Bristol Archdeaconry Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £139,281 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £152,809 (2024)
• Charity Number: 1058853
• Geographic Focus: Archdeaconry of Bristol, including Deanery of Kingswood (South Gloucestershire) and Benefice of Marshfield with Cold Ashton and Tormarton with West Littleton
• Legal Status: Charitable Trust

Contact Details

Bristol Archdeaconry Charity

All Saints Centre

1 All Saints Court

Bristol BS1 1JN

Phone: 0117 929 2709

Email: ASCL.CHARITY@BTCONNECT.COM

For Grant Applications: This charity operates alongside or within the Temple Charities structure. For grant applications to ecclesiastical charities in the Bristol Archdeaconry area, contact:

• Clerk to the Trustees: Roger James
• Email: randwjames@gmail.com
• Website: www.templecharity.co.uk

Overview

The Bristol Archdeaconry Charity (also referred to as Bristol Ecclesiastical Charity) was established to further the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Archdeaconry of Bristol. With an income of approximately £139,000 annually and expenditure exceeding £152,000, the charity actively supports Church of England parishes and projects across the historic Archdeaconry of Bristol.

The charity operates within a complex structure of Bristol ecclesiastical charities that have been working together for many years to support church work in the region. These charities have merged into Temple Charities with a joint application form, streamlining the grant application process for parishes and other eligible bodies in the area.

The charity is governed by 10 trustees who serve on a voluntary basis without remuneration. The organization has no paid staff earning over £60,000 and operates without trading subsidiaries, maintaining a focused approach to its charitable mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Bristol Archdeaconry Charity works within the Temple Charities framework, which distributes funds according to specific categories:

Category 1 - Parish Grant: 15% of total available funds are awarded to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the maintenance of the work of the Church of England in the parish, with uses at the discretion of the PCC.

Category 2 - Diocese Grant: 45% of total available funds are awarded to the Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance (BDBF) for furthering the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Area of Benefit.

Category 3 - Discretionary Projects: Up to 40% of total available funds are used by Trustees at their discretion in response to applications which further religious and charitable work of the Church of England.

Priority Areas

• Church building maintenance and improvement - Supporting the upkeep and enhancement of church properties
• Community outreach projects - Initiatives that develop the life of churches and communities
• Religious education and engagement - Programs like “Christmas in a Box” and “Easter in a Box” resources for schools
• Support for communities in need - Priority given to projects serving the most disadvantaged communities
• Diocesan initiatives - Support for wider church work across the Archdeaconry
• Environmental responsibility - Preference for applications consistent with the Bristol Diocese's target to be carbon-neutral by 2030

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly documented, but funding is restricted to:

• Church of England projects only
• Projects within the defined geographic area (Archdeaconry of Bristol as it was on 20th January 1992)

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Governance and Leadership

The Bristol Archdeaconry Charity is governed by 10 trustees who serve without remuneration. The charity shares governance structures with the Temple Charities group.

Key Personnel within Temple Charities structure:

• Colin: Chairman of Temple Charities (since 2020, trustee since 2012)
• Roger James: Clerk to the Trustees - primary contact for applications
• Neil: Archdeacon of Bristol (ex-officio trustee)
• Additional Trustees: Peter, Edward Buchan, Andrew, Lucy, Greca, and Sandra

The Bishop of Bristol is consulted on applications, with this consultation arranged by Roger James through the Diocese.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for grants from Bristol Archdeaconry Charity are processed through the Temple Charities joint application system.

Application Method:

1. Download the application form from www.templecharity.co.uk
2. Complete the form demonstrating how your project meets the Grant Funding Criteria
3. Submit by email to Roger James at randwjames@gmail.com
4. The Bishop of Bristol will be consulted on applications (arranged by the Clerk)

Pre-Application Considerations:

• Review the Grant Funding Criteria on the Temple Charity website
• Ensure your project is within the defined geographic area
• Prepare evidence of how the project serves communities in need
• Consider environmental impact and alignment with Diocese carbon-neutral targets
• Demonstrate that funding request is for partial rather than full project costs
• Show that the project is time-limited rather than ongoing

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The Diocese of Bristol indicates that diocesan loan applications (a different funding stream) are considered monthly by the Diocesan Finance Committee, which may suggest a similar rhythm for grant decisions.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly disclosed. However, the charity has been operating for many years with consistent grant-making activity across the Archdeaconry.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Clerk to discuss unsuccessful applications or reapplication possibilities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the documented priorities and criteria of the Temple Charities structure:

Strong Applications Will:

• Demonstrate community need: Priority is given to projects serving communities most in need. Provide clear evidence of deprivation, disadvantage, or specific community challenges your project addresses.

• Show partnership funding: The Trustees prefer to contribute to project costs rather than paying the full amount. Demonstrate other funding sources and community fundraising efforts.

• Be time-limited: Preference is given to projects with defined timelines rather than ongoing revenue costs. Show clear start and end dates with specific deliverables.

• Address environmental impact: Applications consistent with the Bristol Diocese's target to be carbon-neutral by 2030 are preferred. Consider sustainability and environmental benefits of your project.

• Develop church and community life: Projects should show how they will enhance the life of churches and communities in the Area of Benefit.

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• Bristol Schools Connection: Interactive “Christmas in a Box” and “Easter in a Box” resources enabling churches to tell the Christmas and Easter stories to school children in engaging ways. 16 sets were assembled and donated to churches in areas where many children receive free school meals.

• Bristol Diocese: Ongoing support for the Diocesan Board of Finance for wider church work.

• Bristol Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe Church: Major church buildings receiving support.

• Support for disadvantaged communities: Initiatives making a difference to communities facing poverty and exclusion.

What Makes Applications Stand Out:

• Clear connection to communities experiencing disadvantage
• Evidence of collaboration with other churches or community organizations
• Thoughtful consideration of environmental sustainability
• Realistic budgets with evidence of value for money
• Time-limited projects with measurable outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is crucial: Ensure your church or project is within the Archdeaconry of Bristol as defined on 20th January 1992. Contact the Clerk if unsure about eligibility.

• Partnership funding is expected: Don't ask for 100% of project costs. Show you have secured or are actively seeking other funding sources.

• Prioritize community need: Applications serving communities most in need receive priority. Use evidence such as indices of multiple deprivation, free school meal statistics, or other community needs data.

• Think environmental impact: With the Diocese's carbon-neutral target for 2030, showing environmental responsibility strengthens applications.

• Use the joint application process: Multiple Bristol ecclesiastical charities have merged into Temple Charities with a single application form, simplifying the process.

• Consult early: Contact Roger James with questions before submitting applications to ensure eligibility and appropriateness.

• Build diocesan relationships: The Bishop of Bristol is consulted on applications, so maintaining good relationships with diocesan authorities is beneficial.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Temple Ecclesiastical Charity
• John James Bristol Foundation
• The Merchant Venturers Charity
• The Nisbet Trust
• Spielman Charitable Trust
• The Pople Charitable Trust
• Bristol Masons' Charity
• Quartet Community Foundation
• The Nani Huyu Charitable Trust
• The Portishead Nautical Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: Bristol Archdeaconry Charity (1058853) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1058853

• Diocese of Bristol Fundraising and Trusts page - https://www.bristol.anglican.org/fundraising/

• Temple Charity website - http://www.templecharity.co.uk/

• Temple Charity: Meeting the Criteria - http://www.templecharity.co.uk/making-a-grant-application/meeting-the-criteria/

• Charity Commission Register: Temple Ecclesiastical Charity (229907) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/229907

• Charity Commission Register: All Saints Church Lands (214713) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/214713