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Giving and Fundraising

The giving message

Last Updated on Friday, 19 April 2013 10:09

Many people think that Giving is to be encouraged just to pay our bills, including Parish Share.

coins Although it has a practical value, Giving is also a very spiritual matter as we give to thank God for all that he has given us. Our Giving shows what we think of God.

Parish Giving Directors - Job Description

Background

The Diocese of Sheffield has a long history of having an active ministry of Giving including our money. As a Diocese we have one of the highest levels of average planned Giving within the Church of England. Our network of Parish Giving Directors has played a major part in this achievement and many other dioceses have followed our initiative in this way.

For several years it has been the aim of the Diocesan Giving Group to see a Parish Giving Director in every parish.

Parish Giving Directors

Parish Giving Directors are each a member of their own parish congregation. Their role is to work in co-operation with the incumbent, parish treasurer, and Gift Aid secretary to encourage church members to consider their Giving realistically and proportionately. Such a team can be very effective with each member giving the rest of the team support and encouragement.

Parish Giving Directors should be conscientious about their own Giving. They should have a high expectation of church members to respond by encouraging regular, committed and sacrificial Giving. This often takes some time to achieve and requires tact, patience and love.

They should be prepared to initiate and manage parish giving campaigns and renewals in conjunction with the incumbent and PCC and with the advice of the Diocesan Christian Giving Director.

The Need for a Director

It may take time for church members to appreciate that the ability of the local Church to become a living witness to Christ’s presence includes the provision of money resources.

It may take even longer for the members to appreciate that the local parish is part of a wider family of parishes which we call the Diocese. The Diocese resources ministry in its parishes, funded by Parish Share which is paid by each parish according to a formula which shares the ability to pay for this ministry in as fair a way as possible. If all are to work together and find facilities for training and development and other parish support, money resources are again required.

In all these things the Parish Giving Director can help greatly to lead, encourage, and motivate. The Diocesan Christian Giving Director is available to help with this and provide useful resources.

Some useful resources are available to download below, as well as on the Church of England website at www.parishresources.org.uk/givingforlife

Attachments:
File	order	Last Modified
Giving for life individual leaflet		30/01/11 15:24
Notes on Christian Giving talk		30/01/11 15:23
Six-Steps-in-giving.pdf		09/05/10 12:31
givingfortheloveofgod.pdf		09/05/10 12:30
Givingcanputasmileonyourface.pdf		09/05/10 12:30

Where the money goes

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 January 2013 13:47

Christians are asked to give both to resource the church and in thanks for all God has given us in our lives. Christian Giving is therefore both practical and spiritual.

Our Giving enables ministry to be resourced throughout the Diocese, both in communities that can afford a financially viable, self-supporting church and those challenging areas that cannot. Paying Parish Share is therefore a MISSION payment which helps to provide ministry throughout the Diocese. This ministry is principally in parishes, but some of it is specialist ministry in the University, prisons, workplaces, and giving support on children's and youth work, church schools and stewardship.

A leaflet can be downloaded below outlining the Diocesan Budget for 2012.

Attachments:
File	order	Last Modified
Diocesan Budget 2012		17/01/13 13:50

Help with Fundraising

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 January 2011 10:15

Funding your vision

An inspirational thought: "Fundraising is proclaiming what you believe in and proclaiming it in such a way as to offer others the opportunity to participate in your vision." Henry Nouwen

Many churches are involved in repair, renovation, re-ordering projects and/or activities which benefit their local communities.
When a church has a vision for refurbishment or for providing new community activities, finding the money to fund it can seem daunting, especially when the total cost may be many thousands - in some cases millions - of pounds. Often just knowing where to start when fundraising can be the biggest challenge.

Funding information and how to find out what is available can seem daunting but there are loads of websites, CD ROMs, directories, and books, some free and some by subscription that can help.

A great source of info on general grant making trusts and company giving is via the directory of social change. The web site is: www.dsc.org.uk and look under "publications". They sell books, directories of local and national trusts, CD ROMS and a searchable website of grant making trusts.

Free sources of funding information are:

www.ffhb.org.uk
Funds for Historic Buildings. This website has a database specifically for searching for funds for historic buildings

www.syfab.org.uk
South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau. A free funding search and support organisation for local community groups. They produce a regular newsletter, updates and downloadable information sheets, have some support workers and a free funding search service.

www.governmentfunding.org.uk
Searchable database and funding alert for government funding pots.

www.sycf.org.uk
South Yorkshire Community Foundation offer a range of small to medium grants to local groups and help administer some Government grants like Keyfund and The Children's Fund
Local Initiative. Keyfund has its own site at www.sykeyfund.org.uk

www.better-fundraising-ideas.com
Fundraising ideas

The Diocesan booklet “Funding Your Church Project” is free for churches and church based projects in the Diocese and has helpful hints and tips on refining your vision, different sources of funding, making funding applications and a list of some local, regional and national sources of funding.