Property

Financial assistance may be available to supplement, rather than replace, local investment in property assets. These funding programs are overseen by the Property Application review Team (PART). Funding may be applied for alongside normal property project application forms and processes.

Grants can be considered at any time of the year via application to PART. The application requires the congregation to demonstrate the need for the works and to provide information as to its financial position. Please note any building works still require relevant forms and approval of the building scope and costing.

Any funding provided by Synod may be recovered from property sale proceeds where the property is sold within 10 years of funding being provided.

Funding programs are summarised below with further information available in the “Synod Property Works Financial Assistance Framework”.

Property funding programs include the below:

Capital Works

• Financial assistance for mission-focused property development and maintenance projects.
• A maximum limit of to $50,000 per property/operational site applies, and there may be a requirement for Synod contribution to be matched by local funding.
• Once approved, funds may be utilised can be accessed for up to two years.

Emergency Capital Works

• Financial assistance to for urgent repairs or works that are not covered by insurance.
• A maximum limit of up to $10,000 per property/operational site applies, and there may be a requirement for Synod contribution to be matched by local funding.
• Form 3C – Application for DAF/Emergency Grant – alongside Form 3H Application to Build

Heritage Works

• Financial assistance for required heritage works on heritage classified properties.
• A maximum limit of up to $50,000 per property/operational site applies, and there may be a requirement for Synod contribution to be matched by local funding.

Disability Upgrade Works

• Financial assistance to support disability access upgrades to buildings such as accessible toilets and ramps. All proposed works are to comply with the Australian Standard (AS 1428.1) for disability access.
• Funding may cover up to 50% of total cost of works, with a maximum limit of up to $50,000 per property/operational site applies.
• Form 3C – Application for DAF/Emergency Grant – alongside Form 3H Application to Build

Essential Safety Measures (ESM) Support

• Financial assistance to support costs associated with meeting ESM compliance requirements for buildings.
• Funding may cover up to 50% of total cost of works. No set maximum funding amount per property applies.

Other funding opportunities may be available to congregations, including:

• Access to proceeds from a property sale to assist with capital projects and, if eligible, some missional or operational projects
• Access to proceeds from a property sale to invest in an interest-only Mission Fund (IOMF) where the interest earned may be used for a mission project, or in the Money for Mission Fund (MFMF) where interest earned may be used as determined by the UCA responsible body.