Innovation Fund
A funding scheme to encourage growth and new ways of working.
Congregations will be able to apply to the fund for grants to invest in people – that is, to employ or contract with people who can help them innovate in the way they develop, communicate and deliver an engaging and rewarding spiritual and social experience for current and new members.
Ideally, two or more congregations will collaborate in a joint project, maybe with robust and thriving congregations supporting and encouraging emerging congregations.
District support will be critical to success and a condition to attract the match funding from the scheme.
For more detailed information, you can download this document that answers some of the Frequently Asked Questions about this new fund.
Some examples of possible projects:
- A group of Congregations could apply for funds to recruit a new full time Minister who has innovative plans for developing local Ministry to reach beyond the current membership.
- The scheme could pay for a full-time administrator for several Congregations, with the aim of improving revenue by innovative use of buildings, assisting the Trustees with accounting and day to day financial management, and freeing up time for Ministers or other leaders to increase community engagement.
- Or maybe a group of Congregations wants to commission advice on developing a clear and innovative “Welcome” message, provide training for volunteers and enhance communication with the broader community, including paying for various events to focus engagement with existing and potential new members.
- These are just suggestions, not prescriptions. The scheme would be open to all innovative ideas for building capabilities for rejuvenating and growing our movement.