Resources and events for community projects
 In the latest issue of Community Mission's newsletter, funding opportunities for projects are highlighted as well as useful events and inspiring stories from Christian groups.
Funding
Hilton in the Community Foundation supports charities that provide help to children and young people, especially children affected by health problems and homelessness. There is no limit to the amount that can be applied for but applications of £10,000 or under comprise the majority of successful applications. The next deadlines for applications are 5 May and 3 August. Grants are offered on a one-off basis but unsuccessful applicants can apply again after one year. Read the application guidelines, find out about 2009 grants awarded or complete the application form
The Hilden Charitable Fund supports charities that address disadvantage at the community level. Priorities for funding are for those community projects that support homelessness, refugees and asylum seekers and young people, especially those unlikely to receive public funding. There are no application deadlines and the average grant awarded is £5,000. Their summer play scheme offers £1,000 to projects that benefit children from refugee and ethnic minority families in Greater London. The deadline for the summer play scheme applications is 14 May. Read the application guidelines or download the application form. For more information phone 020 7603 1525.
The Woodward Charitable Trust funds community projects and churches that address a wide range of social needs. It favours small-scale local initiatives and is generally offered on a one-off basis. Its funding priorities are social and ethnic minority groups, prisoners and ex-offenders, homelessness, violence against women and children, disability issues and addiction. There is a small grants programme for projects up to £5,000 and large grants for projects over £5,000 over three years. The next application deadline is 24 May. For more information, read about past grants awarded, application guidelines, complete the application form or phone 020 7410 0330 for more information.
Founded by Working Links, an organisation that has helped 130,000 people back into employment, Links Foundation supports community projects that reduce poverty and disadvantage while increasing education and recreational occupation. From sports clubs to children’s work, the fund supports a broad range of initiatives. There are no maximum funding amounts and the average grant is £20,000. For more information contact Katherine Metcalfe or phone 01642 236 486.
The Hedley Foundation supports charities that benefit young people through education, recreation, training and welfare. It also provides a few grants for projects that work with disabled people and the terminally ill. The average amount awarded is £3,000 and the next application deadlines are 28 April and 30 June.
Training and Events
We don’t do God’: Keeping faith in your community project is being hosted by Livability on 12 May at Salvation Army International HQ in London. The day will include practical ideas on how Christian community projects can think theologically about their work, examples of projects that have not lost an active Christian faith and how to see success through the eyes of Jesus rather than funders’ monitoring forms. It is £30 per person including lunch. To book, contact Jill Clark or phone 020 7452 2018.
Back by popular demand, Livability is hosting Manipulation or Motivation: How to make the most of the time, skills and experience of your volunteers on 26 May at St John’s, Great Horton in Bradford. This fun and interactive day will focus on the motivations of volunteers, the art of communication and why the best community projects are full of volunteers. It is £20 per person including lunch. To book, email Ruth Smith or phone 0113 350 8070.
Churches wanting to find out more about setting up a Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Centre are invited to attend Inspire, a free training afternoon, on several dates over the coming year: 24 April in Leicester, 12 June in London, 4 September in Edinburgh and 16 October in Manchester. With teaching from founder John Kirkby and seminars on prayer ministry and tackling poverty through debt advice, the afternoon will answer questions about setting up a CAP Centre. Although free to attend, booking online is essential. For more information, phone 01274 760 560.
Livability is hosting their annual residential, A Conspiracy of Hope: Creating the future one mustard seed at a time, on 27-29 October. Facilitators Tom and Christine Sine will share thoughts on the future of the church’s mission within communities in our rapidly changing world. Tom is the author of Mustard seed vs McWorld and The New Conspirators. The event focuses on learning from each other and gives opportunity for reflection away from busy ministry. Held in Leicestershire at Hothorpe Hall, it is £215 for a single room and £160 for a shared room with a £20 discount for bookings taken before 30 June. To book, complete the booking form online or, for more information, contact Jill Clark or phone 020 7452 2018.
Stories and Resources
Following the cold winter weather many people in the UK are struggling to pay increased heating costs. This is forcing some people to choose between buying food and heating their homes. This Guardian article explains this very serious issue. foodbank provides an opportunity for churches to respond by setting up a programme that provides three days of food for people who get referred by their doctor or social worker. It is an initiative founded up by Christian charity Trussell Trust and now there are over 50 foodbanks
One of the biggest challenges that churches and Christian projects face is maintaining their Christian identity. The government has recognised that many of you are fighting against myths regarding the faith element of your work. The new Communities and Local Government paper Ensuring a level playing field outlines several of these myths and offers clear answers that support the work of faith-based groups.
As a result of the expenses scandal, many people are now concerned that MPs are held to account for both their time and finances. Churches now have a great opportunity to help their local MPs listen to community concerns and stay accountable. Church Action on Poverty, together with Church Urban Fund, the Iona Community and several others, has developed an MP Accountability Network. This involves churches hosting three public meetings with MPs each year and the Network offering advice on which topics to address. The suggested Robin Hood tax might be something to discuss.
 Community Mission is a partnership between Tearfund and Livability. Click here to sign up to future editions of their e-newsletter.
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