Cornwall Historic Churches Trust funds the preservation and repair of historic churches and related religious buildings in Cornwall and the Duchy of Cornwall, with a strong emphasis on keeping the building fabric sound and usable. Their grants are highly practical and maintenance-oriented, often supporting urgent repairs to roofs, walls, windows, timbers, heating, lighting, fire safety, and other elements that protect historic structures from deterioration. They appear to favor small to mid-sized capital projects at local churches, including both Anglican and Methodist buildings, rather than general programmatic support.
Focus Areas
Historic Church Fabric PreservationRoof and Tower RepairsWater Ingress and Structural Masonry RepairsLighting, Heating, and Electrical Safety UpgradesEmergency Maintenance for Rural ChurchesChurchyard Monuments and Fixtures Restoration
Giving Approach
Small, fast-moving grants for discrete repair projects, typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, with a fast-track option for urgent works. Smaller projects are processed promptly on receipt, while larger restoration and repair applications are reviewed on a quarterly schedule with fixed deadlines (1 Dec, 1 Mar, 1 May, 1 Sept).
Want a Personalized Pitch for Cornwall Historic Churches Trust?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Weekly grant intelligence for social impact leaders. Curated opportunities, funding trends, and strategic insights — free.
Join 500+ social impact leaders. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy
Trusted by mission-driven teams at organizations nationwide
How to approach this funder
Frame requests as clearly defined repair or conservation projects tied to a maintenance or quinquennial inspection report, and show urgency, heritage value, and readiness to proceed. For larger restoration grants, plan around the quarterly deadlines; for small urgent repairs, use the fast-track route and apply as soon as the problem is identified.
Notable grantees:
• Maker Church (Maker with Rame)
• St Hydroc, Lanhydrock
• St Stephen’s, Launceston
• Falmouth Methodist Church
• Church of Our Lady of the Portal and St Piran, Truro
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Cornwall Historic Churches Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowAward: $250 – $10K
Restoration and Repair Grants
church restorationrepairpreservation+10 more
Who can apply: Open churches and chapels of any denomination used for public worship; churches must be open for worship and associated with a church in need of restoration or repair. Church Friend members can receive up to £10,000; other churches up to £5,000. Not usually for closed churches or chapels.
Deadline: Submitted by 1 December, 1 March, 1 May, or 1 September for consideration at the next quarterly grants meeting.
urgent repairssmall structural repairsemergency repairs+7 more
Who can apply: Work must be identified by a Quinquennial Inspection (QI), surveyor's report, or contractor report; two quotes required; work costed between £1,000 and £10,000 before VAT; confirmation that faculty or similar permission is not required; evidence of consultation with the DAC or equivalent body is required.
Deadline: Rolling / fast-track intake; decisions normally within a few days of receipt.
Who can apply: Work identified by QI, surveyor's report, or gutter management contractor report; two quotes required; work costed between £1,000 and £10,000 before VAT; evidence of consultation with the DAC or equivalent body required.
Deadline: Rolling / fast-track intake; no scheduled grants meeting required.
Who can apply: Churches and chapels of any denomination may apply; described as a limited number of grants available. No further criteria provided in the source content.
Deadline: Available on a limited basis; no deadline stated.
urgent small repairssmall structural worksemergency maintenance
Who can apply: Applicants must be CHCT Church Friends to access scheme (scheme aimed at Church Friends); work must be identified by a QI report or maintenance contractor, have two quotes, cost between £1,000 and £10,000 before VAT, and not require faculty or similar permission (DAC consultation required and evidence must be provided).
Deadline: No fixed deadlines; applications are processed promptly on receipt and are not required to wait for scheduled trustees' meetings.
building fabric repairroof repairsrainwater goods+8 more
Who can apply: Open churches, chapels or meeting houses of any denomination which are used for public worship (not closed churches/chapels). Church Friend membership increases maximum award (see notes). Grants limited to a maximum of 3 per church in a five-year period.
Deadline: Applications should be submitted to the Grants Secretary by 1 December, 1 March, 1 May and 1 September each year for consideration at the next trustees' grants meeting.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.