Bristol Cathedral Trust

Bristol Cathedral Trust is an independent charity established in 1989 with the singular mission of raising funds to preserve, restore, and maintain Bristol Cathedral—a Grade I listed heritage site central to Bristol’s civic, faith, and cultural life. Guided by principles of stewardship, integrity, effectiveness, and inclusivity, it channels philanthropic support from individuals, organizations, and the community to safeguard the cathedral’s architectural integrity, enhance accessibility (including for disabilities), and ensure its role as a welcoming space for worship, heritage, education, and public gathering.

The Trust funds highly specific capital projects led by or in partnership with the Cathedral Chapter, including restoration of the organ, rose window, bells, Chapter House roof, fire alarms, heating systems, and major accessibility upgrades; improvements to public areas like the café, visitor facilities, and interpretive displays; and educational programs on the cathedral’s history, the Church’s role, and choral music. Beneficiaries encompass cathedral visitors, worshippers, the Bristol community, and audiences for choral and educational activities, all within a Christian context.

Eligibility is extremely narrow: only Bristol Cathedral or its direct partners qualify, with funding confined strictly to projects within the cathedral precinct in Bristol, England; no other entities, regardless of size or income, are supported, and unsolicited applications are not accepted. Grants, decided internally at ad hoc trustee meetings with no published deadlines or application process, typically range from £25,000 to £182,000, tailored to project scale for restoration, infrastructure, or linked educational roles.

Exclusions are absolute—no support for external charities, unrelated causes, individuals, unrestricted core costs, or projects beyond the cathedral—distinguishing the Trust as the principal advocate and funder for this unique historic landmark’s survival and evolution, prioritizing public benefit and ethical stewardship over broader interventions.