Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust

The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT), founded in 1988 and incorporated as a CIO in 2018, is a specialist funder dedicated to preserving Yorkshire's Christian churches, chapels, and meeting houses of all denominations by granting funds for their repair, restoration, and conservation. Established by heritage experts to combat deterioration of these architectural and community landmarks, YHCT's mission ensures these buildings remain active for worship and public service, emphasizing preservation, inclusivity across denominations and church ages, and support for volunteer-led local efforts. Its values prioritize heritage value, community impact, and practical stewardship, fostering events like Ride+Stride to build awareness.

YHCT exclusively funds capital works to physical fabric and historic features, such as urgent repairs to roofs, masonry, stonework, spires, windows, rainwater goods, organs, clocks, stained glass, monuments, and investigatory surveys. Beneficiaries are congregations of any Christian tradition in the historic county of Yorkshire (North, East, West, South), from rural chapels to urban churches, listed or unlisted, provided they host regular worship—no size or income thresholds apply.

Unsolicited applications from eligible churches are accepted via downloadable email form to grants@yhct.org.uk, requiring professional estimates, permissions, and qualified oversight; biannual Grants Committee meetings (April/September) review submissions, with next deadline 13 February 2026 and decisions in 4–8 weeks. Typical grants range £1,000–£10,000 (averaging £5,000–£7,000), favoring projects with strong local fundraising to close deficits.

YHCT excludes core costs, salaries, activities, or unrestricted support, distinguishing itself as Yorkshire's principal church fabric funder through detailed site visits, broad inclusivity, and a collaborative network enabling living heritage for spiritual and civic benefit.