Grants for Churches 2026: Repairs, Buildings, Programs

The single biggest misconception about church funding is that government grants are always off-limits to religious organizations. They are not categorically off-limits, but the applicable program, notice, and use-of-funds rules decide whether a church can compete and what it may fund.

The common mistake is treating a grant listing as proof that a church may fund every part of its work. This guide separates the stable legal and tax-status checks from the current funding terms that must come from the live notice.

For a deeper look at the legal framework covering all faith-based organizations, including religious nonprofits that aren't houses of worship, see our full guide on grants for faith-based organizations.

Current Church Grant Routes at a Glance

Grantsights decision rule: if the source names a state agency, city, Continuum of Care, food bank, or other intermediary as the applicant, the church has a partnership or subrecipient path, not a direct federal application. That single distinction removes many false-positive listings from a church grant search.

Churches Can Get Federal Grants for Social Services

Faith-based organizations can compete for eligible federal social-service funding without surrendering their religious identity, but that principle does not create eligibility for a particular notice. The issuing agency's current NOFO, statute, and award terms remain the authority.

Each agency's faith-based rule, as revised by the 2020 final rules (opens in a new tab) and amended again by a nine-agency rule on March 4, 2024 (opens in a new tab), establishes that churches:

• Do not have to change their internal governance to receive federal funds
• Do not have to remove religious symbols from their facilities
• Do not have to create a separate 501(c)(3) to receive grants
• Keep their religious hiring exemption. According to HUD's rule at 24 CFR 5.109 (opens in a new tab), a religious organization's Title VII exemption "is not forfeited" when it takes part in a HUD program, and HHS and USDA say the same; a few program statutes add their own nondiscrimination rules, so check the notice

What Churches Can't Use Grant Money For

Here's where the line is drawn. Direct federal grant money can't fund "explicitly religious activities," the term in the current HHS, HUD, and USDA rules (45 CFR 87.3(d) (opens in a new tab), 24 CFR 5.109(e) (opens in a new tab), 7 CFR 16.3(b) (opens in a new tab)). That includes:

• Worship services (Sunday services, prayer meetings, revival services)
• Religious instruction (Bible study, catechism, Sunday school with devotional content)
• Proselytization (evangelism, witnessing, altar calls, invitations to accept faith)
• Religious materials used for devotional purposes (Bibles, prayer books, hymnals purchased with grant funds)

The Separation Requirement

If your church runs both grant-funded social services and religious activities, the religious activities must be:

1. Separate in time or location from the grant-funded program
2. Voluntary for program participants
3. Not a condition of receiving services

Example that works: Your church runs a federally funded job training program on weekday mornings. You also hold a voluntary Bible study on Wednesday evenings. Participants in the job training program are welcome to attend Bible study but aren't required to, and the programs operate at different times. That's compliant.

Example that doesn't work: Your church runs a federally funded food bank and requires all recipients to attend a brief prayer session before receiving food. That's a compliance violation because participation in a religious activity is a condition of receiving services.

What Isn't Restricted

The restrictions apply to activities, not to identity. A church can:

• Keep crosses, stained glass, scripture, and religious art on display during grant-funded programs
• Maintain a faith-based mission statement
• Keep its religious hiring exemption under Title VII, whichever money pays the position, unless the program's own statute says otherwise
• Operate grant-funded programs in the same building where worship occurs (just not at the same time)

FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program: FY2026 Is Closed

According to Grants.gov, the FY2026 FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (opens in a new tab) listed $300 million in total program funding, closed July 24, 2026, and archived August 23. It supported physical and cybersecurity and facility hardening for nonprofit facilities at risk of terrorist or other extremist attack. The closed notice is evidence for the route, not an open application.

Current Cycle Checks

The FY2026 notice lists State Administrative Agencies as the eligible federal applicants. A church or other nonprofit works through its state process as a subapplicant. Before the next cycle, ask the state agency for its deadline and required forms, then verify the new FEMA notice rather than copying the closed FY2026 calendar.

What NSGP Doesn't Cover

Do not infer that a cost is eligible from a previous year's approved list. The current notice and award conditions decide whether a proposed physical-security, training, personnel, cyber, or maintenance cost can be included.

How to Apply

The NSGP application doesn't go directly to FEMA. You apply through your State Administrative Agency (SAA), which is the state office that manages all FEMA preparedness grants. The process requires:

1. A vulnerability assessment documenting your organization's security risks
2. An Investment Justification (IJ) describing what you'll purchase and why
3. Mission documentation and any policies that may increase your risk profile
4. SAM.gov registration with a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which you can get by following the SAM.gov registration process

Important: Confirm the current award and cash-flow terms before committing a vendor or setting an internal project budget. Those terms can differ by notice and state administration.

HUD Grants for Homeless Services and Housing

HUD funding can reach local homeless-service providers through federal, state, local, and Continuum of Care processes. Churches should check the current local competition and subrecipient rules rather than treating a national appropriation figure as a local application route.

Continuum of Care Program

The Continuum of Care (CoC) (opens in a new tab) program is HUD's primary competitive grant for homeless services. It funds:

• Emergency shelter operations
• Transitional housing
• Permanent supportive housing
• Rapid rehousing
• Homeless prevention

Churches that operate shelters, transitional housing, or other homeless services may participate through their local Continuum of Care or as a subrecipient when the current competition permits it. Confirm the local project's eligible activity, coordinated-entry rules, match, operating standards, and application process before pursuing a route.

Emergency Solutions Grants

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) fund street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, and rapid rehousing. These flow through states and cities, which can subgrant to churches and other nonprofits operating homeless services.

SAMHSA Grants for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration distributes substantial funding for behavioral health services, and faith-based organizations have been specifically invited to participate.

SAMHSA publishes live behavioral-health opportunities and states administer some block-grant and subaward routes. Whether a church or related nonprofit is eligible, whether licensed services are required, and whether a route is open must be confirmed from the current agency, state, or local notice.

What Churches Can Fund Through SAMHSA

• Substance abuse prevention programs
• Recovery support services
• Mental health counseling (must use licensed professionals)
• Peer recovery coaching
• Youth substance abuse prevention education

The same separation rules apply: the substance abuse program must be distinct from any religious programming, and participation in religious activities can't be required.

Food Programs for Churches

Many churches already run food banks, soup kitchens, and meal programs. Several federal programs can help fund these efforts:

USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP provides USDA commodities to states, which distribute them through emergency food organizations including food banks. Churches participating in food bank networks can receive TEFAP commodities at no cost.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

Local governments receive CDBG funding from HUD and can sub-award to churches operating food distribution programs, provided the programs serve the broader community and don't include mandatory religious content.

Private Food Program Grants

Organizations like Feeding America, local community foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs fund church-based food programs. These often have simpler applications than federal grants.

Historic Preservation Grants for Churches

If the project is a roof, storm repair, solar array, or other work on the building itself, the church repair grants guide sorts each funding route by repair type and lists its October 2026 status.

According to the National Fund for Sacred Places program, its next listed cycle opens January 12, 2027. Historic designation, community use, ownership, project scope, and match still decide whether a building-repair idea belongs on a preservation route. For additional capital-route context, compare the federal grants for nonprofits guide.

National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund

The NPS Historic Preservation Fund (opens in a new tab) supports preservation grant programs, many of which flow through State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs). Current programs may cover work such as:

• Structural repairs and stabilization
• Roof replacement and repair
• Window restoration
• Masonry repair
• Architectural surveys and documentation

Historic designation, ownership, scope, match, and public-benefit rules vary by program. Check current availability and eligibility with the SHPO before treating a project as fundable.

National Fund for Sacred Places

According to the National Fund for Sacred Places program, its current route (opens in a new tab) lists matching capital grants from $50,000 to $500,000, a January 12, 2027 launch, and a March 3, 2027 deadline at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for eligible community-serving historic houses of worship.

To qualify, your congregation must:

• Be actively using the building for worship and community programs
• Have a building of historic or architectural significance
• Demonstrate community engagement beyond the congregation

State and Local Government Grants for Churches

Beyond federal programs, state and local governments offer grants that churches can access:

• State block grant sub-awards: States receive federal block grants (CDBG, SAMHSA, TANF) and distribute portions to community organizations
• State historic preservation grants: Funded through federal HPF pass-throughs and state appropriations
• Local community development grants: Cities and counties fund social services, food programs, and housing through local grant programs
• Emergency management grants: Some states run supplemental security or disaster preparedness grants beyond FEMA's NSGP

Contact your state grants office to identify programs available in your area.

Private Foundation Grants for Churches

Private foundations represent a major funding source for churches, and they come with fewer restrictions than government grants.

Lilly Endowment

The Lilly Endowment is one of the largest private philanthropic foundations in the United States, with a specific focus on religion. It funds leadership development, pastoral health, congregational vitality, and theological education. Grants typically flow through intermediary organizations rather than directly to individual churches.

Denominational and Private Routes

Denominations, private foundations, and local community foundations may offer church-focused support. Their eligibility, amount, and calendar can change without a federal notice cycle. Use the funder's current application page, and verify that its purpose fits the proposed work before committing proposal time.

Community Foundations

Local community foundations are an overlooked resource. Many have donor-advised funds or endowments specifically designated for religious organizations or community services operated by churches.

501(c)(3) Status: What Churches Actually Need

According to IRS church guidance (opens in a new tab), qualifying churches are automatically considered tax exempt without applying for recognition. That does not prevent a funder from requesting documentation.

Churches Are Automatically Tax-Exempt

The IRS automatically recognizes churches as 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations without requiring them to file Form 1023. This is unique to churches and religious organizations. Under IRC Section 508(c)(1)(A) (opens in a new tab), churches are exempt from the requirement to apply for recognition of tax-exempt status.

But Documentation Helps

While qualifying churches are automatically considered tax exempt, a grantmaker may still ask for a determination letter or other documentation. According to IRS Form 1023-EZ instructions (opens in a new tab), a church seeking its own IRS determination letter must file Form 1023 and is not eligible to use Form 1023-EZ.

Denominational Coverage

Some churches are covered under their denomination's group exemption letter rather than having individual determination letters. The denomination's national office can provide documentation confirming your church is included in the group exemption.

When a Separate Nonprofit Makes Sense

Some churches create a separate 501(c)(3) organization specifically to manage grant-funded programs. This isn't required under federal rules, but it offers practical advantages:

• Cleaner financial separation between church operations and grant programs
• Easier audit trails when a funded program has separate staff, costs, and records
• Simplified compliance with procurement standards for federal grants
• A board structure that may be more appealing to secular funders

What a Funding Notice Doesn't Tell You: Church Readiness Screen

The public listing can establish that a route exists. It does not establish whether a church can make the required separation, registrations, records, partner commitments, procurement, and delivery plan work before the deadline. Use this source screen after finding a live notice.

According to the HHS federal funding guide (opens in a new tab), direct federal funds cannot support worship, religious instruction, or proselytization and the related activities should be separated in time or location. According to the IRS church guide (opens in a new tab), churches that meet section 501(c)(3) requirements are automatically tax-exempt and need not apply for recognition. Those sources establish the stable boundary. The live funding notice determines the actual route.

Common Misconceptions About Church Grants

Misconception 1: "Churches can't get any government money"

False. Faith-based organizations may compete for eligible federal social-service funding, but the current notice still controls applicant type and permitted activity.

Misconception 2: "You have to remove crosses and religious symbols"

False. The agencies' faith-based rules specifically state that faith-based organizations don't have to alter their internal governance, remove religious art or symbols, or change their religious identity as a condition of receiving federal funds.

Misconception 3: "You need to start a separate nonprofit"

False. Churches can receive federal grants directly. Creating a separate nonprofit is a strategic choice, not a legal requirement.

Misconception 4: "Government grants will let the government control our church"

Grant compliance requirements apply to the grant-funded program, not to the church's religious activities. The government can audit how you spent grant money, but it has no authority over your worship services, religious teachings, or internal governance.

Misconception 5: "Small churches can't compete for grants"

Organization size alone does not decide fit. A small congregation can compete when the notice permits its applicant type and the team can document the project, controls, match, partners, and delivery capacity. It should not infer eligibility from a generic church-grant list.

Church Funding Guides by Need

Each of these goes deeper on one question this overview only touches:

• Foundations that give grants to churches: how to find them in 990-PF filings and tell a one-church funder from one that gives widely.
• Government grants for churches: which federal programs pay church-run services, and the worship-space limits.
• Best federal grants for faith-based nonprofits: nine federal programs ranked by how realistic they are for a congregation or ministry.
• Grants for faith-based organizations: the agency rules for faith-based nonprofits and ministries, including hiring and beneficiary notices.
• Church building repair grants: roofs, storm damage, historic sanctuaries and energy work.
• Grants for small churches: realistic sizes and sources for a congregation without staff.
• How to apply for church grants: tax-exempt proof, SAM.gov timing and the document packet.
• Church security grants: the Nonprofit Security Grant Program cycle and state security programs.
• Church food pantry grants: TEFAP, EFSP and food bank partnerships.
• Church youth program grants: after-school, summer meals and mentoring money.
• Funding to buy or build a church: why grants rarely cover it and what does.

By state, with each state's foundation giving to churches, its rules on public money for religious groups and the state programs churches can reach: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.

FAQ: Common Questions

Can churches get government grants?

Yes. Churches can receive federal, state, and local government grants for social service programs like homeless services, food distribution, substance abuse treatment, and job training. Each agency's faith-based rule requires equal treatment of faith-based organizations in federal grant competitions. The restriction is that direct government grant dollars can't fund worship, religious instruction, or proselytization. Those activities must be separate from the grant-funded program.

What can't churches use government grants for?

Direct government grant money can't pay for explicitly religious activities: worship services, religious instruction, proselytization, devotional activities, or purchasing religious materials like Bibles or prayer books. The restriction applies to the grant-funded program specifically. A church can run a federally funded food bank on Monday and hold Bible study on Tuesday in the same building. What it can't do is require food bank participants to attend a prayer session before receiving food.

Does a church need 501(c)(3) status to apply for grants?

Churches that meet Section 501(c)(3) requirements are automatically considered tax exempt and do not have to apply for IRS recognition. A funder may still require documentation. A church seeking its own determination letter must use Form 1023, not Form 1023-EZ. Some congregations can document inclusion in a denomination's group exemption instead.

Can churches apply for FEMA security grants?

Houses of worship may be eligible for the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program through their State Administrative Agency. The FY2026 notice (opens in a new tab) closed July 24, 2026 and archived August 23. Use it to understand the route, then follow the state agency and the next federal notice for a new deadline, forms, and eligible-cost rules.

Are there grants for repairing historic church buildings?

Historic-preservation funding may be available through State Historic Preservation Offices and private funders such as the National Fund for Sacred Places (opens in a new tab). Confirm the active program's historic-status, ownership, project-scope, match, and deadline requirements before treating a repair project as eligible.

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Sources

1. FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program (opens in a new tab) - current NSGP notices and application information
2. Equal Participation Final Regulations (2020) (opens in a new tab), as amended by the March 4, 2024 final rule (opens in a new tab) - Federal rules governing faith-based grant recipients
3. National Fund for Sacred Places (opens in a new tab) - Historic preservation grants specifically for religious properties
4. NPS Historic Preservation Fund Grant Programs (opens in a new tab) - Federal historic preservation funding
5. SAMHSA Grants (opens in a new tab) - Behavioral health grant programs open to faith-based organizations
6. HUD Continuum of Care Program (opens in a new tab) - Homeless services grant program
7. FY2026 NSGP opportunity (opens in a new tab) - closed-cycle status, federal applicant, and program funding
8. IRS Form 1023-EZ instructions (opens in a new tab) - church eligibility restriction for the streamlined form
9. IRS church exemption guidance (opens in a new tab) - automatic exemption and optional recognition