Plain-language grant guidance
Approvals to organise before a church grant application
A good project can still stall when the applying body, property owner or denominational authority has not approved it.
Map approvals before quotes and application writing. External grant approval never replaces planning, heritage, property-owner, diocesan, synod or board authority.
Common approval layers
The right path depends on legal structure and project type.
- Parish or congregation resolution
- Property trust or owner consent
- Presbytery, diocese, synod or denominational approval
- Planning, building and heritage approvals
Evidence to retain
Keep approvals clear enough for both the funder and later acquittal.
- Signed minutes or resolution
- Delegation or authority to sign
- Owner consent
- Conditions and expiry dates
Official sources and how to use them
This checklist is editorial guidance. The sources below explain specific concepts or program examples; they do not make every church or project eligible.
- NSW Government: Community Building Partnership 2026 FAQs
A specific program example covering the applicant, project, owner consent, planning approvals and funding contributions. Use it to understand the questions, then check your chosen program’s own rules. This is not an open-round recommendation.
- ACNC: legal structure
Explains legal identity, decision-making and the relationship between a governing document and the entity recorded against an ABN.
Background links checked 17 September 2026. Each grant record has its own source verification date.
Important boundary
Guidance, not a determination
These patterns help you ask better questions. The current program guidelines and the funder’s decision control.