Successful Fundraising

Funding for the ministry and mission of our churches comes mainly from church members through their commitment to regular giving. However, there will be ‘one-off’ projects, such as repairs to buildings, new buildings, funding a youth worker or new mission initiatives that need special fund-raising.  While the church family will want to support such ventures, there will be many in the wider community who might also be willing to contribute.

Running a capital fundraising appeal is a major undertaking requiring careful planning, organisation and persistence.  A well thought out fundraising strategy is essential for an appeal to succeed.  Advice on how to begin the process is available from a number of sources:

·        ‘The UK Church Fundraising Handbook’  by Maggie Durran (Canterbury Press 2003, price £17.99) is a comprehensive practical manual and directory of sources on fundraising for churches and a very useful starting point for novice fundraisers.

·        Volunteer advisors with practical experience of successful capital fundraising projects for their own churches in Salisbury Diocese are available to advise PCCs and fundraising committees on how to run an appeal.  Contact Stewardship & Resources for details.

·        Stewardship & Resources can provide information on sources of funding from a wide range of grant-making bodies.

·        www.churchcare.co.uk offers a wealth of information on fundraising and sources of grants for church buildings and community related projects.

·        www.parishresources.org.uk has a series of guides on fundraising.

·        www.how2fundraise.org is a very helpful online resource for voluntary fundraisers supported by the government Office of the Third Sector.  

The Aldhelm Mission Fund supports mission initiatives and fresh expressions of church outside normal parish ministry.  The emphasis is on supporting projects in new areas of work that connect the local church to the wider community but cannot be funded from local sources.  The Fund cannot be used to support the maintenance of buildings.  Since 2006, the Fund has supported 36 new mission initiatives.  Grants are normally in the range of £500 - £4,000 but a limited number of larger awards can be considered for projects lasting up to three years.

For further information, click Aldhelm Mission Fund Guidelines.  For an application form, click Aldhelm Mission Fund Application Form.  Applications are considered three times a year.  Advice about applications can be obtained from the Fund Secretary at Stewardship & Resources.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) www.hlf.org.uk offers grants for projects with a heritage dimension rather than being solely building focused.