Financial assistance
There are several grants and funding opportunities that are available at any time. These include:
Emergency Grant (Capital Works)
Congregations may apply for up to $10,000 from the Capital Works Fund, to assist with urgent repairs or works that are not covered by insurance and the congregation is unable to fund fully itself. The application requires the congregation to demonstrate the need for the works and to provide information as to its financial position. Please note any building works will also require the separate approval of the building scope and costing.
Grants can be considered at any time of the year, assessed through the Property Applications Review Team (PART)
For more information go to our Property page
Emergency Grant from the Sustentation Fund
Congregations may apply for up to $10,000 to assist with the cost of stipend for a minister in placement, which the congregation is unable to cover themselves. This grant is to allow time for a presbytery consultation of Life and Witness of the congregation to determine its future and also ensure the minister is paid during this period. The application requires the congregation to provide information regarding its financial position and a cash flow for the period the grant is to cover. Successful grants will be paid in monthly instalments for a nominated period up to 12 months.
Grants can be considered at any time of the year, assessed through the Property Applications Review Team (PART)
For more information go to our Property page
Grant from the Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Congregations may apply for a grant to contribute up to 50 per cent of the cost of disability access works, such as accessible toilets and ramps, up to a maximum amount of $50,000. The application requires the congregation to provide details of the scope and cost of works, plus information detailing how the remainder of the project will be funded. All proposed works are to comply with the Australian Standard (AS 1428.1) for disability access. Please note any building works will also require the separate approval of the building scope and costing.
Grants can be considered at any time of the year, assessed through the Property Applications Review Team (PART)
For more information go to our Property page
Congregational Debt Relief Grant
Grants are available from the Congregational Debt Relief Fund, to assist a congregation with the repayment of loan debt held with UEthical. Grant programs are held annually.
Completed applications are submitted via presbytery to the Grants Coordinator by the nominated date. The proposals are considered by the Mission Grants Executive, and applicants will be advised of the outcome and payments distributed in November.
This grant program is open for applications in August 2022.
Access to Property Sale Proceeds
Congregations may access proceeds from the sale of church property to assist with a range of projects, including:
- Capital projects – including repair, refurbishment and redevelopment of existing property, plus buying new property.
- In certain circumstances, a congregation may access the capital for non-capital purposes. These include projects of high missional priority and, for small rural congregations, operational purposes to extend ministry in the region.
- Assistance with the payment of manse allowance. The proceeds from the sale of a manse may be reserved for manse purposes, either to buy a new manse or to invest the funds and use the interest earned to assist with Manse Allowance payments to the minister in placement.
- Investment of proceeds into an Interest Only Mission Fund, whereby the interest earned is distributed to support a specified and approved mission project.
Please note any building works or property purchase will also require the separate approval of the project scope and costing.
For more information go to our Property page
More information
Contact our grants coordinator, Natalie Brown, on (03) 9251 5420 or grants@victas.uca.org.au