Since 1994 we have awarded over £1bn to more than 8,200 places of worship projects across the UK.  

Whether they are used for worship or other purposes, these places and their built heritage, objects and intangible culture tell the story of life in the UK over the centuries. From gurdwaras and synagogues to temples and cathedrals, they are also homes and habitats to declining species and nature such as bats.

Our approach

We know that the sector is changing and that demands on our funding are changing too. We are committed to supporting places of worship and the people who care for them through that change, whatever it looks like.  

Through our Heritage 2033 strategy we’re taking a new approach to supporting historic places of worship, grounded in our research into the needs and challenges in different areas and nations of the UK.

We support individual places of worship

Grants from £10,000 to £10million are available through our National Lottery Heritage Grants programme to support communities caring for places of worship of all faiths. 

We’re planning a refreshed approach later in 2024 to how we reach out to those who manage places of worship to encourage them to apply.  

How to get funding

You might also want to explore the Listed Places of Worship grants scheme. 

What sorts of project might we fund?

• exploring the building and bringing it to life through new interpretation
• necessary repair works to masonry, rain-water goods systems or roofs, enabling the building to be taken off the Heritage at Risk Register
• running heritage learning activities and community events, and creating space for them by carrying out minor alterations to the fabric
• exploring, conserving and interpreting the biodiversity of external spaces including graveyards and cemeteries
• providing better access to heritage using digital technology
• community events to involve people in recording the removal, repair and reinstallation of bells, organs, hatchments and benefactor boards, alongside the repairs  
• opportunities for people to learn about the art in places of worship, alongside a programme of conservation, such as stained glass, memorials and monuments, wall paintings, statues, historic fixtures or graffiti
• discovery, conservation and learning about the creatures that live in the building, such as bats or birds of prey
• activities to help your group manage heritage more effectively, such as researching existing and new audiences, expanding your pool of volunteers, or trying new approaches to fundraising or income generation
• installing facilities such as toilets which can be shown to enable more inclusive use of the building in future

Explore recent news and case studies from places of worship we’ve supported below.

We support organisations addressing sector-wide challenges

Places of worship are a current focus for our Heritage in Need strategic initiative. 

We work with umbrella organisations that can have a broad impact across the places of worship sector to address widespread needs and challenges. Our partnership with the National Churches Trust and Architectural Heritage Fund is investing in creative and collaborative ways to save and reuse historic buildings and increase organisations’ resilience.

We’ve recently published details of how we will invest a minimum of £15million in projects that have a strategic impact at a regional or national level for places of worship over the next three years.