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How to find Christian Funding

A Practical Guide for Christian Charities and Churches

Start with your purpose

Before searching for grants, take time to articulate:

  • What you feel called to do
  • Why it matters in your context
  • Who will benefit and how
  • What change you hope to see
  • How you will deliver these changes

 

This will help funders understand the heart behind the work and why it’s important, as well as the practical plan.

Identify the type of funding needed

Different funders support different kinds of work. It helps to name what you’re seeking:

  • Project funding for new or existing activities. E.g. youth work, community cafes, support for older people.

  • Capital funding for buildings, renovation and equipment. E.g. church halls, accessibility improvements.
  • Core funding for staff time, administration or ongoing costs. E.g. salaries, utilities, etc.
  • Seed funding for early stage ideas. E.g. pilots, experiments, new ministries.

 

Knowing your category narrows the field and strengthens your application.

Look for aligned funders

Christian funders vary widely in their focus. Some support evangelism, others social action, others leadership development or global mission. When exploring funders, look for alignment in:

  • Priority themes (poverty, youth, environment, discipleship, etc.) 
  • Size and scale of grants
  • Geographical focus

 

A good match is more important than a long list.

Read the guidelines & questions carefully

Every funder has their own criteria. Before applying check:

  • Eligibility (charity status, location, faith basis)
  • What they do and don’t fund
  • The amounts they fund
  • Deadlines and decision cycles
  • Required documents – make sure you attach them to the application!
  • Reporting expectations

This step alone saves huge amounts of time and increases your chances of success.

Build relationships

Many funders value genuine connection, so if and where appropriate:

  • Introduce your work with a short, friendly email
  • Check if your project fits their priorities if unclear (make sure you’ve done your homework and read them first!)
  • Attend events or webinars they host

 

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone or send an email, if you’re unsure if your project is a good fit. Funding often grows out of trust.

But do be aware that funders build relationsips in different way, some like a phone call, some have an expression of interest form. They receive hundreds of applications and they don’t necessarily have the capacity for relationship building with everyone who is interested in applying!

Prepare a clear, honest application

A strong application:

  • Clearly demonstrates an outworking of your Christian values
  • Is clear about need and impact
  • Is realistic about budget and capacity
  • Is honest about challenges
  • Is grounded in the community you serve
  • Answers the questions that are being asked – too often people don’t!
  • Is backed with good governance, including policies and procedures in place.

 

This might sound obvious, but always double check your contact details are correct. Funders have mentioned several occasions where applicants type email addresses incorrectly, and they get a bounce back.

Other considerations

Many funders tend to look for:

  • Examples of collaboration with other churches / organisations in the local community.
  • Evidence of some funds being raised already.
  • Leverage of a match fund.
  • A plan that has financial sustainability.
  • A DEI / Environmental policy.
  • A robust safeguarding policy.

Existing resources worth exploring

As well as the list of members of the Christian Funders Forum on this website, there are resources available to help you discover relevant funders, many of which are free. Click on the names in the list below for more information:

360 Giving Grant Nav

Charity Excellence Funder Finder

Church Grants (this has a small annual cost)

Landfill Grants

My Funding Central

Get Grants

Funds Online (annual subscription)

Government Grants

Denominations often have webpages with advice on funding opportunities.

There are also other funding networks that are place based, such as:

Yorkshire Funders

London Funders

Funding Wales

Funding Scotland

Top tips

Show the need clearly and simply

Funders want to understand WHY your project matters and HOW you will deliver change. Lots of applications come through with incredibe aims, but not always the clear path on how to get there.

Match your project to the funder’s priorities, if published

A beautifully written application won’t succeed if it isn’t aligned. Read the guidelines slowly and check eligibility, then shape your application to show the natural fit — not by stretching your project, but by highlighting the parts that resonate with their aims.

Be specific about impact and stewardship

Funders want to know what difference their support will make and how you’ll use it wisely. Explain the outcomes you hope to see, how you’ll measure them, and how the budget supports those outcomes.

Keep your writing warm and concise

Grant applications don’t need to sound corporate. Use plain language, avoid jargon, and let your Christian ethos come through naturally. A concise and honest tone, paired with a well‑structured application, helps your application stand out.