Funds for Historic Buildings

The Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust makes grants to charities and churches in Kent with the aim of improving the quality of life for local people.

The Kent-wide Church Repair Grants programme makes grants to support the fabric and maintenance of churches anywhere in Kent and where possible to encourage their long-term sustainability.  [Note: The major Church Awards programme has now closed with the introduction in 2008 of this programme.]

Any Christian church within the county of Kent, whether listed or unlisted, is welcome to apply so long as it is formally constituted.  All appplications should be made by the body with legal responsibility for the building.

Grants will be awarded to Kent churches of historical, architectural or community significance where there is proven need for funding for repair and maintenance of the building. 

Work that may be funded includes:
•  work carried out to repair or maintain church buildings;
•  repair work to foundations, walls, roofs, rainwater goods, drainage, internal surfaces, floors, stairs, landings, lightning conductors and all doors and windows;
•  services supplied in connection with the repair work, such as plumbing, electrical etc, and other building services such as scaffolding.

Churches must demonstrate that their building or the activities that take place within it, are of importance to Kent.  They will also need to demonstrate that they have plans for their sustainability.

The Trust will not fund churches in private ownership, new facilities and re-ordering, redecoration (other than arising as a result of repairs), adaptations to toilets / kitchens or car parks.

Between £10,000 and £25,000.

Applications must be submitted using the Trust's online application form.

Guidance material is available from the Trust's website.

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis, usually within 6 months.  All applicants will receive a letter informing them of the outcome as soon as it has been determined.

Applications can be submitted at any time up till the early part of 2010.

David Williams, Administrator

The Trust regrets that the number of applications in relation to the limited funds available is so large that many good proposals, even though they fit its priorities, still have to be turned down.

Exceptional Grants: Very occasionally the trust will make grants outside of Kent for projects of major national or international significance. However, these are exceptional and are not part of the application form process. Only six such grants have been made over the last ten years. Applicants wishing to be considered for one of these grants should write to the Clerk explaining briefly (on one side of A4) the nature of the project, indicating clearly that they are applying for an Exceptional Grant. Applicants will be asked to supply detailed information if the Trustees wish to take the application further.