24 C O N T E X T 1 0 5 : J U LY 2 0 0 8 The new programme will concentrate on larger grants for structural repairs; continue to provide smaller grants, but streamline their administration; encourage the engagement of the wider community through a new community-based grant scheme targeting new facilities and improved access; and introduce later in 2008 two additional new grant categories targeting maintenance and new thinking within the sector. The new grants strategy for the National Churches Trust will be based on five specific individual grant programmes. • Cornerstone grants of £40,000 or more for structural repairs costing in excess of £50,000. An assessment of grant applications received by the trust during the last 3-5 years has revealed a pattern of repeat dependency on grant aid. Grants set at too low a level, set against increased building and repair costs, are diminishing in their effectiveness over the long term. • Foundation grants of less than £40,000 to be made for structural repairs costing less than £50,000. The smaller grant programme, which traditionally made up the core of HCPT giving, is important but costly to administer. During 2008 the trust will continue to work in partnership with seven county trusts piloting a scheme whereby the individual county trusts will assess applications and make grant applications back to the NCT. This has a number of advantages. It determines grants at a local level; it allows churches to make one application; it improves administration and efficiency; and it helps county trusts to raise their profiles. • Community grants aiming to help churches keep open, accessible and adapted to modern needs. There is increased demand for this type of funding for improving access (including hearing loops and visual aids) and for the creation of new facilities such as toilets and kitchens. £250,000 has been allocated to this fund in 2008. • Maintenance grants, to be launched later in 2008. Proper maintenance is essential if future repair bills are to be avoided. This new programme will target those congregations least able to fund maintenance themselves. • Enterprise grants will also be launched later in the year. This programme will help to improve conditions within the sector, to promote churches or to improve management of church buildings by providing funding for local or national projects such as research, church tourism initiatives, or the design and implementation of new bespoke training programmes. The National Churches Trust has allocated a total of £2 million for grants in 2008. The trust has tidied up much of the criteria previously used. For example, churches applying no longer have to be over 100 years old. The trust is developing ways to monitor and measure the impact of its grants programme. For example, cornerstone beneficiaries will be required to demonstrate the impact of the grant over the following 3–5 year period; the completion and success of the repair project in hand; the implementation of an effective maintenance programme; and wider community engagement where appropriate. As part of its wider remit in providing support to church communities, the trust will in January 2009 launch a national advice line aimed at providing support, encouragement and advice to church communities. A national telephone advice line accompanied by an on-line support service will help churches access the financial help and support they require. If the trust is to play an effective role within the sector it will need to generate substantial new funding. A new fundraising team is now in place. Andrew Edwards is chief executive of the National Churches Trust. See www. nationalchurchestrust.org. Pews at All Saints, Sudbury, Derbyshire
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