Meeting Houses Funds
What is the fund for?
The purpose of the Meeting Houses Funds is to give or lend money to meetings for improvements to their property. This includes:
- improving wardens' living areas
- buying and improving new property
- helping with large repairs to historic meeting houses.
How much can meetings apply for?
Meetings may apply for either or both of:
- a grant up to £15,000
- an interest-free loan of £10,000 or over.
A grant plus a loan can be no more than £40,000. The loan is usually paid back in four or five annual payments. You can ask for up to half of the total project cost.
What will the grant cover?
The grants do not fund:
- routine jobs and repairs
- 'investment properties' i.e. property not used directly by the meeting.
Application might be considered when:
- an area meeting has lots of unexpected repairs in the meeting houses it looks after
- other circumstances which might include routine jobs and repairs.
To apply for a grant please read the guidance and answer the questions on the
Meeting House Funds guidance (Words) and application form (Word).
Once the grant has been spent we will ask you to complete a simple progress report (Word).
Sawell Family Fund
The purpose of the grants is to develop and enhance meeting houses. These improvements should serve meetings' worship. They should also inspire the local community to value and enjoy Quaker premises.
What is the fund for?
The Sawell Family Fund makes small grants of up to £5,000 to meetings during the development phase of any work. It can help pay for advice and feasibility work. This sort of work will support Friends with the threshing and discernment process involved in making big decisions about a meeting house. Meetings might wish to make decisions about:
- improvements to their property
- the purchase a new property
- finding new ways of involving the community in using and enjoying the meeting house
- employing managing agents to run and look after the building.
How much can meetings apply for?
Meetings may apply for grants of up to £5,000. They may apply for three grants over a five year period.
What could a grant cover?
A grant could cover:
- architects' and designers' fees
- planners' fees
- community engagement advisors' fees
- procurement advice when considering employing managing agents to help run and look after the building.
To apply for a grant please read the guidance and answer the questions on the Sawell Family Fund guidance and application form (Word).
Once the grant has been spent we will ask you to complete a simple progress report (Word).