Enhancing the mission and ministry of the Methodist church
Methodist Grants Programme Explained
Benefact Trust’s Methodist Grants Programme seeks to enhance the mission and ministry of the Methodist Church in the UK and Ireland.
Funded primarily by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC, the programme provides grants to Methodist churches to run building development projects that focus on church growth (both numerically and spiritually), community engagement and improving accessibility. Applicants are also encouraged to demonstrate how their planned projects will give an environmental benefit.
The Methodist Grant Giving Committee particularly likes to support significant redevelopment projects on buildings which have been identified as key to the future mission objectives of a circuit or district and schemes which bring significant community benefits beyond those to the immediate congregation, supported by evidence from community consultation.
In a recent update to the programme criteria, Methodist Grants are available for repair and maintenance projects that are essential for the ongoing mission and ministry of an organisation. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have a clear strategy that forms part of their Circuit’s plan for mission, and the planned work has strong support from the District and Circuit. Essential work covers work that if not carried out would result in the organisation no longer being able to function; grants are not awarded for general repairs or routine maintenance.
Grants of up to £100,000 are available through the Methodist Grants Programme, based on a percentage of project cost, and funding uplifts are awarded in the most disadvantaged areas.
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Individual Methodist churches who are part of the Methodist Connexion are able to apply, along with Methodist Circuits and Districts and some key Methodist heritage sites.
Projects supported under the Methodist Grants Programme include the building of a new multipurpose church and community hub for Blackhill and Shotley Bridge Uniting Methodist Church; the transformation of a disused building into private apartments for those ready to take the next step on from East Belfast Mission’s homelessness hostel; and the creation of a community garden in the grounds of Leiston United Church.
If you are eligible to apply, you can do so provided you have not received a previous grant through this programme or Benefact Trust’s General Grants Programme within the last two years. If you have received a previous grant through one of our thematic grant programmes (Hope Beyond, or the Roof Protection Scheme) within the last two years, you are still welcome to apply to this programme provided your previous thematic grant was given for a different project.
Before submitting an application, why not head to our advice and resources hub, where you will find useful guidance and tools for project planning, reporting and impact evaluation tools, as well as advice on applying for funding, publicising your project and much more.
To apply for a grant under the Methodist Grants Programme, you will need to complete this online application form. You can read through the questions here. If you have any questions about the programme take a look at our FAQ's.
