Grants

INTRODUCTION

Who we can help

Between the two charities we are able to give financial help to clergy of the Anglican Communion who work in Great Britain, Ireland and the Diocese in Europe, and to Anglican clergy missionaries who are working abroad, provided they are sponsored financially by a UK based missionary society. We can also assist such clergy in retirement, as well as their widows/widowers, their separated or divorced spouses and their dependent children under the age of 25. In certain circumstances help can also be given to the unmarried elderly daughters of such clergy. Limited assistance, by way of book grants,  may be given to ordinands who are training for the ordained ministry.

Sons and Friends working together

For many years the Sons of the Clergy and the Friends of the Clergy worked in conjunction with each other in their grant work. Certain areas of assistance were addressed solely by the Sons and others solely by the Friends. However, since January 2005 the two charities have been working even more closely together in their grant administration following the establishment of a single body of trustees common to both organisations. Furthermore, since early 2007 the two organisations have been served by a single combined staff working under a single roof.

To whom should applicants now apply?

Following the introduction of these new working arrangements it no longer matters whether an applicant applies to the Sons or to the Friends. There is a common application form for both charities and all applications are automatically considered by both organisations. However, for technical reasons when making grants they are still awarded by one charity or the other, although applicants need not concern themselves with these arrangements—for them the two charities operate what is effectively a “one stop shop”.

General information

The award of all grants is at the discretion of the trustees. All applicants will be required to complete a form giving full details of their and their household's financial circumstances and in considering the award of any grants this information will be taken into account.

All correspondence with the charities relating to grants is treated in strictest confidence, and third parties will not be approached without the applicant's permission.

Grants for any one purpose will not normally be awarded more frequently than annually. Holiday grants, however, will not normally be awarded more frequently than once every two years.

Applications from non-stipendiary clergy or their dependants must be supported by the applicant’s bishop or archdeacon, with details of the role performed by the relevant clergy person in his or her parish or diocese.

Grants are not normally made:

·       to augment stipends or pensions;

·       in connection with the purchase of a house or flat;

·       in connection with the purchase or maintenance of motor vehicles (save in limited circumstances for disabled applicants, as mentioned below);

·       for the cost of fares or freight in connection with removals to or from the United Kingdom;

·       towards the cost of further education courses for clergy (save for courses on financial management, as mentioned below);

·       to reimburse litigation costs or other legal costs.

Help for separated or divorced spouses can only be considered if the ordained spouse is still in Holy Orders.

The charities do not make loans.

GRANTS

Set out below are some of the areas in which one or both of the charities can consider help. These areas are given as a guide only and are by no means exhaustive. The Registrar/Secretary and his staff will gladly discuss any particular cases to see whether and, if so, how we may be able to help with any problem. If we are unable to help, we may be able to suggest other charities or trusts that may be able to provide what is needed. For further information Email us now or telephone 020 7799 3696 for a confidential discussion.

Bereavement expenses

Help can be considered for clergy and their widows/widowers towards the costs of their spouse’s funeral. Funeral costs are assumed to be a charge on the estate of the deceased rather than on the bereaved person.

Cars for the disabled

Whilst help cannot be provided towards the cost of acquiring a car, grants can sometimes be considered towards the cost of converting a standard car to enable its use by a disabled person who needs the car for the purposes of mobility.

Child maintenance

Grants can be considered for widows/widowers and divorced and separated clergy/spouses in respect of clergy children under the age of 25 who are still in full-time education or are below school age.

Clothing

Grants can be considered towards adult clothing (including clerical clothing) as well as towards necessities for infants. For information about school clothing, please go to Educational Grants.

Counselling

Grants can be considered towards the cost of professional counselling, including marriage guidance counselling. A supporting letter from the counsellor will usually be required.

Debts

Help towards debts can sometimes be considered. It should be noted that debt relief is a formal procedure involving both the charities and the applicant’s diocese, and permission for consultation by the charities with the diocese will be required. Anyone seeking help towards debts is advised to discuss the matter with the Registrar/Secretary at an early stage.

Education

Please go to Educational Grants for details of our educational grants, including school clothing, school travel, school trips, music lessons and instruments, school fees and university maintenance grants.

Financial management courses

Grants can be considered towards the costs of financial management courses for clergy where the relevant course is approved by the applicant's bishop or archdeacon.

Heating expenses

Normally for retired clergy, widows/widowers and unmarried daughters over pensionable age who find these expenses particularly difficult to meet. Help is sometimes given to serving clergy where family illness necessitates extra heating.

Holidays

Applications can be considered from:

·       serving clergy—particularly those in parochial work;

·       retired clergy;

·       widows/widowers; and

·       separated or divorced spouses if still dependent on their clergy spouses.

In addition, applicants who live in an area that is considered ‘unsafe’ may, with their archdeacon’s support, apply for a grant to help with the cost of employing someone to look after their home while they are away.

Notes: 

1. Holiday grants will not normally be awarded more frequently than once every two years.

2. Holiday grants are not awarded in retrospect and applications for holiday grants should be submitted at least two months before the proposed departure date.

House repairs and decoration

For retired clergy, widows/widowers, unmarried daughters and separated or divorced spouses. Help can be considered for essential work only. No assistance can be given in respect of repairs or decorations to property that is not owned by the applicant, nor to property for which a third party is responsible for the work in question.

Medical expenses

Grants towards the costs of medical treatment and medical aids can be considered where the treatment/aids cannot be provided on the NHS. A supporting letter from the applicant’s doctor or other specialist will be required. The possibility of using St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy at 14 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6AH (telephone number 020 7388 4954) should be explored in appropriate cases.

Nursing home fees

Help can be considered towards the costs of nursing home care where the shortfall in fees cannot be met by the State, church pension authority, local authority or family.

Ordinands

Book grants can be considered for those training for the ordained ministry. Applications have to be supported by the principal of the applicant’s training establishment.

Removals and resettlement

Grants can be considered for:

• serving clergy on taking up a new appointment, where costs are not covered by diocesan and other grants;
• clergy moving to the UK or Ireland from an overseas appointment (but only from the point of entry into the UK/Ireland);
• clergy at the time of retirement, although any lump sum payable on retirement will be taken into account; and
• retired clergy, widows/widowers, elderly unmarried daughters and separated or divorced spouses.

Sabbaticals

Grants towards sabbatical costs can be considered provided that the sabbatical is supported financially by the Diocese.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT

If you feel that you are eligible for consideration, please write to us or email us with the necessary details and request an application form.

Please then complete the application form fully and return it to us with all necessary supporting documentation referred to in the form as soon as possible. Failure to complete the form fully or to send all the supporting documentation invariably causes delay in processing the application.

Areas within Grants Educational Grants