The Church of England has committed £190 million to 2030 to help fund the goal of reaching net zero by 2030. This funding is being released in sections over the next six years. Below are a list of grants currently or soon to be available as part of this funding. If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Sam Scott (sam.scott@winchester.anglican.org) or Lucy Howlett (lucy.howlett@winchester.anglican.org).
Subsidised Energy Audits – £145 (+VAT)
An Energy Audit is a great first step when thinking about net zero in your parish. A professional will come and assess your building, looking at it’s usage, energy bills and fabric to suggest opportunities to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. They’ll create a prioritised list of actions from smaller quick wins to the viability of different low carbon heating options. It will help your parish to create an action plan to move your building to net zero.
These audits are provided through Parish Buying and usually cost £450 +VAT. There is currently a subsidy available to reduce this cost to £145 +VAT. Initially we are only able to provide one subsidy per parish.
For more details about Energy Audits and the subsidy, click here. To secure a subsidy, please email Lucy Howlett before applying for an audit.
Give to Go Green – £10K In Match Funding
Give to Go Green is a way to double your locally raised donations through match funding from the Church of England. This grant is aimed at small to medium carbon reduction project that cost between £5,000-£20,000. Funds up to £10,000 will be matched (for a total project cost of £20,000). All funds must be raised during a six week period and must be given online through the ‘Give A Little’ platform.
Applications are now closed, but will open again in October. To find out more about the grant and the eligibility criteria click here. For the best chance of success please speak to Sam Scott or Lucy Howlett before applying.
Quick Wins
Quick Wins provides small grants usually up to £3,000 (in exceptional circumstances up to £10,000) for small carbon reduction projects. This includes projects like LED lighting, pew heaters, insulation or updating electricity supplies.
This grant is being administered with the Minor Repairs and Improvements Fund (MR&I) and your project maybe eligible for both grants. There is one application form for both Quick Wins and MR&I. For more details about MR&I see the application guidance below.
This grant is now closed, but will reopen in 2025. To find out more about the grant and eligibility, click here. If you’re interested in applying for this grant please contact Sam Scott or Lucy Howlett to discuss your application.
Recommendations For Applications
To strengthen your applications for Give to Go Green and Quick Wins:
- Speak to the DAC about any building project. You do not always need all the permissions to apply, but grants often require evidence that at least an initial conversation has taken place. Click here to find out more about and contact the DAC.
- Fill out the Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) for your building. This can be done through the parish returns system. More information can be found here. For support with this contact Sam Scott or Lucy Howlett.
- Consider registering for Eco Church. Eco Church is a great way to build a wholistic action plan for creation care and celebrate what you’re already doing! To find out more click here.
Other Grants
To see a list of other organisations making grants for green projects to churches click here.