The Baptist Union Of Wales

Charity Number: 1201058

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M

Geographic Focus: Throughout Wales

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Quick Stats

Annual Giving: £568,363 (2024)
Grant Range: £500 - £9,000 (£1,000-£3,000/year for up to 3 years)
Geographic Focus: Wales
Eligibility: Baptist Union of Wales member churches and associations
Application Method: Rolling basis (limited availability)

Contact Details

Address: Building 2, Parc Dewi Sant, Job's Well Road, Carmarthen SA31 3HB

Phone: 0345 222 1514

Email: post@ubc.cymru

Website: https://buw.wales/

Grant Programme Contact: Rev Simeon Baker, Director of Mission

Email: simeon@ubc.cymru

Overview

The Baptist Union of Wales (Undeb Bedyddwyr Cymru) was established on 21 August 1866 at Llanwenarth and serves as the denominational body supporting Baptist churches, associations, leaders, and mission across Wales. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in November 2022 (charity number 1201058), the Union reported total income of £814,479 and charitable expenditure of £568,363 in 2024. The organisation's mission focuses on the advancement of the Christian faith, supporting churches in mission and ministry, and promoting cooperation with other Christian communities. Led by General Secretary Rev Judith Morris and a board of nine trustees chaired by William Davies, the Union employs 11 staff members and works with 10 volunteers. The organisation provides financial support through grants for mission projects and ministerial stipends, alongside administrative, legal, and pastoral support to its member churches.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Mission Project Grant

Amount: £1,000 - £3,000 per year
Duration: Up to 3 years (total potential maximum: £9,000)
Application Method: Rolling basis with limited availability
Current Capacity: Three grants available initially, with potential for fourth and fifth in subsequent years
Description: Supports new and creative mission initiatives that reach areas churches are not currently engaging

Genesis Grant

Amount: Up to £500
Application Method: Rolling basis
Description: Provides resources for smaller new mission initiatives

Ministerial Stipend Support

Description: Direct financial grants towards ministerial stipends, measured according to need (amounts not publicly specified)

Priority Areas

The Baptist Union of Wales funds mission initiatives that:

Are context-specific to local communities
Demonstrate innovative approaches to sharing faith
Target areas the church is not currently reaching
Align with Baptist principles and Christian mission
Have support from the local church community
Show potential for sustainability beyond the grant period

What They Don't Fund

Building projects (except in limited circumstances - churches may access Baptist Building Fund interest-free loans instead)
Large projects where the grant would make minimal impact
Projects that could reasonably be self-funded
Existing ongoing projects (grants are specifically for new initiatives)
Projects outside Wales
Non-member churches or associations that haven't paid the consolidated budget for the past three years

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The Baptist Union of Wales is governed by a board of nine trustees, including:

William (Bill) Davies - Chair
Rev Aled Davies
Mr Glyndwr Prideaux
Rev Judith Morris
Rev Dr Helen Dare
Mr Francis Maull
Rev Jonathan Forman
Mrs Ann Bowen Morgan
Miss Delyth Williams

Key Staff

Rev Judith Morris - General Secretary

Responsible for administration, leadership, and pastoral support for ministers, churches, and associations

Email: judith@ubc.cymru

Rev Simeon Baker - Director of Mission

Supports and encourages churches and associations in mission

Email: simeon@ubc.cymru

Nigel Vaughan - Finance Officer

Manages accounts and financial reporting

Email: nigel@ubc.cymru

Marc Owen - Ministry Coordinator

Supports ministers, students, and churches with ministry needs

Email: marc@ubc.cymru

Sioned Graves - Mission and Digital Communications Officer

Handles communications and supports mission efforts

Email: sioned@ubc.cymru

Application Process and Timeline

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Mission Project Grant or Genesis Grant:

Must be a church or association in membership with the Baptist Union of Wales
Must have paid the consolidated budget (£17.50 per member as of 2021) for the past three years
Must demonstrate local church support for the proposed initiative

How to Apply

Review Guidelines: Download and read the application guidelines available on the Mission Grants page at https://buw.wales/supporting-mission/mission-grants/
Pre-Application Discussion: Contact Rev Simeon Baker to discuss your mission idea before submitting a formal application
Complete Application Form: Download and complete the application form from the website
Submit Application: Submit completed application to the Baptist Union of Wales

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, but availability is limited. The Union acknowledges they cannot fund every application and may ask some churches to wait or suggest further development of project ideas before reapplication.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact Rev Simeon Baker for current processing times.

Success Rates

Exact success rates are not published. However, the Union has indicated:

Initially funding three Mission Project Grants with hope to expand to four or five
As grants conclude (remembering they run up to 3 years), new applications can be considered
More grants may be possible if requested amounts are below the maximum £3,000
The Union acknowledges they will need to “disappoint some” applicants due to limited capacity

Reapplication Policy

The Union may suggest that ideas need more development before taking full advantage of grant funding, implying reapplication is possible after strengthening proposals. No specific waiting period is documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Baptist Union of Wales' published guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Prayerful Foundation: The Union emphasizes that mission initiatives should emerge from prayer and spiritual discernment.

Imaginative Vision: Projects should show creativity in approaching mission opportunities and reaching new people or areas.

Local Context: Initiatives must be specific to the local community and its needs rather than generic programmes.

Sustainability Planning: Applications should address how the initiative will continue beyond grant funding, ensuring long-term impact.

Alignment with Baptist Principles: Projects should advance Christian faith and reflect Baptist values.

Clear Strategy: The Union looks for well-thought-out plans that demonstrate how the project will reach people the church isn't currently engaging.

Appropriate Scope: The grant amount should be meaningful for the project - neither too small to make impact nor funding something the church could reasonably self-fund.

New Initiatives: Only genuinely new projects are eligible; existing work is not funded through these grants.

According to the Union's guidance: "We would love to help every church or group with a Mission Project Grant. The reality is that we are going to have to disappoint some, ask others to perhaps wait and even suggest to one or two that an idea needs a little more work before it's ready to take full advantage of the grant being offered."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Membership matters: Ensure your church has maintained consistent membership and consolidated budget payments for three years before applying - this is a strict eligibility requirement
Start with conversation: Contact Director of Mission Rev Simeon Baker before submitting a formal application to discuss your ideas and increase alignment
Think new, not existing: Only genuinely new mission initiatives qualify - expanding or continuing existing programmes won't be funded
Limited availability means timing is crucial: With only 3-5 grants available and each lasting up to 3 years, competition is significant; apply when your idea is fully developed
Consider Genesis for smaller projects: If you need under £500, the Genesis grant may be faster and face less competition than the Mission Project Grant
Sustainability is key: Show how your mission initiative will continue after grant funding ends - one-off projects with no legacy may struggle
Building projects need different route: If your mission requires capital works, contact the Baptist Building Fund for interest-free loans rather than applying for mission grants