As Christians, we are called to approach the future with courage, expectancy and hope, not because the path is always clear, but because God is always faithful.
In 1 Kings 17, a widow discovered God’s faithfulness as the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry. What looked insufficient in human hands became abundant through God’s provision. That truth reminds us that the needs before us may be great, but the God who calls us is greater still.
With that spirit of faith and expectancy, I have gathered 18 grant-making trusts and organisations that are worth churches and Christian organisations exploring in 2026/27. Some are large and well known; others may open a door you have not considered before. Their priorities differ, yet they all share a desire to see people and communities flourish.
As you explore the list, look beyond the funding itself. Ask where God may already be at work, which relationships He may be prompting you to pursue and what new possibilities He may be placing before you. One well-matched opportunity could help release ministry, strengthen a community, or transform a life.
My prayer is that God will guide you to the right opportunities, give you wisdom and favour as you prepare each application, and provide all that is needed for the work He entrusted to you. May every conversation, proposal and partnership become part of His greater purpose.
Best suited to: Churches and Christian charities with strong community impact.
Supports Christian mission, church growth, church planting, youth work, faith development, and community projects. Its Community Impact Grants can support revenue projects, including some staffing costs, while separate funding is available for church buildings.
Best suited to: eligible Anglican organisations supporting clergy wellbeing.
Its Christian Grants programme currently focuses specifically on Anglican clergy wellbeing. These are normally awarded for one or two years and may run for up to three years.
Best suited to: churches and Christian organisations across denominations.
Supports projects that demonstrate a Christian approach to practical, educational, and spiritual needs, as awell as the adaptation or improvement of church properties for ministry and community use.
Best suited to: Christian charities involved in evangelism, mission, education and media.
A particularly good fit for regional, national or overseas projects in evangelism, mission, Christian education, and Christian media.
Best suited to: Christian charities and churches with defined projects.
The family’s trusts support defined Christian ministry, community, and social-action projects rather than ongoing core activity.
Best suited to: charities of all sizes, including faith-based organisations.
One of the most flexible funders on this list, supporting core costs, projects, and capital work across a wide range of charitable activity.
Best suited to: innovative or pioneering projects.
Supports innovative social, religious and community projects, particularly those with the potential to create meaningful change or bridge religious and secular communities.
Best suited to: Christian projects exploring social change.
Supports thoughtful, qualitative research and action on diverse and cohesive communities, interfaith understanding, and faith engagement with social issues.
Best suited to: Christian ministry and training, particularly work with children and young people.
Supports organisations and individuals involved in Christian ministry, with particular emphasis on ministry and training among young people.
Best suited to: Christian ministry, education, and residential work.
Supports Christian ministry, education, conference centres, and other residential Christian activities.
Best suited to: Christian learning discipleship, theological education, and religious education focused on the West Midlands
Supports innovative work in Christian learning, discipleship, theological education, and religious education across the wider West Midlands.
Best suited to: Christian ministry through UK churches and UK-registered Christian charities with a preference for smaller organisations.
Foundation Grants support Christian ministry through UK churches and UK-registered Christian charities. Building and capital projects are not funded.
Best suited to: Church of England education, training, and mission projects, with a preference for work connected with Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, and Somerset.
Best suited to: churches needing support with buildings and repairs.
A key funder for church repairs, maintenance, project development and eligible facilities improvements through its current Medium and Large Grants programmes.
Best suited to: significant historic churches and places of worship.
Supports conversation and restoration work on listed churches of outstanding historic and architectural significance. Churches apply through the National Churches Trust’s Medium or Large Grants programmes rather than directly to the Wolfson Foundation.
Best suited to: UK-registered Christian charities working across ministry, poverty relief, social care, education, health, the environment and emergency aid.
Rooted explicitly in Christian principles, the trust supports a broad range of charitable work, including Christian faith and gospel ministry, relief of poverty, social care, education, medical research, environmental initiatives and emergency assistance.
Best suited to: creative religious education, faith-motivated community transformation, interfaith learning and organisational development.
Christian in foundation and inclusive in outlook, Westhill Endowment supports new, continuing, and one-off projects across the UK and Republic or Ireland.
Best suited to: Christian charities running community-focused projects in areas of deprivation.
Supports grassroots Christian charities working in the UK to transform communities and help people know and follow Jesus.
A few things to remember before you apply.
As you explore these opportunities, begin not with the funder but with the calling. What has God placed in your hands? What need is He asking you to meet, whom is He calling you to serve, and what could become possible through faithful resourcing? Clarity about the vision will help you recognise the opportunities that truly belong to it.
Then seek the right fit with prayerful wisdom. A strong project will not become a strong application unless it connects with the funder’s purpose. Read the guidance carefully, notice where your vision and their priorities meet, and ask, “Could this funder see the hope, change and lasting fruit that this work could bring?”
Remember, too, that provision often comes through many hands. Like a jigsaw, trusts, churches, and individual supporters may contribute one vital piece. God’s provision is not limited to a single route; He can weave together people, resources, and opportunities in ways we could never arrange alone.
Tell the story of what God could make possible through the funding; do not simply describe your activities. Help the funder picture the person whose life could be changed, the community that could be renewed, the young person who could encounter Jesus, or the leader who could be equipped to serve with courage and faith.
Some applications will not succeed, and some doors will remain closed; but that is not the end of the story. We can prepare diligently, apply courageously, and steward every opportunity with integrity, while refusing to let disappointment define the future. Our confidence is not in a funder, a process, or a perfect proposal; our confidence is in God, the one who calls, equips and provides.
So let Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20 become both our promise and our prayer:
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
