Sussex Historic Churches Trust grants
Sussex Historic Churches Trust funds essential repairs to the fabric of places of worship of all faiths in East and West Sussex that are at least 100 years old.
Guidance last checked 16 July 2026· from the funder’s own website
Overview
Sussex Historic Churches Trust makes grants to places of worship of all faiths within East and West Sussex that are at least 100 years old, and it says all denominations and groups are welcome to apply. Grants are confined to works of essential repair to the fabric of the church building, with the emphasis on maintaining the structure wind and weatherproof. Two things must be in place before you apply. The works must have been approved by a faculty or other equivalent procedure, and a copy must be submitted with the application. They must also be specified, organised and overseen by a qualified architect or surveyor. The trust meets twice a year, in spring and autumn, and the application deadline is two weeks before each meeting. Its published 2026 meeting dates are 10 April and 18 September, so confirm the date before you rely on it.
What they fund
The Charity Commission register records the trust under environment, conservation and heritage, which reflects its work repairing historic places of worship.
Who and where
The register places the trust in the South East, in East Sussex and West Sussex, which matches its own published area.
Who they help
Where they fund
What Sussex Historic Churches Trust says in its own guidance
Quoted directly from the funder’s own website, with a link to the page each quote came from. Always the most current word is theirs — check the source before you apply.
What they say they're looking for
“Grants are confined to works of essential repair to the fabric of the church building, the emphasis being on maintaining the structure wind and weatherproof.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — (PDF) 0c5cef_38475ca51f7f4e1e8d3d3021c0553638.pdf →
Who they say they'll fund
“Sussex Historic Churches Trust makes grants to assist places of worship of all faiths within East and West Sussex that are at least 100 years old.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — (PDF) 0c5cef_38475ca51f7f4e1e8d3d3021c0553638.pdf →
“All denominations and groups are welcome to apply for grants.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — GRANTS | SHCT →
What they say they won't fund
“Works of decoration and embellishment are generally not considered for assistance (although their restoration and conservation are eligible), nor are central heating and electrical maintenance, or works to church halls, parish rooms, churchyards, etc.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — (PDF) 0c5cef_38475ca51f7f4e1e8d3d3021c0553638.pdf →
Deadlines they mention
“The Trust meets twice a year, in Spring and Autumn. The meetings for 2026 are on April 10 and September 18; the application deadline is two weeks before each meeting.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — (PDF) 0c5cef_38475ca51f7f4e1e8d3d3021c0553638.pdf →
How they say to apply
“The Trust requires the works to have been approved by a faculty or other equivalent procedure, a copy of which must be submitted with the grant application.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — (PDF) 0c5cef_38475ca51f7f4e1e8d3d3021c0553638.pdf →
“The works must be specified, organised and overseen by a qualified architect or surveyor; we may wish to see the specification and to visit the church in advance of considering your application for a grant.”
Source: sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk — (PDF) 0c5cef_38475ca51f7f4e1e8d3d3021c0553638.pdf →
Their charitable objects
As registered with the Charity Commission (their formal purposes):
The preservation, repair, maintenance, improvement, upkeep, beautification and reconstruction of churches in sussex and of monument, fittings, fixtures, stained glass, furniture, ornaments and chattels in such churches and of the churchyard belonging to any of such churches.
How to approach them
Start with the official sources — they’re always more current than any directory, including this one.
Common questions
How much does Sussex Historic Churches Trust typically give?
It does not publish a typical grant size or a range. In its most recent published accounts it made £103,000 in grants to organisations.
What does Sussex Historic Churches Trust fund?
It says grants are confined to works of essential repair to the fabric of the church building, the emphasis being on maintaining the structure wind and weatherproof.
Who can apply to Sussex Historic Churches Trust?
Places of worship of all faiths within East and West Sussex that are at least 100 years old. It says all denominations and groups are welcome to apply.
What won't Sussex Historic Churches Trust fund?
It says works of decoration and embellishment are generally not considered, although their restoration and conservation are eligible. It also excludes central heating and electrical maintenance, and works to church halls, parish rooms and churchyards.
How do I apply to Sussex Historic Churches Trust?
The trust meets twice a year, in spring and autumn, and says the application deadline is two weeks before each meeting. It published its 2026 meeting dates as 10 April and 18 September, so the next deadline falls two weeks before 18 September 2026 - confirm it before you rely on it. You will need the works approved by a faculty or other equivalent procedure, with a copy submitted with your application, and specified and overseen by a qualified architect or surveyor. Check the funder's own website (www.sussexhistoricchurchestrust.org.uk) and its Charity Commission entry (charity number 282159) for the current meeting dates and guidance, as these change each year.
Is your charity a fit for Sussex Historic Churches Trust?
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Contains public sector information from the Charity Commission for England and Wales licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, and grants data from 360Giving used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Figures are derived (filtered and summarised by TrusteeMeetings), not republished unchanged. About the data · Terms of use. This page is a starting point for your own research, not a promise of funding, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with Sussex Historic Churches Trust.