radford Trust – Supports Christian ministry with community impact.

 Mental Health Support Project

• National Lottery Funding– Supports mental health initiatives, especially in underserved communities.
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust – Funds pioneering social and medical projects.
• Benefact Trust – Supports projects tackling social issues, including mental health.
• Joseph Rank Trust – May support if framed within practical and spiritual needs.
• MB Reckitt Trust – Supports Christian social thought and action, including mental health.
• The Bishop Radford Trust – Supports Christian ministry, including pastoral care.

Funders that May Support Equipment (with the right framing):

• Benefact Trust – Typically funds capital projects, so if the equipment is part of a building upgrade or a tangible, lasting asset, it may be eligible.
• Biffa Award– Focuses on building improvements, but may include fixtures and fittings (e.g. kitchen equipment, heating systems).
• National Lottery Funding– Very flexible and can fund equipment, especially if it supports community benefit.
• Joseph Rank Trust– May support equipment if it’s part of a broader Christian community or educational project.
• Laing Family Trusts– Could support equipment if it’s essential to a Christian youth or community initiative.
• The Cinnamon Network – Their £2,000 micro-grants could be used for small-scale equipment needs tied to a recommended project.

 Possibly Suitable for Salaries or Staff Costs

• The Childs Charitable Trust – Supports Christian organisations sharing the gospel; may fund staff if aligned with mission.
• The Cinnamon Network – Offers micro-grants (£2,000) for churches starting recommended projects, which could include staffing.
• John James Charitable Trust – Supports individuals in ministry training and Christian education; may support youth workers if aligned.
• Slavanka Trust – Supports Christian ministry and education, possibly including staffing.
• The Bishop Radford Trust – Supports Christian ministry broadly; may include staffing.
• Benefact Trust - This is another fairly funders which can support salaries for community-based projects.

Building Renovation Project

• Biffa Award – Excellent for community building renovations; must meet location criteria and provide 10% match funding.
• Benefact Trust – Funds capital projects with Christian ethos and community impact.
• Joseph Rank Trust – Supports church property improvements for community use.
• Laing Family Trusts – Fund capital improvements for Christian organisations.
• John James Charitable Trust – May support building improvements for Christian youth work.

 Funders Likely to Offer 100% Funding

• National Lottery Funding flexible and equity-based; can fund full project costs including salaries, equipment, and delivery.
• The Childs Charitable Trust No mention of match funding; supports Christian organisations sharing the gospel.
• The Cinnamon Network offers fixed micro-grants (£2,000); no match funding required.
• John James Charitable Trust supports individuals and organisations; no match funding mentioned.
• Sir Halley Stewart Trust focuses on innovative projects; no match funding requirement stated.
• Slavanka Trust supports Christian ministry and education; no match funding mentioned.
• Saltley trust funds Christian learning and education; no match funding requirement noted.
• The Bishop Radford Trust supports Christian ministry; no indication of match funding needed.
• MB Reckitt Trust Funds Christian social thought and action; no match funding required.

Funders That Require or Prefer Match Funding

• · Biffa Award requires a 10% third-party contribution. This is a strict condition for eligibility.
• · Benefact Trust typically funds only a small percentage of the total project cost to support more causes. Match funding is expected.
• · Joseph Rank Trust While not explicitly stated, they often fund part of a project and expect applicants to have other sources of funding.
• · Laing Family Trusts may not fund 100% of a project; co-funding is often expected, especially for capital projects