We support churches and other faith & community-based organisations. Our funding programme seeks to build positive and inclusive relationships between people, increase a sense of belonging and reduce isolation with the following priorities: 

• Build stronger communities, supporting areas of deprivation, minoritised groups, refugees and people who are homeless.
• Deliver better outcomes for families and unpaid carers facing poverty or other challenges. 

In 2024-25 our Church & Communities programme awarded £3.4 million over 70 grants to 57* organisations in Greater London, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and the North East of England.

We proactively seek to support organisations rooted within their community, which typically sees smaller community rooted organisations become grantees. 

We also provide support to strengthen organisations we fund through funder plus initiatives, offering training and support beyond funding and wellbeing funding to support the mental health and wellness of staff and volunteers, amid the sector’s growing pressures. 

80% of grantees in 2024-2025 had a turnover of less than £1 million, ensuring that grants awarded are significant for grant holders and the communities they serve.

Increasingly we understand the link between having strong and meaningful social connections and living a healthy and happy life. Greater degrees of social connectedness have been seen to be related to increased life expectancy and better mental health. Community organisations are well placed to support greater social connections and people and families facing disadvantage.

The learning partner for the Older People & Housing programme is a partnership of independent evaluators including Kerry Swain, Sarah Frost, Kathryn Crowther and Sue Cook. Read their first-year evaluation report of grants awarded through our Church & Communities programmes (2024–2029).

Our Church & Communities Funding Programme is open for applications. For further information on funding guidelines visit Church & Communities Funding Applications.