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You'll also need to read through the specific guidelines for your grant type.
- Tier 1 applications (for grants up to £2,500)
- Tier 2 applications (for grants over £2,500 or any grant involving employment)
Once you're done here, it's time to complete your application.
Next step: Submit your application
General criteria
Sections 1 and 2 of this document offer detailed guidelines to accompany each application form, but the general criteria for applications are as follows:
- You need to say how the project supported by this grant would help you become a more Christ-like church for the sake of God’s world (there is a separate document available on the website Signs of a Christ-like church to help with this)
- There should be evidence in the application generally:
- of your discernment – what have you noticed that leads you to believe God is calling to this particular activity? In what way are you doing something different because you are listening to God?
- of missional creativity: a thought-through approach; some innovation; with the expectation of positive missional outcomes;
- that there is a good opportunity for those involved to learn from this activity (and you have an idea of what you might learn from this);
- that the project is sustainable: realistic costs, timescales, resources (people, buildings, equipment and materials) and expected outcomes, also evidence of some careful planning.
- We are not looking for every application to be strong in all four areas, but the more you can show, the better.We also ask about the financial status of the parish, benefice or deanery: it helps to be able to show what contribution you are able to make to the project (that may be a contribution in kind as well as financial).
- Reviewers on the Development Fund Panel will also want to see that the proposed activity is sustainable: that it stands a fair chance of delivering benefits you describe; and wherever possible those benefits can continue beyond the lifetime of the funding support.
Additional requirements for Tier 2 applications
In general, the larger the grant sought, the more detailed is the supporting evidence required. All Tier 2 applications need to be discussed at an early stage with your Parish Development Adviser, who can help you develop your vision and strengthen your project by sharing their experience from other projects and referring you to other relevant resources.
There are also some specific requirements for Tier 2 applications:
- A more detailed plan of what you propose to do (since the work is likely to be more complex). You will need to indicate where on your plan the costs will fall: large grants are likely to be paid in stages, in line with predicted expenditure.
- More financial detail, so the reviewers can have enough confidence that the project has sufficient financial backing. We would expect Tier 2 grants to be match-funded (although you may wish to make a case for a higher proportion of grant funding).
- For grants involving the employment of children’s, families or youth workers, applicants should consult with the Discipleship Enabler for their Archdeaconry before the application is submitted, with information about the proposed role(s).
- For grants involving the development of new worshipping communities or church plants, applicants should consult with the Parish Development Adviser for their Archdeaconry before the application is submitted, with information about the proposed role or initiative. (Applicants in Oxford Archdeaconry should consult with the New Congregations Programme Manager.) This may also include building projects to improve facilities and / or new mission and outreach initiatives which might have the potential to grow into a new worshipping community.
- For grants involving the employment of staff, applicants should consult with HR at Church House Oxford, before the application is submitted, with information about the proposed role(s).
Further support with your application
General help with your mission plan / activities
Parish Development Adviser for your Episcopal Area / Archdeaconry
- Berkshire & Oxford: Rhodri Bowen
- Buckingham: Asa Humphreys
- Dorchester:
Developing new congregations
Parish Development Adviser for your Episcopal Area / Archdeaconry
Employment / HR
Senior HR Adviser, Tim Barnett
Children and Youth
Discipleship Enabler for your Episcopal Area / Archdeaconry:
- Oxford and Dorchester: Yvonne Morris
- Berkshire: Kathryn Aboud
- Buckingham: James Wood
Building Projects
Church Buildings Team
Fundraising
Generous Giving Adviser
Application process and general enquiries
Development Fund Administrator