The United Reformed Church (southern Synod) Trust Limited

Charity Number: 282270

Annual Expenditure: £4.3M
Throughout London, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Contact Info

Website:www.urcsouthern.org.uk

Phone:020 8688 3730

Email:financeandtrust@urcsouthern.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £3,386,351 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 1 month (for applications up to £20,000)
  • Grant Range: £1,200 - £25,000+ (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: South London, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex

Contact Details

Website: www.urcsouthern.org.uk

Email: financeandtrust@urcsouthern.org.uk

Phone: 020 8688 3730

Office Address: East Croydon URC, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon

Program-Specific Contacts:

  • Mission grants (children/youth): Tom Hackett, Children's and Youth Development Officer
  • Mission grants (general): Jo Patterson, Mission and Discipleship Officer (jo.patterson@urcsouthern.org.uk)
  • Property grants: Colin McCracken, Property Officer (colin.mccracken@urcsouthern.org.uk)

Overview

The United Reformed Church (Southern Synod) Trust Limited (Charity No. 282270) was established to advance the Christian religion in accordance with the United Reformed Church's doctrine, principles, and usages. The Trust serves as Corporate Trustee and Agent for the Southern Synod, holding properties and assets and managing income and expenditure for approximately 140 URC and united churches across South London, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. With total income of £7.4 million and charitable expenditure of £3.4 million in 2024, the organization provides significant financial support to local churches through various grant and loan programs. The Synod operates under its 2024-2027 strategic framework “Renew, Reimagine, Reorder,” focusing on supporting faithful disciples, leveraging resources for mission, and optimizing organizational structures to encourage and resource congregational life and mission.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Strategic Mission Fund

  • Amount: Up to £20,000 (electronic consideration); larger amounts considered at panel meetings
  • Purpose: Mission-focused, people-centered, risk-taking projects; not for church buildings
  • Examples: Toddler groups, community gardens, youth/children's workers, AV/IT equipment, community cafes, warm spaces, translation services, mental health support, ecumenical projects, administrative support with outreach responsibilities
  • Application Method: Email initial application form; larger applications require additional documentation (mission statement, community assessment, funding investigation, project plan)
  • Decision Timeline: Response within one month for applications up to £20,000
  • Reporting: Submit impact report within one year of award

Annual Church Building Maintenance Grant

  • Amount: Up to £2,500 (increased from £2,000 in 2025)
  • Purpose: Repairs and maintenance of church buildings, including listed churches
  • Application Method: Letter or email with receipted invoices to Property Administrator
  • Note: Unclaimed grants can be carried forward one year only

Church Buildings Fund (National Program)

  • Grants: £1,000 - £25,000 for building projects
  • Loans: Up to £75,000 for building works; up to £25,000 for professional fees
  • Requirements: Projects must cost minimum £30,000; loans limited to 50% of project cost
  • Process: Organized by Synod Treasurers; requires Synod support

Minister Training Grants

  • Sabbatical Grant: £1,200 (after 10 years' service, every 10th year thereafter)
  • EM2 (first 3 years post-ordination): Full course costs plus travel and books up to £350/year
  • EM3 (post-EM2): Full course costs plus travel and books up to £700/year
  • International Experiences: Additional grants for belonging to the World Church (separate from EM3)

Priority Areas

  • Mission-focused, people-centered projects
  • Community engagement and outreach
  • Youth and children's work
  • Projects enabling mission through supportive roles
  • Churches that have not previously received Synod funding (particularly encouraged)
  • Evangelism and discipleship development
  • Lay and ordained ministry support
  • Pastoral care initiatives
  • Diverse models of faith community

What They Don't Fund

Strategic Mission Fund: Church buildings (capital projects)

Annual Church Building Maintenance Grant excludes:

  • Gardening
  • Annual equipment servicing
  • Electrical testing
  • Lightning protection testing
  • Fire equipment servicing
  • Major alterations/improvements
  • Cleaning and maintenance contracts
  • Buildings insurance
  • Surveys and inspections

Minister Training Grants exclude:

  • Nationally organized EM2 courses
  • Synod ministers' Spring Schools
  • ONET Days

Governance and Leadership

Synod Officers:

  • Moderator: Currently vacant
  • Revd Martin Hayward: Synod Clerk
  • John Denison: Treasurer
  • Revd Russell Furley-Smith: Synod Council Convenor

Key Staff:

  • Jo Patterson: Mission and Discipleship Officer (mission grants contact)
  • Tom Hackett: Children's and Youth Development Officer (youth/children's grants)
  • Colin McCracken: Property Officer (property grants contact)
  • Catherine Kingdom: Finance Officer
  • Revd Charisa Hunter-Crump: Training and Development Officer
  • Revd Cristina Cipriani: Ecumenical Development Officer

Governance:

  • 7 trustees
  • 8 employees
  • 14 volunteers
  • Company number: 01529484

The organization is divided into 4 synod areas: South London, Surrey and Sussex, Kent and East Sussex, and Central Sussex United Area.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Strategic Mission Fund:

  1. Forms available in Documents Library under 'Grants and Loans'

Annual Church Building Maintenance Grant:

  • Send letter or email to Property Administrator (property@urcsouthern.org.uk)
  • Include receipted invoices

Minister Training Grants:

  • Contact Synod office
  • Use specific forms: G1 for EM2-3 claims, G2 for sabbatical claims
  • Submit expense claims promptly
  • Complete report forms (R1/R2) after course completion

Decision Timeline

  • Strategic Mission Fund (up to £20,000): Response within one month via electronic consideration
  • Strategic Mission Fund (over £20,000): Considered at periodic panel meetings
  • Annual Church Building Maintenance Grant: Not specified
  • Minister Training Grants: Reviewed by Ministries Committee

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Synod particularly encourages applications from churches that have not previously received Synod funding, suggesting openness to new applicants.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is published on the website. Contact the relevant officer for guidance if an application is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities:

The Synod's 2024-2027 strategy “Renew, Reimagine, Reorder” emphasizes:

  • Supporting faithful disciples and promoting prayer
  • Encouraging evangelism programs
  • Supporting lay and ordained ministry
  • Providing financial resources for mission
  • Exploring diverse faith community models

First-Time Applicants Encouraged:

The Strategic Mission Fund explicitly states: “Applications are particularly encouraged from churches which have not previously received Synod funding.”

Mission Focus:

The Strategic Mission Fund prioritizes “missional, people-focused, risk-taking projects.” Applications should demonstrate clear mission impact and community engagement.

Project Size:

Small projects are welcome: “Projects might be quite small,” while larger projects typically involve employing specialist workers.

Reporting Requirements:

Demonstrate commitment to accountability by understanding that successful applicants must submit a report within one year showing the project's impact on local mission.

Documentation for Larger Grants:

For applications over £20,000, thoroughly prepare:

  • Clear mission statement
  • Assessment of community situation
  • Evidence of investigating other funding sources
  • Detailed project plan with timelines and outcomes

Examples of Funded Project Types:

  • Toddler group startup costs
  • Community garden development
  • Youth/children's worker employment
  • AV/IT equipment for outreach
  • Community outreach (warm spaces, cafes)
  • Translation services
  • Mental health support initiatives
  • Ecumenical collaborative projects
  • Administrative support with outreach responsibilities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Fast decisions for smaller grants: Applications up to £20,000 receive responses within one month, making this an accessible option for timely project needs
  • First-timers welcome: The Synod actively encourages applications from churches that haven't previously received funding, reducing barriers for new applicants
  • Mission over buildings: The Strategic Mission Fund explicitly supports people-focused mission work, not capital projects—ensure your application emphasizes community impact and evangelism
  • Scale appropriately: Small projects are explicitly welcomed; don't feel you need a large-scale initiative to apply
  • Build relationships early: Contact Jo Patterson (general mission), Tom Hackett (children/youth), or Colin McCracken (property) to discuss your project before formal application
  • Demonstrate risk-taking: The fund seeks “risk-taking projects,” so don't shy away from innovative or experimental approaches to mission
  • Geographic eligibility is clear: Your church must be within South London, Kent, Surrey, or Sussex to qualify for Southern Synod grants

References

  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - Grants and Loans to Churches. https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/grants-and-loans-to-churches/
  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - Mission Projects, Grants and Resources. https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/mission-resources/
  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - Annual Church Grant. https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/annual-church-grant/
  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - Minister's Training Grants and Funding Guidance. https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/ministers-training-grants/
  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - Meet The Team. https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/team/
  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - Renew, Reimagine, Reorder (Synod Strategy 2024-7). https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/synod-strategy-2024-7/
  1. Southern Synod of the United Reformed Church - About Us. https://southernsynodurc.org.uk/about-us-2/
  1. The Charity Commission - THE UNITED REFORMED CHURCH (SOUTHERN SYNOD) TRUST LIMITED (Charity No. 282270). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=282270&subid=0
  1. United Reformed Church - Church Buildings Fund. https://urc.org.uk/your-church/guidance-support-for-churches-synods/church-finance/the-church-buildings-fund/