How to raise money for your church
Amidst a challenging funding landscape with rising costs to repair and a more competitive pool of funding, professional fundraiser and Director of Church Grants, Andrew Clark, joins us for the last episode of our Beyond Funding podcast series to share his insights on how churches can raise funds for their capital projects.
Below are a few takeaways from the episode, but watch the full conversation here:
Where to start: how to successfully fundraise for church projects.
Before diving into fundraising, Andrew encourages churches to pause and step back:
“The first step in planning a really great fundraising project is to stop fundraising”, he explains.
A strong fundraising case is rooted in the real needs of your community. So rather than beginning with what you want to build or repair, start with why your project matters. Andrew suggests asking questions like:
-
What are the key issues and challenges within your congregation and local community?
-
How can your church play a meaningful role in addressing them?
-
In two or three years, who do you want to be as a church, and how does this project support that vision?
By grounding your project in a clearly defined community need, you can create a compelling story that funders, donors, and your community can stand behind.
Diversifying your funding sources.
Many churches assume grants will cover the full cost of a major capital project, but Andrew explains that this isn’t realistic. While grants from funders like Benefact Trust are a valuable part of the funding mix, they should be treated as one income stream among many.
What’s often more pivotal is securing early commitment from your church’s own congregation. A strong internal contribution demonstrates unity and momentum, helping to “pump prime” the project before approaching external funders.
Beyond grants and congregational giving, Andrew highlights several often-overlooked funding avenues:
Local authority funding
Local councils frequently hold significant amounts of Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding - money that must be allocated to charitable capital projects. These funds can be a major boost, yet many churches haven’t explored them.
Your church’s networks
Every church has connections: families, local business owners, individuals linked to charitable trusts, and people with capacity to give. Often, these connections go unnoticed until a team intentionally maps them out. Identifying and cultivating these relationships can unlock major donor support, corporate contributions, and new grant opportunities.
The key is to adopt a blended approach, combining:
-
Congregational giving
-
Grants
-
Local authority funds
-
Major donors
-
Local businesses
-
Wider community fundraising
This diversified strategy provides stability and significantly increases your chances of reaching your target.
Effective strategies for securing funds for your church.
Assemble the right team
Fundraising shouldn’t fall on one person’s shoulders. Andrew recommends forming a small, dedicated team with clearly assigned responsibilities, from writing thank‑you letters to connecting with potential major donors, liaising with parish councillors, and managing grant applications. A structured approach ensures consistency and reduces burnout.
Do a fundraising feasibility study
For projects up to around £250,000, churches can often progress through a blend of congregational giving, grants, and community fundraising. But for anything larger, Andrew strongly advises conducting a fundraising feasibility study.
“If you've got a project of over £250,000, you should really consider what I would term a fundraising feasibility study. Just pausing again and looking at all the different income options available to you both internally and externally” Andrew explains.
A feasibility study helps prevent:
-
A campaign that stalls after early fundraising
-
Long, drawn-out efforts that lead to donor fatigue
-
Uncertainty about where to even begin
Instead, it provides a clear roadmap for how to reach your target, or whether the target is realistic in the first place.
What is a fundraising feasibility study?
A fundraising feasibility study answers a simple but vital question: can we realistically raise the amount we need?
To do this, the study examines both internal and external funding potential:
Internal assessment
-
What reserves or legacies are available?
-
How ready is the congregation to contribute at the start of the appeal?
External assessment
-
Which grant-makers align with your project’s vision or demographic focus (e.g. children, young people, social inclusion)?
-
Who are the potential major donors within your networks?
-
Are there local businesses interested in supporting community-rooted initiatives?
-
Is statutory funding, such as council-led or government-led capital funding, available?
The outcome may confirm that your full target is achievable, or it may highlight the need to phase the project into smaller, more manageable goals. Phasing still allows you to make progress, celebrate wins, and build confidence for the next stage.
Ultimately, a feasibility study equips your church with a strategic, evidence-based plan to guide your fundraising journey from start to finish.
Fundraising ideas for your church: How to raise money for your church with Church Grants.
Looking for more insight on how you can raise money for your church within a challenging fundraising landscape? Watch/listen to our full interview with Andrew Clark on YouTube or Spotify.
Are you looking for grant funding as part of your blended approach to fundraising? Visit our grants page here.
Find out more about Church Grants here.
Useful links and terminology
- Community Infrastructure Levy - a charge which can be levied by local authorities on new development in their area. It is an important tool for local authorities to use to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area. Read more about the Community Infrastructure Levy.
- Pump Priming - providing initial, small-scale funding or resources to launch a project, initiative, organisation, or (in this context) a fundraising appeal.