Council For World Mission (uk)

Charity Number: 1097842

Annual Expenditure: £14.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Expenditure: £14,488,308
  • Charity Number: 1097842
  • Company Number: 4758640
  • Founded: 1977 (roots to 1795)
  • Membership: 36 member churches globally
  • Geographic Focus: Global (Pacific, Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Caribbean, Europe)
  • Grant Range: Varies by programme (SG$25,000 to multi-year support)
  • Decision Time: Board meets 3 times annually

Contact Details

Singapore Office (Main Secretariat)

  • Address: 114 Lavender Street, #12-01 CT Hub 2, Singapore 338729
  • Phone: +65 6887 3400
  • Email: council@cwmission.org
  • Website: www.cwmission.org

London Office

  • Address: 11 St Georges Circus, London SE1 8EH, United Kingdom
  • Phone: +44 (0) 20 7222 4214
  • Email: council.uk@cwmission.org

South Africa Office

  • Address: Unit 24, 29 Rhodes Avenue, Florida, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa
  • Phone: +27 68 525 7334
  • Email: council.sa@cwmission.org

Programme-Specific Contact

  • Education, Formation and Empowerment: empowerment@cwmission.org

Overview

The Council for World Mission (CWM) was established in 1977 through the merger of the London Missionary Society (founded 1795), the Commonwealth Missionary Society (1836), and the Presbyterian Board of Missions (1847). In 2012, CWM relocated its general secretariat from London to Singapore as a strategic location to facilitate mission work with all member churches globally.

CWM is a worldwide partnership of 36 member churches (primarily Presbyterian, Congregational, and united churches in the Reformed tradition) committed to sharing resources of money, people, skills, and insights globally to carry out God's mission locally. The organisation operates on core values of justice in relationships, mutuality, equality and interdependence, generosity of spirit, and unity in diversity.

Under the leadership of Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum (General Secretary since 2021), CWM emphasizes “transforming discipleship” that confronts false gods where the economy reigns supreme and advocates for economic justice and life-flourishing communities. In 2019, CWM committed £10 million to The Onesimus Project, addressing legacies of slavery and promoting reparatory justice.

The organisation functions primarily as a resource-sharing network among its member churches rather than an open grant-maker to external organizations. The UK charity entity maintains a legal presence while operational headquarters are in Singapore.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Mission Support Programme (MSP)

  • Purpose: Supports member churches' mission work and development of missional congregations
  • Structure: Four phases (MSP1-MSP4), with MSP4 focused on enabling missional congregations
  • Eligibility: CWM member churches only
  • Requirements: Mission and Capacity Audit, Mission Consultation, detailed implementation plans
  • Process: Applications reviewed at Board meetings (3 times annually)

Academic Accompaniment Programme (AAP)

  • Purpose: Support for Masters and Doctoral research in theological education
  • Eligibility: Scholars up to age 55 from member churches; 50% women candidates prioritized
  • Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, research costs
  • Service Requirement: Minimum 3-year service commitment post-completion
  • Application Deadlines:
  • January 21 – March 15 (decision by June 30)
  • June 21 – August 15 (decision by November 30)
  • Process: Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding required

Special Academic Accompaniment Programme (SAAP)

  • Focus: Pathbreaking research on emerging missional challenges
  • Process: Pre-application consultation recommended

Member Church Initiatives (MCI)

  • Purpose: Short-term skills training, workshops, and experiential learning
  • Eligibility: Member churches
  • Deadline: September 30 annually
  • Funding: Determined by CWM Board annually

Training in Mission (TIM)

  • Target: Young adults recognized as emerging leaders
  • Format: Diploma in mission studies
  • Requirements: Church endorsement and health form

Face2Face & A New Face (ANF)

  • Duration: 6-8 weeks intensive theological exposure
  • Target: Non-ordained theology students
  • Coverage: International travel, accommodation, and food
  • Format: Immersive, community-based learning

Partners in Mission (PIM)

  • Purpose: Personnel sharing between member churches
  • Activities: Theological education, pastoral ministry, healthcare, community work
  • Duration: Varies (6-12 months for internships, longer for mission partners)
  • Eligibility: Young people aged 21-30 for internships

Together for Life Solidarity and Action Grants

  • Purpose: Support advocacy, solidarity, and action initiatives
  • Part of: Peace Building and Community Development programme
  • Eligibility: Member churches and partner organizations

COVID-19 Mission Initiative Fund (Historical reference)

  • Grant Amount: Up to SG$25,000 per member church or partner organisation
  • Purpose: Support projects for those affected by COVID-19 and innovative responses

Priority Areas

CWM operates through seven programme areas:

1. Mission Programme and Partnership

  • Encourages and supports member churches in mission work
  • Facilitates personnel exchange and partnerships
  • Provides mission development support

2. Discipleship, Spiritualities and Dialogue

  • Promotes radical and prophetic discipleship
  • Encourages interfaith dialogue
  • Develops spiritual formation initiatives

3. Education, Formation and Empowerment

  • Academic accompaniment for theological education
  • Leadership development programmes
  • Skills training and capacity building
  • 35% of funds earmarked for women

4. Life-flourishing Creation and Economy

  • Alternative economic systems (degrowth, planetary ubuntu, buen vivir)
  • Ecological and climate reparations campaign
  • Ecofeminism and environmental racism
  • Sustainable practices and eco-spirituality

5. Mission from the Margins

  • Deep solidarity with marginalized communities
  • Focus on queer communities, Indigenous peoples, disabled people, migrants, refugees
  • Challenges systems that stigmatize based on ethnicity, race, caste, gender, sexual orientation, health, class
  • Promotes justice and equity

6. Peace Building and Community Development

  • Peace with justice advocacy
  • Conflict transformation
  • Sustainable community development
  • Intersectional approach to mission

7. The Onesimus Project

  • Total Commitment: £10 million (approved 2019)
  • Focus: Legacies of slavery, modern-day slavery, education for liberation, transformative ecumenism
  • Launched: August 23, 2022 in South Africa
  • Purpose: Reparatory justice for legacies of London Missionary Society's involvement in slavery

Key Themes Across All Programmes:

  • Transforming discipleship
  • Economic justice
  • Life-flourishing communities
  • Resistance to life-denying systems
  • Partnership and mutuality

What They Don't Fund

CWM does NOT provide funding to:

  • Organizations that are not CWM member churches or approved partner organizations
  • Individual applicants not endorsed by member churches
  • Projects unrelated to Christian mission and church development
  • Organizations outside their network of 36 member churches globally

Important Note: CWM operates as a closed network for its member churches (36 churches across Pacific, Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Caribbean, and Europe). External organizations cannot typically access funding unless they establish a formal partnership relationship through a member church.

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Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum - General Secretary (appointed 2021, 6th General Secretary)

  • Previously Director of Commission on World Mission and Evangelism, World Council of Churches (2007-2018)
  • On transforming discipleship: “A calling towards a celebration of life in its fullness with the people in their specific context and communities”
  • On economic justice: "To be authentic disciples of Jesus Christ today, it is our calling to critically and actively interfere with global hegemony of the economy's mighty power"
  • Key focus: Radical innovation for mission in contemporary context

Board of Directors (Elected 2024-2028)

Moderator: Dr Natalie Lin, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan

Treasurer: Mr James Ronnie Kaboke, United Church in the Solomon Islands

Regional Directors:

  • Africa: Ms Afika Babazile Rwayi (Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa), Rev. Chipasha Musaba
  • Caribbean: Rev. Anthony Chung, Mr Trevor Liewellyn Benn (Guyana Congregational Union)
  • East Asia: Elder Lim Kar Hor
  • Europe: Ms Gwen Aeron Down, Rev. Dylan Rhys Parry (Union of Welsh Independents, Board chair)
  • Pacific: Ms Mina Tupu Saifoloi
  • South Asia: Rev. Sunil Mankhin, Ms Zodinpuii (Presbyterian Church of India)
  • Singapore: Mrs Sarah Phua Yiran

Independent Trustees:

  • Rev. Dr Wonbin Park (Presbyterian Church of Korea) - CWM UK
  • Rev. François Opura Pihaatae - CWM UK
  • Rev. Kudzani Ndebele - CWM Africa

Governance Structure

The Assembly: Meets every 4 years with 144 delegates (four per member church). Elects Moderator, Treasurer, and Board members; addresses mission strategy and partnership matters.

Annual Members' Meeting: Convenes yearly with one representative per member church to appoint General Secretary, approve constitutional amendments, and handle membership decisions.

Board of Directors: Legally responsible trustee body meeting three times annually. Comprises 13 members plus General Secretary (ex-officio). Monitors strategy, approves major grants and budgets, reviews programmes.

Secretariat: Headed by General Secretary, implements Board policy directions and provides creative leadership.

Note: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important: CWM is primarily a membership organization serving its 36 member churches. Applications are generally only accepted from member churches and approved partner organizations.

For Member Churches:

  • Submit applications 90 days before Board meetings
  • Two annual intakes: Jan 21-Mar 15 (decision by June 30); June 21-Aug 15 (decision by Nov 30)
  • Requires tripartite Memorandum of Understanding
  • Must align with church's Capacity Development Plan
  • Annual deadline: September 30
  • Applications reviewed by Board
  • Requires Mission and Capacity Audit completion
  • Mission Consultation with stakeholders
  • Detailed programme background, context analysis, objectives
  • Implementation timeline with monitoring/evaluation plans
  • Budget documentation
  • Reviewed at Board meetings (3 times annually)
  • Requires church endorsement
  • Health form required
  • Applications vary by programme year
  • Applications vary by programme year
  • Contact CWM for current schedule

Application Resources:

  • CWM Common Resources Handbook 2018 details all programmes
  • Application forms available at: www.cwmission.org/resources/members-library/application-forms/
  • Pre-application consultation recommended for SAAP

For Non-Member Organizations:

Organizations outside CWM's member church network should:

  1. Contact their nearest CWM member church to explore partnership possibilities
  2. Inquire about becoming an approved partner organization through CWM's main office
  3. Note that direct applications from non-member organizations are generally not accepted

Decision Timeline

  • Board Meetings: Three times annually
  • AAP Decisions:
  • Applications Jan 21-Mar 15: Decision by June 30
  • Applications June 21-Aug 15: Decision by November 30
  • MCI Decisions: Following September 30 deadline
  • MSP: Applications reviewed at Board meetings; timeline varies based on project scope
  • Assembly: Every 4 years for major strategic decisions

Typical Process:

  1. Submit application with all required documentation
  2. Board review at next scheduled meeting
  3. Decision communicated following Board meeting
  4. Tripartite agreements signed where required
  5. Monitoring and evaluation throughout grant period

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, as a membership organization, CWM operates on principles of mutuality and resource-sharing rather than competitive grant-making. Member churches work collaboratively with the Secretariat to develop applications that align with CWM's strategic priorities and their own mission needs.

Reapplication Policy

  • AAP: 3-year service commitment required post-completion before further applications
  • MSP: Progressive phases (MSP1-MSP4) allow for continued support as churches develop
  • Member churches can apply to multiple programmes simultaneously
  • Unsuccessful or incomplete applications can be revised and resubmitted at subsequent Board meetings

Application Success Factors

Alignment with CWM's Strategic Vision

CWM's 2020-2029 Strategy Framework guides all funding decisions. Applications should demonstrate:

  • Commitment to "Life-flourishing Communities, living out God's promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth"
  • Alignment with transforming discipleship
  • Focus on economic justice and resisting life-denying systems

Key Success Factors Identified by CWM Leadership

From General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum:

  • "Radical insights and innovation to God's mission in today's context"
  • Projects that "critically and actively interfere with global hegemony of the economy's mighty power"
  • Initiatives celebrating “life in its fullness with the people in their specific context and communities”

Programme-Specific Priorities

For Academic Accompaniment Programme:

  • Alignment with church's long-term Capacity Development Plan
  • Women applicants (50% target) and marginalized communities prioritized
  • Post-graduate and doctoral studies preferred
  • Clear service commitment plan

For Mission Support Programme:

  • Evidence of Mission and Capacity Audit
  • Strong stakeholder engagement through Mission Consultation
  • Clear implementation timeline
  • Robust monitoring and evaluation framework
  • Focus on developing missional congregations

For Education Programmes:

  • Church endorsement essential
  • Emerging leaders recognized by their churches
  • Commitment to return and serve

For Mission from the Margins Projects:

  • Deep solidarity with marginalized communities (queer communities, Indigenous peoples, disabled people, migrants, refugees)
  • Challenges to systems that stigmatize and exclude
  • Promotion of justice and equity

For Life-flourishing Creation and Economy:

  • Alternative economic models (degrowth, planetary ubuntu, buen vivir, agroecology)
  • Environmental justice and climate reparations
  • Ecofeminism and sustainable practices

For Peace Building and Community Development:

  • Advocacy and solidarity components
  • Conflict transformation approaches
  • Sustainable, transformative community development
  • Intersectional mission approach

Core Values in Application

Applications should reflect CWM's four fundamental principles:

  • Justice in relationships: Fair and equitable partnerships
  • Mutuality, equality and interdependence: Reciprocal resource-sharing
  • Generosity of spirit: Open-hearted collaboration
  • Unity in diversity: Respect for different contexts and approaches

Practical Application Tips

  1. Partnership Approach: Frame applications as partnership opportunities rather than funding requests
  2. Contextual Mission: Demonstrate how project addresses specific local context while connecting to global mission
  3. Capacity Building: Show how funding develops long-term capacity rather than creating dependency
  4. Mutual Learning: Highlight opportunities for mutual learning and resource-sharing across member churches
  5. Prophetic Witness: Articulate how project provides prophetic witness against injustice
  6. Sustainability: Present clear sustainability plan beyond CWM funding period
  7. Monitoring and Evaluation: Include robust plans for tracking impact and sharing learnings

Common Challenges

  • Applications that don't demonstrate clear alignment with member church's strategic priorities
  • Lack of proper consultation with stakeholders
  • Insufficient evidence of capacity to implement proposed programmes
  • Unclear sustainability plans
  • Projects that reinforce dependency rather than building partnership

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Member Church Network Only: CWM primarily funds its 36 member churches and approved partners. External organizations must establish partnership through member churches.
  • Partnership Philosophy: CWM operates on mutuality and equality, not traditional donor-recipient relationships. Applications should reflect partnership language and reciprocal benefits.
  • Strategic Alignment Critical: The 2020-2029 Strategy Framework and vision for “Life-flourishing Communities” guides all decisions. Applications must clearly connect to these strategic priorities.
  • Justice-Centered Mission: Strong emphasis on economic justice, mission from the margins, and resistance to oppressive systems. Projects addressing marginalized communities are prioritized.
  • Progressive Support Available: MSP's four-phase structure allows for sustained, developmental support as churches grow their mission capacity.
  • Women and Marginalized Communities: 35-50% of education funding earmarked for women; special priority for marginalized communities across all programmes.
  • Multiple Programme Access: Member churches can apply to multiple programmes simultaneously to access different types of support (financial, personnel, training).
  • Board Meeting Schedule: With Board meetings three times annually, timing applications appropriately is crucial, especially for AAP with specific intake windows.
  • Comprehensive Documentation Required: Applications require significant documentation including audits, consultations, tripartite agreements, and detailed implementation plans.
  • Long-term Commitment: CWM seeks partners committed to transforming discipleship and long-term mission engagement, not short-term project funding.

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