Guidelines
 

The Westminster Fund is a UK charity supporting the promotion and extension of Christian Science in the UK and mainland Europe.  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 mainland Europe
• Youth Groups in the UK and mainland Europe
• Lectures in France
• Book fairs in Germany
• Building projects in the UK and mainland Europe
• Rencontre et Partage, Paris
• Le Verger CS Nurses Training Programme
• General donations to all UK Churches and Societies
• Grants to TMC’s Developing Areas Fund
• Grants to TMC’s Translations Department

Who we help

Christian Science Churches, Societies, Informal Groups, College Organisations; Christian Science Nurses attending national and international conferences and other activities specific to their position; Committees on Publication; 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)

The Westminster Fund will also consider applications from individual Christian Scientists who are Mother Church appointees for activities specific to their position.

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 01483 416309 if you’d like to talk through your ideas before making an application. 

Enquiries from mainland Europe 

If you’re enquiry is from mainland Europe (i.e. not the UK), the Westminster Fund will normally give financial aid as follows:

Lectures given by:

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

Societies: Contribution of up to 75% of all lecture costs

Informal Groups: Contribution of up to 75% of all lecture costs. The application for the lecture must be sponsored by a Church or         Society.

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

Reading Rooms

Contributions of up to 75% will be considered to support the upgrade/enhancement of Reading Rooms to improve their visibility and outreach potential; e.g. daylight window display screens and display facilities.   Opening hours and availability to the public will be taken into account.

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 services
• Website development.   There must be a sustainable plan to maintain and update the website going forward.

Financial assistance does not include on-going subscription 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 also 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 both mainland Europe & the UK

• 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.

Enquiries from the UK

Most Church Manual based activities in the UK are supported by The Christian Science Trust in GB, and it is usual for requests for funding to be supported by the Trust. However, if you have a special project you would like to discuss with the Westminster Fund, please call our administrator and we’ll see if your request fits within the Westminster Fund’s charitable purposes.  

How to apply

• If you consider that a financial need exists, then please complete an 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, or College Organisation.
• 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.  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 include how an application may impact the organisation’s budget for the year.
• Please note no ongoing funding is available for any project or initiative.
• A fruitage report should be submitted at the end of each project.

                                                                                                These guidelines are reviewed annually (Oct 2021)