Quick answer
Buildings for Mission is the Church of England's national capital grant programme for parish building improvements — funding solar PV, heat pumps, insulation and other works that contribute to the diocesan Net Zero pathway. Typical awards £10,000-£50,000 per parish. Application via your Diocesan Net Zero Officer.
Full answer
Buildings for Mission is funded through national CofE resources (Church Commissioners' allocations and diocesan contributions). The programme launched in its current form in 2023 alongside the broader CofE Net Zero by 2030 strategy. It supports any works that demonstrably improve the parish's carbon trajectory and mission delivery.
Eligibility: Church of England parish churches and (in some cases) parish halls in curtilage. The PCC is the applicant. Around 30% of applications receive funding nationally; success rates vary considerably by diocese, with diocese-resourced applications typically performing best.
Application route: contact your Diocesan Net Zero Officer (every CofE diocese has one), share the parish situation, then prepare the formal application package. Most successful applications include: Statement of Significance, Statement of Needs, technical proposal, financial model, mission narrative, diocesan endorsement letter.
Typical decision timescale: 6-14 weeks from submission. Funding rounds open quarterly or bi-annually depending on the diocese. We've drafted over forty successful Buildings for Mission applications and provide all the technical and financial content as part of our standard project work.
Related questions
- How do I apply for Buildings for Mission?
- What other CofE grants exist for solar?
- Does the Catholic Church have a similar programme?
- What is the success rate?