Growing Faith Foundation

Charity Number: CUSTOM_0A1F168B

Stay updated on changes from Growing Faith Foundation and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed annually with specific deadlines
  • Grant Range: £2,500 - £20,000 (Learning Hubs program)
  • Geographic Focus: England (through Church of England dioceses)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/growing-faith-foundation

Email:

  • General inquiries: [email protected]
  • Learning Hubs inquiries: [email protected]
  • Network inquiries: [email protected]

Phone: Church of England Education Office - 020 7898 1219

Overview

The Growing Faith Foundation was established in 2022 by the Church of England, building on work developed across dioceses since September 2021. The Foundation seeks to benefit children and young people, helping them create the world they want to live in specifically through the lens of the Christian faith. Led by Lucy Moore, founder of the international Messy Church movement, the Foundation operates as a strategic lead across the Church of England to grow a younger and more diverse church. The organization works through four main pillars: Networks, Learning Hubs, Programmes, and Research. The Foundation's approach is grounded in four key principles for faith development among children and young people: Voices, Relationships, Rhythms, and Purpose.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Growing Faith Learning Hubs (Primary grant program):

  • Large Hubs: £10,000 per year for two years (£20,000 total)
  • Small Hubs: Up to £2,500 for 3 months to 1 year projects
  • Application method: Fixed annual deadlines (typically October for January start)
  • Purpose: To resource strong developmental communities of practice from which other school and church leaders can learn

The Foundation launched 12 Learning Hubs in 2023 across dioceses including Carlisle, Derby, Durham, Ely, Guildford, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich, Salisbury, Sheffield, Southwell and Nottinghamshire, and a shared hub across Portsmouth and Winchester. A further cohort began in January 2025, including locations in Coventry, St. Edmundsbury & Ipswich, Lichfield, and York.

Research Grants: The Foundation also commissions and funds research projects focused on children and young people's faith development, including studies on choral programs, singing and faith development, and children's concepts of holiness.

Priority Areas

  • Church-school-home partnerships that nurture children and young people's spirituality
  • Projects placing children and young people at the heart of church mission
  • Innovation and creativity across the spheres of church, home, and school
  • Faith development for under-16s
  • Creating intergenerational worship and community
  • Evidence-based approaches to Growing Faith principles (Voices, Relationships, Rhythms, Purpose)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly listed, the Foundation's focus is exclusively on:

  • Church of England dioceses and affiliated organizations
  • Projects centered on children and young people's faith development
  • Partnerships involving churches, schools, and/or households

Projects outside these parameters or not aligned with Church of England mission are unlikely to be funded.

Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Growing Faith Foundation?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Head of Foundation: Lucy Moore - A secondary school teacher by training who founded Messy Church in 2004, which has grown to over 3,500 settings in 30+ countries. She is part of the Leadership Community of Fresh Expressions, a member of the College of Evangelists, and was previously a member of General Synod. Appointed in February 2022.

Chief Education Officer: Nigel Genders - Oversees the broader Church of England education strategy and provides strategic oversight for the Growing Faith Foundation.

Structure: The Foundation operates within the Church of England's governance framework. Every diocese has appointed one or more Growing Faith Champions to advance the mission locally.

Lucy Moore on the Foundation's approach: “The Growing Faith Foundation helps schools, churches and households work together for the spiritual flourishing of all children and young people.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Learning Hubs Program:

  • Online application form available on Church of England website
  • Application guidance brochure provided
  • Informal discussions encouraged before applying - contact [email protected]
  • Applications must be supported by diocesan leadership or equivalent

Eligibility: Church/school partnerships based in a diocese, deanery, school trust, individual church or school, or other configurations may become suitable Hubs.

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadline: Typically late October (31st October for 2025/2026 cohort)
  • Decision notification: November/December
  • Program start: January of following year
  • Total timeline: Approximately 2-3 months from application deadline to notification

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly disclosed. The Foundation has funded:

  • 12 Learning Hubs in 2023
  • Additional hubs starting January 2025
  • The program continues with 4 location places available in 2026 and 4 in 2027 for smaller grants

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Given the fixed cohort model and limited number of places per year, unsuccessful applicants would likely need to wait for the next annual application cycle.

Application Success Factors

From the Foundation's guidance:

  • Strong partnerships between churches, schools, and households are essential
  • Projects must demonstrate commitment to placing children and young people at the heart of mission
  • Evidence of understanding and implementing Growing Faith principles (Voices, Relationships, Rhythms, Purpose)
  • Capacity to act as a learning hub from which others can benefit
  • Alignment with diocesan strategy and support from diocesan leadership

Key terminology used by the Foundation:

  • “Spiritual flourishing” of children and young people
  • “Intergenerational” approaches
  • “Developmental communities of practice”
  • “Pioneering” Growing Faith approaches
  • “Culture change” in the Church

Examples of funded approaches:

  • Liverpool Cathedral choral program exploring spiritual impact on children
  • Projects examining how singing nurtures children's faith and enriches collective worship
  • Research with very young children about concepts of holiness in York and Durham dioceses
  • Partnerships bringing together local churches and schools in shared mission

Standing out:

  • Demonstrate innovation while grounded in Growing Faith principles
  • Show potential for your work to benefit other churches/schools regionally and nationally
  • Articulate clear evidence of children and young people having genuine voice in the project
  • Connect to wider Church of England vision for a younger and more diverse church

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Church of England alignment is essential - This is not an open grant program but specifically for Church of England dioceses and affiliated organizations
  • Partnership is paramount - Successful applications demonstrate genuine collaboration between churches, schools, and households, not single-institution projects
  • Children's voices matter - The Foundation prioritizes projects where children and young people are active participants, not passive recipients
  • Think beyond your own context - Learning Hubs must share learning with others; show how your innovation will benefit the wider church
  • Build diocesan relationships - Informal conversations with Foundation staff and diocesan support strengthen applications significantly
  • Evidence-based approaches - The Foundation values research and data; show how you'll measure and share impact
  • Plan ahead - With annual deadlines and limited places, early preparation and relationship-building are crucial

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References