Funding and resources for community mission
 Recent Community Mission resources include funding for charities working with young people, healing and arts projects that address social exclusion and a new network of debt advice ministries.
FUNDING
Charities that aim to respond to anti-social behaviour, crime in local neighbourhoods, drug and alcohol-related crime, youth crime, violence against women or girls and reducing re-offending can apply to the Crime Innovation Fund from the Community Development Foundation (CDF). The project must address a specific problem in the community and be innovative, ie a youth project that works with the police for the first time. Two grants are available: small grants of between £1,000- £15,000 and large grants of between £15,000- £50,000. The deadline for applications is 1 December but grants will be awarded as the applications come in so it is best to submit as early as possible.
Charities working with children and young people, and those with disabilities as well as people affected by deprivation, can apply to The Leathersellers’ Company for funding. A small grants programme offers grants up to £3,000 although the average is £500-£1,500 on a one-off basis. The main grants programme offers up to £5,000 for a period of four years although larger grants are sometimes made. There is no application deadline and applicants will be notified within six weeks if their application is being recommended to the grant panel for decision. Grants for work in Greater London will be prioritised although work in other parts of the UK is also supported. Apply online or, for more information, email Geoffrey Russell-Jones or phone him on 020 7330 1451.
The Anchor Foundation provides funding to Christian charities that address social exclusion with healing and arts projects. Grants of between £500- £10,000 are available and sometimes the grant will be spread over two or three years. Grants can be used for either capital or revenue costs. Examples of projects supported include a dance project aimed at un-churched people, workshops about ageing and an arts project to make icons. The next application deadline is 31 January for the April board meeting.
Finding appropriate funding sources for church and Christian community projects can take a large amount of time and sometimes lead to frustration when applications are not successful. The Directory of Social Change encourages projects to subscribe to one of their funding websites in order to find the best sources of funding. Join over 3,000 other subscribers and begin the search for funding today. The cost of an annual subscription is £225-£250 but several websites offer a free demo.
OTHER RESOURCES
Housing Justice is running their popular and comprehensive training workshop on homelessness and related issues in Finsbury Square, London on 26 November. Introduction to Homelessness is especially relevant for volunteers in churches and church-linked homelessness initiatives, such as night shelters and drop-in centres. It will cover everything from homelessness law, mental health and drug/alcohol awareness as well as boundaries and dealing with conflict. The day costs £25 per person for Housing Justice membersand £40 per person for non-members.
10 Keys for impact – inspiration and guidance for community transformation is a new resource published to celebrate 15 years of Tearfund’s IMPACT UK Team. From Being Strategic and Protecting against Burnout to Involving your Community and Communicating your Christian Distinctive, the booklet is full of the collected wisdom and guidance of well-established Christian community projects around the UK. Beyond the top tips and practical advice, there's also a range of additional resources and tools to download online for each key. Download 10 keys for impact as a pdf or email Nicola Chappell for more information. Beyond the top tips and practical advice, there's also a range of additional resources and tools to for each key. or email for more information.
Church Action on Poverty is running a new study of Christian attitudes to poverty and inequality in this country. Complete their online survey and contribute your thoughts on poverty and what the Church should be doing about it. They are also looking for a range of views and ideas about what their focus should be over the next five years.
A new network of money and debt advice ministries has been launched, designed to give money outreach projects and ministries the opportunity to discuss and campaign on the issues behind their clients’ money difficulties. The Community Voice Forum is a collaboration between several Christian agencies and will represent frontline Christian money advice workers and volunteers.
Research shows that many church-goers are open to the idea of leaving a Christian legacy – if only someone would suggest it, and help them take the first steps. Christian legacy - the group of leading Christian charities working together to encourage people to leave a legacy to their favourite Christian charities when writing their will – are running a special campaign this autumn. Tomorrow’s harvest involves a range of free resources to use in your church including sermon and small group ideas. Register and download the pack.
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