Grant-giving bodies
Archer Trust
This is a Christian trust providing grants of between £250 and £3,000 to charities and community projects that help disadvantaged people in areas of high unemployment and deprivation. They prioritise charities that make good use of volunteers. There is no application deadline or form to complete. Instead, a letter outlining the project’s main objectives, along with the most recent accounts, should be sent to The Secretary, The Archer Trust, Bourne House, Wadesmill, Ware, Herts, SG12 0TT.
Duncan McClements Trust for Ecumenical Training
Purposes for which grants are available include: to enable people to attend ecumenical assemblies and conferences; to provide ecumenical encounter at gatherings of young people; to enable those who are training for the ministry, of whatever kind, to attend short courses or conferences promoting ecumenical understanding; and to enable schools to organise one-off events to promote better understanding among differing communities and cultures with different religious backgrounds.
FiSCAF
Faith in Scotland Community Action Fund – offers grants of up to £5,000 per annum for three years to faith groups involved in tackling poverty in some way. For further information, contact Kenneth Bell on 0141 221 4544 (Tuesdays only) or visit www.fiscaf.org.
National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust was launched in 2007 as the only national, non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting places of worship used by Christian denominations throughout the UK. It provides grants of around £2 million per year for the restoration and modernisation of places of worship. The Grants Committee meet quarterly to make decisions on applications and grant applications can be made throughout the year.
Novum Trust
The Trust provides small short-term grants – typically between £200 and £2,500 – to initiate projects in Christian research and action which cannot readily be financed from other sources. Special consideration is given to proposals aimed at the welfare of young people, investment in training, new ways of communicating the faith, and work in association with overseas Churches or on behalf of immigrants in Scotland. The Trust cannot support large building projects or individuals applying for maintenance during courses or training. For an application form and guidance notes, email novumt@cofscotland.org.uk.
O2 Think Big
This programme offers projects up to £300 in grants as well as training, support and mentoring from a number of youth charities. Eligible projects should be run by young people for young people, and may have the opportunity to apply for a further £2,500 to continue their work. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Pauline Webb Fund
Offers scholarships for women to attend ecumenical conferences and events. Preference is given to: those attending for the first or second time; women under 40; women from ethnic minorities; women with expertise who may still not be funded by their churches; and to encourage participation of women from the four home countries. Recipients must be women normally resident in Britain or Ireland, and be a member of a church which is in membership of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, or the national bodies (eg Action of Churches Together in Scotland). For further information and an application form, contact church.life@ctbi.org.uk.
