Sylvanus Lysons grant-making charity

Welcome to Sylvanus Lysons.

We are a local grant-making charity which works to support the mission and ministry of the Church of England in the Diocese of Gloucester.

We are keen to support initiatives that seek to bring hope and healing in areas where it is most needed, through the living out of the Christian gospel.

We welcome applications from parishes, groups of churches and Christian organisations within the Diocese of Gloucester. We are keen to support new and imaginative initiatives – however large or small – and particularly appreciate the opportunity to ‘seed fund’ new projects.

Typical grant-making activities include:

•  work with disadvantaged or disabled young persons and adults;
• local church based mission projects, including youth and childrens’ work,  that align with Deanery and Diocesan strategic vision and plans.
• support for local community initiatives in which the church is engaged.
• The charity also supports clergy and licensed ministers for further ministerial study.

Please note that the charity does not give grants towards maintenance or repair of the fabric of churches and other buildings.

New for 2026: Small Projects set up Grants

Sylvanus Lysons Charity is offering a limited number of grants of up to £2,000.  These will be offered to churches for initiatives which enable the church to engage with the needs of the local community.

Do you have an idea for a manageable project, either long term or as a once off event, and need a small amount of funding to get it started?

Examples of similar grants awarded by the Trustees in the past include : setting up of a Lego club; an after school drop in club; a church based Community choir; a Summer music festival in the church grounds; renewing a Lunch club for the elderly;  running a local Mission weekend; and a 2 day IT training for the elderly in a rural community.

Applications will be assessed by the Trustees on a competitive basis.  Please refer to the Grants Application page of this site (scroll down) for application information, and/or email Helen Sammon at moc.l1776457056iamg@1776457056snosy1776457056lsuna1776457056vlys1776457056 for a preliminary conversation about your project idea.  Closing date for the first round of applications is 23^rd March.

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Forthcoming Trustees meetings – for grant applications :

17th April 2026 (closing date Monday 23rd March)

16th July 2026 (closing date Monday 22nd June)

13th November (closing date Monday 19th October)