What Types of Grants Are Available for Churches in 2025?
7 Grants Available for Churches in 2025
1. Faith-Based Community Development Grant (FBCDG)
This federal grant supports churches involved in community-based initiatives. From building affordable housing to running after-school programs, FBCDG helps churches tackle social challenges through structured development efforts.
2. Rural Church Revitalization Fund
This grant assists small churches in rural areas with building repairs, pastoral support, and outreach development. In 2025, it's expanded to include broadband upgrades for virtual services.
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3. Historic Church Preservation Grant
If your church is a registered historic site, this grant supports preservation and restoration efforts. In 2025, eligibility has been extended to churches with over 75 years of service and notable architectural value.
4. COVID-19 Recovery Church Assistance Grant
Though the pandemic has passed, its effects linger. This grant helps churches that experienced long-term financial setbacks regain stability, particularly for restarting outreach ministries or food banks.
5. Eco-Church Sustainability Grant
This eco-conscious grant funds churches implementing green initiatives like solar panels, rainwater collection systems, or community gardens. Sustainability is a major funding theme in 2025.
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6. Multi-Faith Youth Empowerment Grant
Focusing on interfaith collaboration, this grant supports youth programs that foster understanding and unity among various faiths through camps, workshops, and mentorship initiatives.
7. Church Technology Enhancement Grant (CTEG)
As churches embrace digital platforms, CTEG helps upgrade audiovisual equipment, streaming services, and cybersecurity measures to modernize worship and administration.
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Top 5 Church Grants to Apply for in 2025
Not all grants are equal in accessibility or impact. Here are the top 5 church grants to apply for in 2025, offering broad applicability and meaningful support.
1. Lilly Endowment Religious Community Grant
This private foundation grant funds theological education, pastoral support, and leadership development. In 2025, it includes funding for diversity inclusion and intergenerational worship programs.
2. HUD Faith-Based Housing Partnership Grant
Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this grant supports churches that provide transitional housing or shelters. It’s especially helpful for churches combating homelessness.
3. National Fund for Sacred Places
This prestigious grant helps historic churches undergo major renovations. In 2025, the fund also supports upgrades that align with ADA accessibility standards.
4. United Methodist Foundation Impact Grant
While denomination-specific, this grant serves as a model for similar funding across denominations. It focuses on projects that bring measurable spiritual and social change.
5. USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
For churches in rural areas, this hybrid grant/loan package supports construction and upgrades of community-use buildings like fellowship halls, clinics, or educational centers.
10 Funding Sources for Churches in 2025
Looking beyond government funding, here are 10 diverse funding sources for churches in 2025:
1. Government Faith-Based Grants – Offered by federal and state agencies for churches engaged in public service.
2. Private Religious Foundations – Organizations like the Duke Endowment or Murdock Trust continue to fund faith-driven community projects.
3. Local Philanthropic Trusts – Many cities and counties have foundations that fund social-impact initiatives, including church programs.
4. Environmental Grant Foundations – As churches go green, they can access sustainability grants from groups like the Energy Foundation.
5. Technology Grants for Nonprofits – Tech firms like Microsoft and Google offer grants to help churches adopt digital tools.
6. Arts & Culture Grants – Churches hosting concerts, art exhibits, or cultural events can seek funding from national arts councils.
7. Health & Wellness Grants – Churches that run health fairs, clinics, or counseling centers qualify for health initiative funding.
8. Interfaith Collaboration Grants – These promote unity across religious boundaries and are offered by both NGOs and government programs.
9. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funds – Businesses often donate to faith-based groups through their CSR budgets.
10. Crowdfunded Religious Giving Platforms – In 2025, platforms like Givelify and FaithStreet partner with grant distributors to offer matching gifts and microgrants.
6 Types of Grants Churches Can Access in 2025
To navigate the funding landscape, it's useful to classify the 6 types of grants churches can access in 2025:
1. Operational Grants
Support daily functioning such as staff salaries, utility bills, and administration.
2. Capital Improvement Grants
Cover large-scale projects like roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, or sanctuary renovation.
3. Programmatic Grants
Fund specific ministries like food pantries, addiction recovery groups, or literacy classes.
4. Technological Advancement Grants
Assist with adopting digital tools for worship, communication, and management.
5. Emergency Relief Grants
Provide rapid assistance during crises like natural disasters or community tragedies.
6. Educational Grants
Support religious instruction, Sunday school resources, or theological training for clergy.
8 Essential Grants for Churches in 2025
If your church has limited resources to research or apply widely, focus on these 8 essential grants in 2025 that offer high value and broad eligibility:
1. National Faith-Based Partnership Initiative
A sweeping federal initiative in 2025, this program consolidates multiple faith-based grants under one application process.
2. Google Nonprofit Tech Grant
Provides churches with free software, marketing tools, and cloud storage—critical for digital growth.
3. Pew Charitable Trust Community Engagement Fund
Backs projects that improve public welfare through faith-led efforts like addiction support and prison ministry.
4. Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Grants
Open to all Christian churches doing grassroots anti-poverty work.
5. Presbyterian Church (USA) Transformation Grant
Helps churches reinvent ministry for the post-pandemic world with hybrid models and entrepreneurial outreach.
6. ELCA Hunger Ministry Grant
A Lutheran-driven program that supports churches tackling food insecurity at the local level.
7. Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) Mini-Grants
Promotes unity and social justice through interfaith youth action and education.
8. FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)
In light of increased threats to religious spaces, this grant helps churches boost security systems and emergency planning.
Conclusion
Grants offer churches more than just money—they provide the opportunity to extend ministry impact, revitalize communities, and embrace the modern needs of their congregations. In 2025, the funding landscape is more diverse and inclusive than ever before. Whether you're a historic urban cathedral or a rural mission church, there’s a grant designed to support your God-given mission.
By aligning your church's vision with available funding opportunities, you can create meaningful transformation. Remember, the most successful churches in 2025 will be those that boldly seek out resources, forge partnerships, and innovate their approach to ministry.
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