Benefact Trust: Methodist Grants Programme
Overview
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 organisations to run building development projects and repair and maintenance projects that are essential for ongoing mission and ministry.
The programme focuses on:
- Church growth (both numerically and spiritually).
- Community engagement.
- Improving accessibility.
- Environmental benefits.
Through this programme, they make contributions towards capital projects.
Who can apply
The Methodist Grants programme is open to applications from Methodist Districts and Circuits, individual Methodist churches which are part of the Methodist Connexion and organisations associated with the Methodist Church in Britain or the Methodist Church in Ireland. The Programme also supports some heritage sites which are deemed by the Connexion to be important in telling the story of Methodism.
What they can fund
Grants are awarded for building development and repairs for mission, outreach and community benefit. More specifically, projects supported will include:
- Significant redevelopment projects on buildings which have been identified as key to the future mission objectives of a Circuit or District.
- Work which includes the provision of disabled access and facilities.
- Schemes which bring significant community benefits beyond those to the immediate congregation, and which are supported by evidence from community consultation.
- Initiatives which demonstrate a clear environmental benefit*.
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.
*Notes for energy efficiency proposals:
- If you are planning to apply for funding for energy efficiency works (e.g. heating/lighting upgrades, solar panels, etc), you are advised to check your plans with your insurance company first.
- They require that a feasibility study/eco audit or similar has been carried out before submitting your application.
How much can you apply for?
When completing your application, you will be asked to present the total costs of your project and details of the other funding you have secured, rather than requesting a specific grant amount. If your project fits the programme criteria, the size of your grant will be calculated by their Grants Officers based on your total project costs and their assessment criteria. They will also take into account deprivation levels where your project is taking place and may apply a deprivation uplift when determining the size of your grant.
Other funding
All applicants will be expected to have secured funding for at least 30% of their total project costs before making an application (it is not possible to submit an application form until this level of funding has been secured). Applicants should also have a clear plan for how the remainder of the other funding for the project will be secured (i.e. it should not be assumed that Benefact Trust will cover the entire funding shortfall).
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.