The Swansea Welsh Church Act Trust Fund

Unfortunately the fund is not open to individuals or groups who do not work in the Swansea area.

Churches, Chapels and other places of worship in Swansea are also eligible to apply, however these groups are limited to applications for building or other capital works and the maximum grant awarded is generally £1,000.

About the trust

The Welsh Church Act Trust was established from the proceeds and assets of the disestablishment of the Church in Wales. These assets were distributed evenly amongst the former county councils in Wales, and then divided between the Welsh Unitary Authorities when they were formed in 1996.

We act as administrators for the fund, and the trustees of the fund are drawn from the council's elected members. The trustees meet twice annually, in spring and autumn. Applications are accepted at any time and will be assessed at the next meeting.

Who is eligible to apply? 

• Charitable or voluntary organisations or those with charitable objectives
• New organisations which require 'seed funding' to start a service for which there is a demonstrable need
• Organisations which will provide a new and innovative service for which there is a demonstrable need
• Organisations which provide services which compliment the aims and objectives of the City and County of Swansea
• Churches, for capital projects only
• Groups which have previously received funding from the trust will not be eligible to re-apply for three years from the date of approval

Other than applications from Churches, priority will normally be given to revenue funded schemes, however capital schemes will be considered, especially where they can show:

• That other capital funding has already been secured/or is subject to a bid for additional funds
• That the Welsh Church Act Fund will be used to match fund other sources of funding ie Lottery, European or other

Organisations seeking deficit funding will not normally be eligible and neither will individuals seeking funding for educational purposes, sponsorship or charitable donations.

How to apply

All applicants will be required to complete the  Swansea Welsh Church Act Trust Fund application form (Word doc) [188KB] and provide the necessary additional information required by the trustees before assessment of your application can be made.

You must provide any additional information requested - failure to do so will result in delays in assessment or the application becoming ineligible for consideration.

Email your completed form to Spencer Martin

Levels of funding

The maximum grant usually awarded is:

• £5,000 for community groups
• £1,000 for repairs to Church buildings.

How are applications assessed?

All applications will be assessed against the same criteria and applicants will be required where appropriate, to demonstrate

• Their charitable status/charitable objectives
• Satisfactory constitutional, financial management and administration arrangements
• Full financial information including income and expenditure, and other sources of finance
• That the funding will support the provision of a local service to the residents of Swansea
• That it operates an equal opportunities policy
• The need for such a project

All applications will be assessed by a team made up of officers from the local authority who will provide a summary of the relevant information to committee and will make recommendations to the Welsh Church Act Fund Trustees.

The Trustee committee is made up of local Members and meets on an ad hoc basis.  

The Trustees decision will be final.

Closing dates

There is no set closing dates for applications. If sufficient funds are available the trustees panel sits twice a year. Applications will be presented to the next scheduled panel.