Growth funding opportunites

Photo by Philip King.

The Growing in God Growth Fund is an initiative of the Diocese to encourage sharing of the Christian faith and so grow our church family in number.

From 1 May 2021 the Diocesan Growing in God Growth Fund has a small amount of money to help your church reach out creatively to encourage sharing of the Christian faith and so grow our church family in number.

Please read the criteria below and send your application to Jacqui Studd. 

What kind of projects do we fund?

• Projects should come out of clear discernment as to God’s calling.
• Mission should be the primary goals and applications that are clearly not for this purpose will not be approved.
• Made on a one-off basis.
• Needs to address the growth criteria of Growing Younger and/or Growing in Number.
• Projects or activities that would not or are unlikely to happen without the support of this grant.
• Activities or projects that are achievable and have clear objectives, plans and a timescale. In relevant cases, it may be helpful to show that a suitable number of staff and/or volunteers, who have appropriate skills, have agreed to be involved.
• The fund should not be used for salary or wages.
• Where an ongoing project or ministry is envisaged, evidence should be provided to show how it will be sustainable beyond the lifetime of the grant.

Who is eligible?

• Only Anglican churches in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich who are not able to benefit from Inspiring Ipswich or Lightwave are eligible for this funding.
• We do encourage partnership work and so if an eligible Anglican church is working in partnership with another organisation or church we would consider the application.
• Parishes in receipt of a waiver for their Parish Share contribution and who have completed an action plan will still be eligible.
• We encourage only one application per benefice, to allow more parishes across the Diocese to benefit from the grant.
• It is also worth remembering that the fund is exclusively for evangelistic activities for those who are currently outside of the church. 

How to apply

Applications will be assessed on a weekly basis until all grant money is awarded. 

When applying for the fund, please complete the application form and email it to Jacqui Studd, together with any supporting documents by the deadline. Postal applications can be sent to Jacqui Studd, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, 4 Cutler Street, Ipswich IP1 1UQ. 

Growing in God Growth Fund application form | DOCX