'We are looking to contribute towards more mission-focused small building projects' 

One of the ways Baptist Building CIO supports Baptist churches is offering grants through its Empowering Change Fund. The latest round of grants is now open for applications.

In addition, its building loans are available for green energy solutions, which some churches are exploring given the current energy crisis. Emily Blake explains more

Empowering Change Fund - grants for Baptist churches

At Baptist Building CIO, we have made grants totalling more than £200,000 to churches since setting up our Empowering Change Fund in 2020, from the Scottish Isles down to the South Coast. We are looking to contribute towards more mission-focused small building projects again next year. Our latest round of grants is now open for applications, with a deadline of 30 April 2023.

Our grants of £5,000-£25,000 are aimed at small scale standalone building projects for smaller churches (often in rural or deprived urban areas) where our involvement will make a big difference to the church’s mission.

In the last two years we’ve helped churches install disabled toilets, improve kitchens, create accessible entrances and upgrade electrics, transforming their buildings to bless the church and the local community.

We have a vision to support local Baptist church mission, providing grants towards building costs to enable church mission strategy to become a reality.

Islay Baptist Church used our grant along with other donations to redevelop their church buildings at two sites (Bowmore and Port Ellen) which were in great need of repair. The revived buildings now host men’s breakfasts, a teen café and local community groups, as well as regular church services.

'Since doing the work, we have seen our church grow in number, largely due to the new activities we are now able to host,' the church states.

'Our buildings are also warmer and more inviting making them a more attractive location for the local community to come into.'

You can read more about Islay's story, and those of other churches to have benefitted from Baptist Building CIO support, here: baptistbuilding.org/stories


Going for a greener look?

With energy prices on the rise and a greater awareness of their environmental impact, more churches are looking at green energy options for longer-term sustainable and efficient heating and lighting solutions for their buildings.

At Baptist Building CIO, our loans to Baptist churches include green energy projects, whether as a standalone solution or as part of a bigger build. So if you’re looking to upgrade your lighting to efficient LEDs, improve your heating systems by installing air source heat pumps or reduce your reliance on the grid with solar panels, we would like to help.

We offer loans of £30,000+, repayable over 10 years*. We don’t charge interest but do expect a thank-offering donation once the loan is repaid, to cover our administration costs and to help us to help other churches.

We want to enable you to expand, repair and improve your church premises to make a difference in your communities, and that includes your environmental impact. So if you need capital funding to help make your green project a reality, speak to us at Baptist Building CIO.

Churches wishing to apply for a Baptist Building CIO grant should visit the website for full details on the criteria and terms of the grants offer, and to download an application form: baptistbuilding.org/our-grants

*For more detail on the qualifying criteria and terms and conditions of our loans, visit the website here: baptistbuilding.org/our-loans

Any questions? Get in touch via admin@baptistbuilding.org or call 07506 663761 

Emily Blake is the administrator for Baptist Building CIO

Has your building been transformed by a grant or a loan? Share your story here.