Growth Fund

What is the Growth Fund?

The Growth Fund is there to support your church engage creatively in mission in your context.  As a diocese we are focused on Growing in God in depth, influence, number and younger, creating flourishing congregations making a difference (based on the Five Marks of Mission agreed by the Anglican Communion in 1984).   We can offer grants up to £1500 to support you in outward-looking projects to develop your local mission to the wider community.

What kinds of projects do we fund?

We are keen to support missional projects that focus on Growing Younger or Growing in Number, projects that would not happen without the support of this grant.  We want to see projects that have a clear missional objective that is achievable within a defined timescale.   

Please note: we do not fund salary or wages.

Who is eligible?

If you are a benefice, parish or new congregation in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich you can apply.  You will need to have a Plan for Growth in place for your benefice (or be working towards this), and be able to show how the project fits in with that. A benefice can apply more than once in a year but please coordinate your applications.

We will prioritise those places who have not received Growth Funds previously.  We will also prioritise those who can't access funds through Inspiring Ipswich (Ipswich Deanery), Growing God in the Countryside or other Diocesan Funds (e.g. SMDP, Beacon Area). In order for the funds to be distributed fairly across the diocese, we will also take into consideration the geographic spread of applications.  Funds will be distributed at the discretion of the fund committee.

What will we expect from you?

Within six months of receiving the money, you will need to provide a brief summary of what they were used for, including pictures (and if possible, a video).  You should also include an explanation showing how the funds made a difference to the mission of your church(es). 

Where appropriate, this summary will be shared on the Diocese’s website, eNews and/or social media to encourage others in their own mission. We will send out a feedback form to help you to do that.

How do you apply?

Please complete the form below.

Application Form | DOCX

Please return it to the fund administrator Helen Prior-Townsend together with any supporting documentation.  We will confirm the receipt of your application within a week. 

How quickly will you hear?

Your application will be considered at the next committee meeting. 

Meetings are currently planned for -

2023, Tuesday 5th September, Tuesday 7th November (an extra meeting may be added in early December dependent on application levels).

2024, Tuesday 13th February, other meetings will then be held in April, June, September & November 2024 dates will be released soon.

Please take these dates into account when applying for funds.  Any monies received should be used within six months.

How can we help you?

If you would like to discuss your idea or need help with your application, please contact a member of the committee:

The Revd Toby Tate

Matt Levett

Leonie Ryle

Julie Podd

Further sources of grants and funds

If you are looking for larger sums of money please visit our webpage on funding here.

 


St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge, recreated their website to increase communications

St Mary’s Church, Woodbridge, received a total of £300 from their growth fund, which they used to build their new deanery website.

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Southgate Church, Bury purchase a TV for their youth clubs

Purchasing a TV to be used the Sunday Club has had a really positive effect

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All Saints Church, Ipswich use their grant to reinvent their Toddler Group

The toddler group goes ahead with a revival thanks to the £500 grant.

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Streaming equipment for St Martin’s Church, Trimley

The church wanted to be able to livestream to reach wider audiences

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All Saints Church, Mendham - Spring Project

The Revd Diane Powell started a new Spring Project in April 2023 with the help of a grant from the Diocesan Growth Fund.

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Growing in God Growth funding - Overview 2022

A look into the Growing in God funding in 2022


Experience Advent | Whitton with Thurleston and Akenham

Children from Beeches Community Primary School attended an ‘Experience Advent' at St Mary and St Botolph's Churches on Monday 12 December.


Christmas Trail 2021 - St Martin's Church, Trimley

Creating an interactive nativity trail in their churchyard for all to enjoy.


Easter 2022 - St Peter and St Paul's Church, Kedington

A focus on Easter for Growing Younger and Growing in Number.


Families returning to Church - Christ Church Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds

Growing Younger project at Christ Church Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds invites families back into church with a warm welcome

Fressingfield Parish flood their village with angels

26th March 2024

Using their growth fund, Fressingfield Parish put on an angel workshop that took place on Saturday November 1....

Growing in Depth Bible Studies - St John's Elmswell

23rd November 2023

St John’s Elmswell, Lavenham use their funding to grow in depth through Bible studies....

Easter books for school children - Cockfield Benefice

23rd November 2023

Age-appropriate books about the real meaning of Easter were given to each child in the two Primary schools and the two preschools in the benefice....
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