The Church Improvement Fund (CIF) was established to provide financial support to PCCs wishing to improve the facilities of their church buildings. The aim is to future-proof mission by making church buildings fit for 21st century mission and ministry. The fund has recently been expanded to include funding for net zero projects – these are works which will allow a church to enable and enhance mission and ministry, whilst implementing a demonstrable reduction in their carbon footprint.
There are two strands of the fund – Net Zero Projects and Church Improvement Projects. The application criteria and process are slightly different for the two strands. To be eligible for the grant, Parish Share must have been paid in full for two years prior to the application and the PCC must commit to paying Parish Share in the future. For full details on both strands please read the Application Guide.
If you have any questions or want to discuss your ideas, and whether they will qualify for a grant, please get in touch for advice. Please contact Jo Hands, the secretary to the Church Improvements Fund at jo.hands@coventry.anglican.org.
Church Improvement Projects
The next deadline for applications is 15th January 2025 - in a new simpler format. We hope to share the new process and forms with you in December 2024.
Net Zero Projects
There are two Net Zero Grants available to parishes in Coventry Diocese.
1. Net Zero Quick Win Fund (NZQW) - This will remain open until 31st Decmeber 2024 in its current form
A one-step application which can be submitted all year round. Up to 50% (max £1,500) of a small project (max £3,000) can be funded.
2. Church Improvement Fund Net Zero Strand (CIF-NZ) - The next deadline for applications is 15th January 2025 - in a new simpler format. We hope to share the new process and forms with you in December 2024
A two-step application, stage one applications can be submitted all year round and stage two application, which are invite only, have two deadlines per year. Up to 50% (max £25,000) of a project can be funded.
Net Zero Quick Win Fund (NZQW)
The Net Zero Quick Win Fund enables access to quick, straightforward funding for parishes looking to implement simple, lower-cost carbon reducing projects. Measures covered by the Quick Win fund could include draught-proofing, insulating curtains, rugs, LED lighting, heating controls, etc. The fund will apply to projects up to £3,000. Parishes will be able to apply for up to 50% of the total project cost, to a maximum of £1,500. Applications can be submitted throughout the year to Jo Hands and will be assessed as they are received. Click here for full guidance and the application form.
VAT relief for Energy Saving Materials for charities
Until August 2013, UK legislation provided a VAT relief for the installation of ESMs in a building intended for use solely for a relevant charitable purpose. This VAT relief will be reinstated from 1 February 2024. Qualifying charities will be able to install all ESMs within scope of this relief without incurring VAT until 31 March 2027. Find out more.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your ideas, and whether they will qualify for a grant, please get in touch for advice. Please contact Jo Hands, the secretary to the Church Improvements Fund at jo.hands@coventry.anglican.org.
Feedback reports
Projects which are given grants must report back on how the project has gone. This is done so that:
- Stories from projects can be used to encourage other people
- Future applicants can learn from past successes and failures
- The DMF can explain what the money given is used for
Please use this CIF form to complete your CIF reports and this CIF-NZ form to complete your CIF-NZ reports.
This form is a minimum requirement; please refer to your approval letter which confirms when report(s) on your project are due. We do encourage creative ways to report back on your project, so please feel free to submit updates in different formats, such as a video presentation.