Sheffield Diocesan Board Of Finance

Sheffield Diocesan Board Of Finance is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 245861).

Sheffield Diocesan Board Of Finance exists to assist and promote the religious and other charitable work of the Church of England in the Diocese of Sheffield. Its Grants Committee meets at least three times a year to consider applications from parishes for ongoing activities. Its annual giving is £767,000, and grants are usually no more than £5,000 a year for up to three years.

Priority Areas

The Diocese makes grants to parishes and other groups in the Diocese of Sheffield for projects that advance the Church’s work and mission. Its stated grantable activities include evangelism, church growth and fresh expressions, building refurbishment and capital items, and one-off events or activities that engage people with the Church’s mission; it may also support staff and other project costs. Applications are expected to align with the Diocesan Vision and Strategy and a Mission Action Plan, with a plausible route to church growth and a clear account of costs. The committee favours proposals with demonstrable merit, an urgent need or likely lasting, substantive impact. It considers applicants’ accounts, budgets and reserves, and for churches seeks assurance about Common Fund contributions. Partnership work is encouraged, as are projects involving young adults, families, teenagers or children.

Themes

• Church growth and evangelism
• Church buildings
• Church events

Geographic Focus

The Diocese.

Complete the Diocesan Grant Application form and submit it by email or post to the Grants Committee Secretary.

Deadlines: Applications are due by 5pm on the Monday of the week before a committee meeting.

Who can apply:

• Diocesan Grant
  • Any part of the Diocese may apply for a grant – parishes, teams, mission partnerships, deaneries, fresh expressions, organisations.
  • For applications from churches, the Committee seeks assurances that parishes are up to date in their Common Fund Pledge and contributions, or have agreed a clear strategy for recovery.

What to send:

• Diocesan Grant
  • A clear explanation of what is proposed and detailed costs and budgets.
  • A sustainability plan, if appropriate.
  • A budgeted copy of estimates for the project.
  • A cash flow forecast for the duration of the grant.
  • A copy of the parish’s latest accounts.
  • A copy of the parish’s budget for the present year.
  • A copy of the Faculty Certificate, where relevant.
  • Additional supporting information.

What the charity says:

• The committee favours applications with demonstrable merit, an urgent need or likely lasting and substantive impact.
• Applications should relate to the Church’s work in the Diocese and the Diocesan Vision and Strategy.
• Applications should be linked to the applicant’s Mission Action Plan.
• Applicants should show a plausible route by which their proposal could result in church growth.
• The committee considers applicants’ accounts, budgets and deployment of reserves.
• For church applicants, the committee seeks assurance that Common Fund pledges and contributions are up to date or that a recovery strategy is agreed.
• Partnership projects are encouraged.
• Projects involving people in their twenties or thirties, families, teenagers or children are particularly invited.