Securing a grant for your parish project can be hugely beneficial.
Plenty of help and guidance is available including planning, searching for funding and getting your project off the ground:
- Council for Social Aid provides both small and large grants to help tackle poverty across the Manchester Diocese, with small grants up to £8,000, and large grants up to £30,000. Applications for both small grants and large grants are considered by a panel of Trustees, with large grants applications shortlisted, and the proposed project visited by a CSA Trustee.
- St Agnes Fund grants of up to £150 for people in dire need (i.e. for food, clothing, and essential household items). Grants are paid via the diocesan BACS system directly to parish accounts. Applications are only accepted from a parish for someone living within the boundary of that parish. To request a grant you must complete a short form providing the person's name, amount requested, brief details of what the grant is for and the parish making the grant application.
- Church Building Grants and Loans are for urgent repair work to the church building. They can be used towards match funding for heritage grants or other major repair work. Loans are interinterest-freeare usually paid over 3 years. Grants are for a maximum of £15,000 and Loans a maximum of £10,000.
- Maintenance of Ministry These small grants are given to assist parishes which are struggling to meet the day-to-day working expenses of their stipendiary clergy. They are usually for no more than £1,000 per annum.
- External Funding opportunities There are plenty of external funding options and resources available, depending on your project's needs.
- Personal Grants for Clergy - clergy wishing to claim a grant to help with their personal circumstances should contact their Archdeacon.
Most churches at some point find themselves embarking on a fundraising campaign and there are a plethora of funders and application processes that can initially be overwhelming.
Follow our top ten tips on bidding for funding!
- Pick the right grant Follow the funder's criteria and make sure your funding proposal meets the criteria of the funding body. Submitting applications that don't meet the criteria is likely to annoy funders and lead to automatic rejection.
- Know your funding source Do your research about the funding body and where they distribute their funds. The more you know about them, the more you will be able to demonstrate that you understand their organisation and their needs.
- Don't duplicate Funders are unlikely to fund something that is already being done by others in your area. Show how your project is different.
- Use simple and concise language Make every word count. Be mindful of the word limit. Use positive language, review each answer and illuminate unnecessary words. Get someone not directly involved with the project to proofread the application.
- Wow your audience! Demonstrate how your project will tackle an issue in a refreshing and effective way.
- Find local priorities Funders want evidence that you know the local priorities. Don't assume you know what the community needs; do your homework and carry out research through community audits, community consultation and developing partnerships. Indicate how your project fits into the wider picture.
- Prepare an annual report/business plan Showcase your credibility and track record through an annual report or business plan.
- Have a clear vision Organizations without vision tend to be those that run around for bits and pieces of funding, not being sure what they want to achieve and trying and do a bit of everything.
- Build relationships Develop effective networks with statutory agencies, and voluntary and community groups. Let them know what you have on offer and how you complement their services. Developing partnerships can enhance your organisation's credibility. Maintain relationships with funders, acknowledge grants awarded, comply with funding conditions and invite them to the completed project.
- Good governance and financial accountability Demonstrate that your organisation is properly managed and has good accounting and governance structures in place that are robust and transparent.