Guidelines
 

The Westminster Fund is a UK charity supporting the promotion and extension of Christian Science in the UK.  Over the past few years, grants have been awarded to support a range of activities including:

• Accredited Christian Science Nursing Facilities in the UK and Europe 
• The Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Facilities/Organizations. 
• Youth Groups in the UK and mainland Europe
• Lectures in Europe
• Building projects in the UK and mainland Europe
• Christian Science events: Focus; UK Summit; Rencontre et Partage, France; Arc en ciel 
• General donations to UK Christian Science Churches and Societies
• Grants to support the staffing of Christian Science Reading Rooms 
• York Joint Christian Science Reading Room

Who we help

Christian Science Churches, Societies, Informal Groups, College Organisations; Young people attending youth meetings which promote their understanding and practice of Christian Science (applications for these events will need to come from the group organising the event, or from a sponsoring church or society).

How we can help

We are open to creative ideas and will support financially a variety of Christian Science activities and projects, generally subject to there being a financial need.  Please call our administrator on 07777 120432 if you’d like to talk through your ideas before making an application.

Applications from within the UK are welcomed for the following projects:

Reading Rooms: Branch churches and societies looking to extend their current opening hours can apply for a grant of up to £12k for a three-year period, to be reviewed annually.   Please see separate guidelines for this project or call Kristina on 07777 120432 for more information.

Youth Groups:  Focus UK, Easter Camp and other youth groups are welcome to apply for funding to support youth camps and events which support the understanding and practice of Christian Science.  The Westminster Fund cannot support individuals, so applications need to come from the group organising the event.   

CS Families:  The Westminster Fund will offer financial support to branch churches looking to sponsor families attending Christian Science camps in the UK, mainland Europe, and the US.

Accredited Christian Science Nursing Facilities:  Assistance may be available towards the cost of running accredited CS nurse training programmes wherever delivered.  The fund will also consider applications for assistance with costs of building work required to comply with local regulations.  Improvements and additions to facilities may also be supported where the investment is sustainable into the future. 

Applications from mainland Europe are welcomed for the following:

Christian Science Lectures

If you’re enquiring from mainland Europe (i.e. not the UK), the Westminster Fund will normally give financial support of up to 75% of all lecture costs for churches, societies, informal groups and college organisations meeting the criteria below.  

Churches         A contribution of up to 75% of all lecture costs for second and subsequent lectures held in the same year 

Societies          A contribution of up to 75% of all lecture costs

Informal Groups    A contribution of up to 75% of all lecture costs.  The application must be sponsored by a Church or Society

College Organizations    Contributions of at least 75% of all lecture costs

Youth Groups

Applications for funding welcomed from groups supporting Christian Science youth and family groups.

Media and Technology Development 

A contribution of up to 75% may be given to Churches wishing to upgrade their information technology, for example: 

• Video/audio conferencing systems, e.g Zoom 
• Livestreaming online church services and Christian Science lectures
• Website development.   There must be a sustainable plan to maintain and update the website going forward.

Financial assistance does not include on-going subscriptions or maintenance fees.

Building Assistance

Assistance may be available to branches for structural and other repair work to buildings, including refurbishment and enhancements to buildings and environs, and for those branches moving to more efficient settings and for seeking compliance with local accessibility and safety regulations.  Grants will not normally be given for routine maintenance.

Accredited Christian Science Nursing Facilities in mainland Europe

• Assistance may be available towards the cost of running accredited CS nurse training programmes wherever delivered.
• The Fund will consider applications for assistance with costs of building work required to comply with local regulations.  Improvements and additions to facilities may also be supported where the investment is sustainable into the future. 

How to apply

• If you consider that a financial need exists, then please contact administrator@thewestminsterfund.co.uk for the relevant application form 
• An application should be submitted before any expenses are incurred, and where appropriate, comparable competitive quotations obtained.
• The application should be submitted by the Clerk of the Christian Science Church, Society, Informal Group, College Organisation, or Administrator of the CS Facility or Youth Group
• The applicant normally contributes at least 25% of the total cost of the project.
• Please note that funding is not automatic and may not always be to the maximum amount requested.  All applications are considered individually. When making a decision on an application, the total funds available to the organisation will be taken into account, including donations, investments and reserves.  Please note how an application may impact the organisation’s financial status. 
• Please note no ongoing funding is normally available for any project or initiative.
• A fruitage report should be submitted at the end of each project.

                                           These guidelines are reviewed annually