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. 

Thank you for your interest in applying for this fund.  Please see below how we use your data. 

Privacy Notice | PDF

How quickly will you hear?

Your application will be considered at the next committee meeting. 

The remaining meetings for the rest of 2024 are below, applications need to be sent in a week before each meeting date

Tuesday 10 December - application deadline Tuesday 3 December

2025 dates

Tuesday 21 January – application deadline Tuesday 14 January

Tuesday 11 March – application deadline Tuesday 4 March

Tuesday 13 May – application deadline Tuesday 6 May

Tuesday 15 July – application deadline Tuesday 8 July

Tuesday 9 September – application deadline Tuesday 2 September

Tuesday 11 November - application deadline Tuesday 4 November

Tuesday 9 December - application deadline Tuesday 2 December

 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:

Katie de Bourcier - chair

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.

 


Christ Church, Felixstowe, hosts free community events

The church provided two free events to their local community


The Real Christmas Advent Calendar given to children in the Four Rivers Benefice

The calendar tells the story of Advent and has a story book to go with it

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Pebbles Toddler Group started up at St Peter's, Yoxford

The growth fund grant allowed St Peter's Church to start up a stay and play toddler group

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Pilgrimage Trip to the Cathedral for non church-goers

Growth fund of £200 subsidised a Pilgrimage Trip to the Cathedral


13 young people attended Gather at Sizewell Hall earlier this year

The Growing in God Growth Fund enabled a group of 13 young people to attend Gather at Sizewell Hall earlier this year.

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Fressingfield Parish flood their village with angels

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

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Growing in Depth Bible Studies - St John's Elmswell

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

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Easter books for school children - Cockfield Benefice

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.


Harvest Festival of Talents - All Saints Kesgrave

All Saints Church, Kesgrave, hosted a wonderful harvest celebration with the aid of their grant.

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Diddy Disciples – St Mary the Virgin, Bacton

The “Diddy Disciples” group has been running for 2 years so far

Christ Church, Felixstowe, hosts free community events

20th September 2024

The church provided two free events to their local community

The Real Christmas Advent Calendar given to children in the Four Rivers Benefice

13th September 2024

The calendar tells the story of Advent and has a story book to go with it

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.
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