Aldhelm Mission Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_B2CE24ED

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Annual deadline-based review (October 2)
  • Grant Range: £200 - £30,000
  • Geographic Focus: Diocese of Salisbury (covering Wiltshire and Dorset)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/missionandministry/aldhelm-mission-fund/

Mission Coordinator: Steve Inglis

Mission Coordinator

Diocese of Salisbury

Contact via diocesan directory

Overview

The Aldhelm Mission Fund is administered by the Diocese of Salisbury (registered charity 240833) and has been supporting local mission initiatives since 2006. Over the past 19 years, the fund has supported more than 100 local mission projects. The fund specifically encourages and resources creative thinking and risk-taking, helping to fund new work and projects that connect the local church to the wider community but cannot be funded from local sources. The emphasis is on supporting projects in new areas of work and providing some of the resources needed to engage with respective communities and networks. The fund operates within the Church of England's broader mission and ministry framework, supporting parishes, schools, and wider communities across the Diocese of Salisbury.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund operates a two-tiered application system based on project size:

  • Small Grants (Form A): Up to £500 for grassroots initiatives
  • Larger Grants (Form B): Over £500 up to £30,000 for larger-scale projects

The fund accepts applications on an annual deadline basis, with the next deadline being October 2, 2025.

Priority Areas

  • New missional initiatives connecting local churches to wider communities
  • New worshipping communities in parishes, schools and the wider community
  • Creative and innovative projects that involve risk-taking
  • Projects engaging with communities and networks in new ways
  • Community engagement initiatives that cannot be funded from local sources
  • Projects that demonstrate creative thinking in mission and ministry

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects that can be funded from local parish sources
  • Standard ongoing operational costs
  • Projects without a clear community engagement or missional focus
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Governance and Leadership

The Aldhelm Mission Fund operates under the governance of the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Finance (charity number 240833).

Steve Inglis, Mission Coordinator, oversees the fund and provides pre-application support. In his role, Steve “supports, enables, and resources discipleship, mission and social justice in the local context” and “works collaboratively with local church and school leaders, building missional opportunities that respond to community needs across all ages.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Complete the application form with project details
  2. Submit by the annual deadline

Application forms and terms of reference are available for download on the fund's webpage.

Decision Timeline

  • Application Deadline: October 2 (annual)
  • Decision Timeline: Not publicly specified, but decisions made after the annual review process
  • Notification: Applicants contacted directly with results

Success Rates

Since 2006, the fund has supported over 100 local mission initiatives. However, specific application numbers, success rates, or percentage acceptance figures are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The fund's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Applicants should contact Steve Inglis, Mission Coordinator, for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Indicators

Based on the fund's priorities and funded projects, successful applications typically demonstrate:

  • Innovation and Creativity: The fund explicitly values “creative thinking and risk-taking”
  • Community Connection: Projects must show how they “connect the local church to the wider community”
  • New Areas of Work: Emphasis on “supporting projects in new areas of work” rather than existing programs
  • Local Funding Gap: Clear demonstration that the project “cannot be funded from local sources”
  • Engagement Focus: Projects that provide “resources needed to engage with respective communities and networks”

Example of Funded Project

Doug Horley's Crazy Science Show - Part-funded by the Aldhelm Mission Fund, this project engaged approximately 650 children and young people across multiple schools (Hampreston First School, Ferndown First School) and St Mary's Church, Ferndown. The project used science demonstrations, bubbles, songs, and interaction to explore creation and God's love. A local curate noted: "I've never seen children so engaged and having so much fun in an assembly setting."

Strategic Advice

  • The fund is designed to support projects ranging “from small grassroots initiatives to large-scale endeavors”
  • Applications should demonstrate risk-taking and innovation rather than safe, traditional approaches
  • Projects should show clear community engagement beyond existing church membership
  • Contact Steve Inglis for pre-application guidance to strengthen your proposal

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasize Innovation: The fund specifically values “creative thinking and risk-taking” - demonstrate how your project breaks new ground
  • Show the Funding Gap: Clearly articulate why local sources cannot fund this work
  • Community Engagement is Central: Projects must connect the local church to wider communities and networks
  • Scale is Flexible: The fund supports projects from £200 to £30,000, so don't be deterred by size
  • Seek Pre-Application Support: Contact Mission Coordinator Steve Inglis through the diocesan directory for guidance
  • Plan for Annual Cycle: With an October deadline, start preparation well in advance
  • Geographic Eligibility: Projects must be within the Diocese of Salisbury (covering Wiltshire and Dorset)

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