The Anabaptist Mennonite Network

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £257,639
• Annual Expenditure: £216,389
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified
• Geographic Focus: United Kingdom
• Charity Number: 1175973

Contact Details

Website: www.amnetwork.uk

Email: manager@amnetwork.uk

Phone: 07564 940858

Applications are made through the contact form on their website. The organization notes that their admin support is part-time, so responses may take a few days.

Overview

The Anabaptist Mennonite Network (AMN) was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 28 November 2017. The charity is a merger of the Anabaptist Network and the Mennonite Trust, and has since received asset transfers from The London Mennonite Trust (2021), Wood Green Mennonite Church Trust (2022), and Incarnate Network (2023). With an annual income of £257,639, AMN advances the Christian faith by promoting the understanding and practice of Mennonite and other Anabaptist beliefs. The organization provides practical support and funding for Christian workers, like-minded organisations, and community projects, while also offering study bursaries and facilitating a network of Anabaptist groups across the UK. Their strategic approach centers on supporting projects that align with seven core Anabaptist convictions, including Jesus-centered discipleship, peacemaking, community, and justice.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

AMN welcomes grant applications from projects that fit with their objects and ethos, as well as relevant study bursaries. Specific grant amounts are not publicly listed. The organization offers:

• Project Funding: Grants for Christian workers, like-minded organisations, and community projects that align with Anabaptist values
• Study Bursaries: Financial support for students pursuing approved courses aligned with Anabaptist theology and practice
• Administrative Support: Can offer a home to projects and pioneers, providing help in governance, human resources, accounting, and IT

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through their website contact form.

Priority Areas

Projects funded must align with AMN's seven core convictions:

1. Jesus-Centered Discipleship: Following Jesus as example, teacher, friend, redeemer, and Lord
2. Biblical Interpretation: A Jesus-centered approach to scripture within faith community
3. Post-Christendom Perspective: Alternative ways of understanding faith beyond traditional church-state relationships
4. Rejection of Power Structures: Being good news to the poor, powerless, and persecuted
5. Community-Focused Church: Committed communities of discipleship and mission with inclusive leadership
6. Holistic Spirituality: Connecting spirituality and economics through simple living and generosity
7. Peacemaking: Peace at the heart of the gospel, committed to non-violent alternatives

Current projects supported by AMN include:

• Incarnate: Supporting pioneers to establish fresh expressions of the gospel in different contexts and neighbourhoods through grassroots relationship building
• Peaceful Borders: Working with refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants to build communities of mutual support and solidarity
• SoulSpace Belfast: A peace and reconciliation hub in Belfast recovering Celtic and Anabaptist ways
• Theology Forum: Educational and theological discussions

AMN also produces free resources, hosts events, publishes “Anabaptism Today” journal, provides speakers, and supports an Anabaptist Library at Bristol Baptist College.

What They Don't Fund

The charity specifically focuses on projects aligned with Anabaptist and Mennonite beliefs and values. Projects outside this theological framework or those that do not align with their seven core convictions are unlikely to receive support.

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Governance and Leadership

AMN is governed by seven trustees with diverse backgrounds:

• Linda Wilson, Chair: Recently became Chair, succeeding Stuart Murray Williams
• Carol Wert: Born in Pennsylvania, works with Eastern Mennonite Missions in Wales, teaches ESOL to asylum seekers
• Dumisani Ncube: From a Brethren In Christ Church background, embraces Anabaptist convictions of discipleship, generous sharing, and promoting justice
• Helen Roe: Architect, founding partner of Atkinson Roe Architects, spent formative years in Mennonite circles around the London Mennonite Centre, currently leads in a United Reformed Church
• Karen Stallard: Integrative Arts Psychotherapist, former Baptist minister, involved with Urban Expression
• Paul Rothwell: Recently retired Civil Servant, church leader in Dublin, trustee of Jobcare, involved in church leadership since the 1980s
• Phil Warburton: Baptist Minister and Community Organiser, worked in Tower Hamlets, East London for 25 years, chairs trustees of Urban Expression
• Sian Murray Williams: Welsh Baptist background, worked for Baptist organizations, involved in spiritual direction

The organization has 5 volunteers and an Office Manager (part-time). Some trustees receive payments for services to the charity.

Quote from Stuart Murray Williams (former Chair): “As followers, we do not claim to have arrived at the destination, nor need we distinguish ourselves from others who are at different stages of the journey. Churches that are committed to following Jesus can then welcome fellow travelers unreservedly and unconditionally.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

AMN accepts applications through a contact form on their website (www.amnetwork.uk/contact). Prospective applicants are encouraged to get in touch if their project aligns with AMN's values and would benefit from direct oversight or funding support.

The organization notes on their website: “There are always wonderful applications that we cannot respond to as generously as we would wish, or even at all” due to limited resources, indicating that not all applications will be successful.

The contact page advises: “Our admin support is part-time. Please bear with us if a reply takes a few days.”

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timeline is publicly available. Given the part-time administrative support, applicants should expect responses to take several days to weeks.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The charity acknowledges receiving more applications than they can fund.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated.

Application Success Factors

Based on AMN's stated priorities and values, successful applications are likely to demonstrate:

• Strong Alignment with Anabaptist Values: Projects should clearly connect to one or more of the seven core convictions, particularly Jesus-centered discipleship, peacemaking, community, and justice work
• Focus on the Marginalized: AMN emphasizes “being good news to the poor, powerless and persecuted” - projects serving refugees, asylum seekers, economically disadvantaged communities, or those promoting peace and reconciliation align well with their mission
• Post-Christendom Perspective: Understanding of faith in a post-Christendom context and willingness to explore alternative expressions of church and mission
• Community-Building Emphasis: Projects that foster “committed communities of discipleship and mission” with inclusive, participatory approaches
• Simple Living and Economic Justice: Initiatives that address economic injustice, promote generous sharing, or demonstrate simple living principles
• Peacemaking and Non-Violence: Programs pursuing justice through non-violent and creative means, or working toward reconciliation
• Pioneer Spirit: Willingness to establish fresh expressions of faith in new contexts, as evidenced by their support for Incarnate and similar initiatives

Examples of recently supported projects include:

• Incarnate (Alexandra Ellish): “Patient work of grassroots relationship building and community engagement in the hope of giving birth to a new Christian community”
• Peaceful Borders (Juliet Kilpin): Supporting asylum seekers and refugees to build mutual support communities
• SoulSpace Belfast (Karen Sethuraman): Peace and reconciliation work recovering Celtic and Anabaptist ways

The organization values applicants who understand that they are “offering an alternative and inspiring perspective” that helps people “live distinctively in a post-Christendom world” by following “the peaceful Way of Jesus.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Demonstrate theological alignment: Clearly articulate how your project embodies Anabaptist values - particularly Jesus-centered discipleship, peacemaking, community, and justice
• Serve the marginalized: Projects working with refugees, asylum seekers, the poor, or promoting peace and reconciliation are particularly well-aligned with AMN's mission
• Think beyond traditional church models: AMN supports fresh expressions of faith and pioneer work in post-Christendom contexts - innovative approaches are valued
• Be patient with process: With part-time admin support and limited resources, expect responses to take time and understand that many worthy applications cannot be funded
• Emphasize community building: Show how your project creates committed communities of discipleship and mission with inclusive, participatory leadership
• Consider broader support: Beyond financial grants, AMN can offer governance, HR, accounting, and IT support - mention if these would be valuable
• Prepare for limited funding: With annual expenditure of £216,389 spread across multiple projects, staff costs, and operational expenses, individual grants are likely modest - have realistic expectations

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Westhill Endowment
• Particular Baptist Fund
• The Nagle Family Foundation
• The National Churches Trust
• The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation
• Matchroom Charitable Foundation
• THE RETA LILA HOWARD FOUNDATION
• Cathedral Music Trust
• The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation
• SODEXO STOP HUNGER FOUNDATION

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities: The Anabaptist Mennonite Network (Charity No. 1175973), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1175973&subid=0
• Anabaptist Mennonite Network official website: https://amnetwork.uk/
• AMN Convictions page: https://amnetwork.uk/convictions/
• AMN Trustees page: https://amnetwork.uk/trustees/
• AMN Contact page: https://amnetwork.uk/contact/
• AMN Incarnate project page: https://amnetwork.uk/incarnate/
• AMN SoulSpace project page: https://amnetwork.uk/soulspace/
• Murray Williams, Stuart. “The Naked Anabaptist” (quote regarding following Jesus and welcoming fellow travelers)
• Giving is Great charity factsheet: https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1175973