Emergency fund for cost-of-living projects

Please note, this fund is now closed.

This new fund exists to help Ministry Areas engage with their local community to tackle the current cost-of-living crisis and will be open to applications until the Spring of 2023.

Applications will be considered for new and existing projects that address social outreach and look to help tackle identified local needs arising from the cost-of-living crisis. Such projects can include existing provision of food banks, warm banks, as well as new ideas to address local issues.

The Diocese is committed to helping churches and Ministry Areas to transform the wider community by service that meets local needs. It is hoped that projects will extend the local church’s engagement with people and groups, and introduce Christ in such a way that people may have the opportunity to consider following him.

Matched funding is not required, but if your project is set to run for longer than 6 months, you will be required to demonstrate how you’ll look to make the work sustainable.

Please note that this fund is aimed at addressing social issues arising from the current cost-of-living crisis. For other community outreach and church mission projects, please apply to the Mission Fund.

The Emergency Fund does not provide funding for building work or refurbishments to church buildings; the Churches and Pastoral Committee has a fund that churches can apply to for building work. The Diocesan Office can also compile reports of external funders that could potentially help you with other funding streams for capital projects. Please contact the Diocesan Office for more details.

Help & Advice

If you have a project or would like more advice, contact Archdeacon Peter Brooks at PeterBrooks@cinw.org.uk or Mandy Bayton at MandyBayton@cinw.org.uk

If you require any assistance in completing the application form, or have any further questions, help is available from Kes Seymour at the Diocesan Centre:

Tel: 01874 623 716

Email: kessseymour@churchinwales.org.uk

Practicalities

Applicants

Applications are welcomed from Ministry Areas and deaneries. Applications from parishes and benefices must be informed by Ministry Area plans and be signed off by the relevant Ministry Area Leader. Collaborative applications are particularly welcomed.

It is important to study the context of the people or the communities one hopes to reach before deciding on a project. Applicants should be able to show that the project is supported by their Ministry area. Support for this can be provided by our Evangelism Officer, Mandy Bayton.

Grants

Grants will be given at the discretion of the Diocesan Funding Committee (DFC). The minimum grant which can be applied for is £100.

Grants can be used to meet any cost associated with an approved project.

For ongoing projects that will require funding after the initial grant, the applicant must demonstrate a fundraising sustainability plan.

All projects must benefit communities within the Diocese of Swansea & Brecon.

You can download an application form here.

Process

The process for considering applications will vary depending on the size of the application:

• Fast Track Grants (£100 - £500) will be approved by the relevant Archdeacon and the Diocesan Secretary. Applications for this level of grant will normally be processed within two or three days.
• Small Grants (£500 - £1,000) will be approved by the Chair of the DFC with the relevant Archdeacon and Diocesan Secretary. You might also be contacted for more information. Applications for this level of grant will normally be processed within one week.
• Medium Grants and Large Grants will be considered by the full Funding Committee electronically. If the application is for a grant towards employment costs for either a proposed or current employee, a copy of the job description should be included. You might also be contacted for more information. Applications for this level of grant will normally be processed within two weeks.

Reporting back

Your Diocese wants to know how the grant has enabled transformation in your parish. Therefore, recipients of grants will be required to complete a standard feedback form. This will facilitate the sharing of good news and practice, to encourage and inform other parishes in their mission. You may also be contacted by the Diocesan Communications Director to share your project story.

Payment

• Grants will only be paid into relevant charity bank accounts.
• Payments are preferably made to the successful applicant by BACS transfer.
• Once the application has been formally approved by the DFC, funds will be transferred to the relevant charity bank account on the next scheduled payment run (fortnightly).