CHURCH GROWTH PROGRAMME FUNDS

We are delighted to be opening applications for churches to access new funding through our Diocesan-wide Church Growth Programme (CGP). As we focus on Growing Disciples of Christ, bringing living hope to the city, towns and villages of Nottinghamshire and beyond, we pray that these funds will help to resource seeing this compelling vision realised in your local church context. These funds have been supported through funding recently received from the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB).

The Church Growth Programme has three funds:

• Growing Disciples Fund (open to all)
• Resource Church Capacity Fund (invite only)
• Revitalisation Church Capacity Fund (invite only)

Applications to funds can be made online by following the relevant links and will be processed by the Programme Management Office (PMO) before being taken to panel for decision. You can read more about the application processes and selection criteria for each fund below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some funds invitation-only?

Two of the three funds are focused specifically on Church Revitalisations and Resource Churches as identified by the Diocese:  

• The Resource Church Capacity Fund is for churches who are on a journey to becoming a Resource Church – with the defining mark of growing to give themselves away.  This may be directly through developing New Worshipping Communities, or in generating resources and capacity to participate in the planting, renewal and revitalisation of other churches, particularly in the raising and releasing of lay and ordained leaders.

• The Revitalisation Church Capacity Fund is for churches on the journey to becoming revitalised, aiming to achieve sustainable growth within their own context and grasping opportunities for a fresh start or significant step change in terms of mission, ministry and financial sustainability.  For example, growing new disciples of Christ, delivering on the 7 areas of focus, creating  New Worshipping Communities.  Overtime, these churches may develop into a Resource Church, although this is not a requirement.  

How have churches been selected?

We’ve followed a careful process of review looking at the current position of churches in the diocese and their potential trajectories moving forward.  It’s important to note that while funding may bring opportunity in certain areas, it also brings added burden and responsibility which an existing team needs to help carry and facilitate.  Churches in receipt of funding are accountable through the PMO (Programme Management Office) and engage with termly reviews and tracking of project measures so progress can be captured and reporting to the national church. 

We’re not eligible for church revitalisation or resource church funding currently, could this change?

Absolutely!  These are not fixed categories as churches are always changing over time.  If you would like to discuss this further, we would recommend getting in touch with the PMO office through pmo@southwell.anglican.org.

I haven’t received an invitation, but I know my church is in one of the invitation-only funds, what should I do?

If you haven’t received an email invitation and you’re expecting one, you can contact PMO office at pmo@southwell.anglican.org and they will be happy to help support you.

Is there a deadline?

There is a rolling application process, so there is no specific deadline.  Both the Growing Disciples Fund Panel and Church Growth Programme Advisory Panel (for the Resource Church and Revitalisation Church funds) meet regularly to assess applications and make recommendations to Programme Board, which is ratified by Bishop’s Core Team.  You will be given an idea of timescale when we receive your application, but we recommend you allow an application turnaround time of around 1 month for the Growing Disciples Fund and around 2-3 months for the Resource Church and Revitalisation Church funds (although it may take more or less time than this).

Do I need to re-apply every year?

For the Growing Disciples Fund, churches can reapply for a new £5,000 grant each year.  Each application will be assessed separately as it is received.  Initially this fund is available for 2 years, with a potential for a further 4 years (up until end 2030).

For the Resource Church and Revitalisation Church funds you need only apply once but must include the number of years you are applying for funding within your application, alongside your financial forecast.  The funding is initially for 2 years, with the potential for a further 4 years (up until end of 2030).  An annual review will be required to release funding for each year.

How are churches held accountable for the funding they have received?

For churches who receive the Growing Disciples Fund, we ask for a brief report about 6 months after the funding has been given, to review how the funding was spent and evaluate its impact.  

For churches receiving the Resource Church and Revitalisation Church funds, we request that:

• The PCC sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will outline the agreement on which the funds are made.
• Church leaders attend termly review meetings with the PMO, to review the Growing Disciples Plan and track progress.
• An annual report is completed after each full year of funding.

Growing Disciples Fund

The Growing Disciples Fund (GDF) is open to all churches that are not already in receipt of other SDF funding, Church Growth Programme, Resource Church or Revitalisation funds. Churches can apply for up to £5,000 per year to support their strategic plans for growth. For example, this could be used for new outreach initiatives (including Christmas/Easter community events), discipleship materials/resources (including Alpha and other nurture courses), or interns (through the Younger Leadership College).

Please note that churches who have already received money in 2025 through the previous GDF (closed at the end of March 2025), further applications can be made for up to a total of £5000 across the whole of 2025 (including the previous GDF and new GDF). For example, if a church has already received £2000 through the previous GDF, then only a further £3000 can be accessed for the remainder of 2025.

Churches must meet the criteria below and demonstrate that their application is closely aligned to the Diocesan vision and at least one of the seven areas of focus. Applications must include a Growing Disciples Plan.

Once submitted, your application will be processed by the PMO and sent to the Growing Disciples Fund Grants Panel. The outcome will be communicated to you by the PMO.

Criteria

Before applying, please ensure that you meet the criteria below:

1. Parish is within the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham.
2. The applicant parish is not part of a specific missional design through CGP or in receipt of SDF, Resource Church Capacity or Revitalisation Church Capacity funding.
3. The applicant parish has a clear missional design (strategic plan / the HOW of Growing Disciples).
4. The applicant parish will have a clear and effective Growing Disciples Plan in place, evidencing clear alignment with Diocesan vision.
5. Clear measurement framework aligned to shared outcome framework, as captured in Growing Disciples Plan.
6. There will be a financial contribution from the applicant parish.
7. The applicant parish will be on track with Parish Share payments and in line with the parish’s trajectory
8. The applicant parish should commit to monitor progress and provide a short written report upon completion. 

Please contact the PMO for any further queries via: pmo@southwell.anglican.org  

Resource Church Capacity Fund

The Resource Church Capacity Fund (invite only) allows resource churches to access funds of up to £25,000 a year for an initial 2 years, with a potential for up to a further 4 years (end of 2030), that will support them in their plans for growth and transformation. It is intended to add capacity to the local church team, primarily through people resource to see growth and sustainability outcomes realised, although applications for other resources will be considered.

Applications are open to churches who have been identified as resource churches and specifically invited to apply. They must meet the below criteria and demonstrate that their application is closely aligned to the Diocesan vision and seven areas of focus. Applications must include a Growing Disciples Plan and financial forecast.

Once submitted, your application will be processed by the PMO and you will be invited to attend an Advisory Group, where you will have the opportunity to present and discuss your application in greater depth. Following this, the Advisory Group will make a recommendation to Programme Board who will decide the outcome of your application. The outcome will be communicated to you by the PMO.

If your church is successful in their funding application, we request that:

• The PCC sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will outline the agreement on which the funds are made.
• Church leaders attend termly review meetings with the PMO, to review the Growing Disciples Plan and track progress.
• An annual report is completed after each full year of funding.

Criteria

Before applying, please ensure that you meet the criteria below:

1. Church is within the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham.
2. The applicant church is one of the 29 resource churches identified and has been invited to apply.
3. The applicant church is not part of a specific missional design through CGP.
4. The applicant parish has a clear missional design (strategic plan / the HOW of Growing Disciples).
5. The applicant church will have a clear and effective Growing Disciples Plan in place, evidencing clear alignment with Diocesan vision.
6. Clear measurement framework aligned to shared outcome framework, as captured in Growing Disciples Plan.
7. There will be a financial contribution from the applicant church.
8. The applicant parish will be on track with Parish Share payments and in line with the parish’s trajectory
9. Submission of a financial forecast providing a breakdown of costs for each year over the period for which the grant is requested is required as well as long term sustainability planning.
10. The applicant church should commit to monitor and report termly on progress using the Growing Disciples Plan, identifying priorities, risks, learning and next steps.

To Apply

To apply, please see the application link in your invitation email. Please contact the PMO for any further queries via: pmo@southwell.anglican.org.

Revitalisation Church Capacity Fund

The Revitalisation Church Capacity Fund (invite only) allows church revitalisations to access funds of up to £30,000 a year for an initial 2 years, with a potential for up to a further 4 years (end of 2030), that will support them in their plans for growth and transformation. It is intended to add capacity to the local church team, primarily through people resource to see growth and sustainability outcomes realised, although applications for other resources will be considered.

Applications are open to churches who have been identified as church revitalisation and specifically invited to apply. They must meet the below criteria and demonstrate that their application is closely aligned to the Diocesan vision and seven areas of focus. Applications must include a Growing Disciples Plan and financial forecast.

Once submitted, your application will be processed by the PMO and you will be invited to attend an Advisory Group, where you will have the opportunity to present and discuss your application in greater depth. Following this, the Advisory Group will make a recommendation to Programme Board who will decide the outcome of your application. The outcome will be communicated to you by the PMO.

If your church is successful in their funding application, we request that:

• The PCC sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which will outline the agreement on which the funds are made.
• Church leaders attend termly review meetings with the PMO, to review the Growing Disciples Plan and track progress.
• An annual report is completed after each full year of funding.

Criteria

Before applying, please ensure that you meet the criteria below:

1. Church is within the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham.
2. The applicant church is one of the 35 church revitilisations identified and has been invited to apply.
3. The applicant church is not part of a specific missional design through CGP.
4. The applicant parish has a clear missional design (strategic plan / the HOW of Growing Disciples).
5. The applicant church will have a clear and effective Growing Disciples Plan in place, evidencing clear alignment with Diocesan vision.
6. Clear measurement framework aligned to shared outcome framework, as captured in Growing Disciples Plan.
7. There will be a financial contribution from the applicant church.
8. The applicant parish will be on track with Parish Share payments and in line with the parish’s trajectory
9. Submission of a financial forecast providing a breakdown of costs for each year over the period for which the grant is requested is required as well as long term sustainability planning.
10. The applicant church should commit to monitor and report termly on progress using the Growing Disciples Plan, identifying priorities, risks, learning and next steps.

To Apply

To apply, please see the application link in your invitation email.  Please contact the PMO for any further queries via: pmo@southwell.anglican.org.

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