Diocesan grants

This page includes details of funding available for different organisations.

See also: Church buildings: grants and fundraising →

LIFE Together Fund

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”
(Words of Jesus from John 10:10)
The Diocese of Gloucester’s vision of LIFE Together emerged from listening to stories from across the Diocese and noticing what was being lived. Together we committed to go out and share the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that people may know life in all its fullness.

Our LIFE Together Fund aims to serve and engage communities through our five spotlight commitments, with a hope that people of all ages and backgrounds will be inspired to discover Jesus Christ for themselves, transforming lives and communities. To do this we invest, support, and empower people and organisations with great ideas from across the Diocese to drive change and growth in their local area.

If you are someone, lay or ordained, who has a vision and a path to realising it, whether that be starting gaming sessions for teenagers, or building a county-wide network of social enterprises, then we may be able to help you do that with some encouragement, support and finance.

10:10

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

Life to the full

10:10 is a Diocese of Gloucester initiative for Christian leaders of charities and social enterprises. Inspired by the words of Jesus in John 10:10, it brings together a network of creative thinkers and do-ers who are passionate about social justice and community transformation. It is for those who carry bold ideas but sometimes feel the tension of limited resources, or the fear of getting things wrong.

10:10 exists to say ‘Let’s have a go anyway.’

10:10 is not about always getting it right. It is about seeking to make the Kingdom of God known in new and creative ways, sharing learning along the way, and building something that lasts. Some of the impact from the work we do now might not be seen for 10 or 20 years and that’s okay. This is about the long term.

What 10:10 offers

10:10 brings people together through four interconnected areas of support:

Network Breakfasts: Informal bi-monthly gatherings for leaders from across the diocese. A chance to connect with like-minded people from different sectors, be encouraged in your work and discover potential partnerships and collaborations. See below for more information.

The 10:10 Circle: Our annual leadership and learning cohort. A small group of leaders coming together across four sessions to develop their vision, test their ideas, and grow together. See below for more information.

Masterclass Training Days: Practical, focused learning days on topics relevant to leading Christian social impact work.

1:1 Mentoring and Coaching Personalised support from the 10:10 team, for leaders at any stage of their journey.

Network Breakfasts

The Breakfasts are an opportunity to meet like-minded leaders from across the diocese – people from different sectors, with different approaches – united by a shared passion for enabling others to flourish.

Who are they for? They are open to Christian leaders of charities and social enterprises whose work is focused on helping people have life to the full. We also warmly welcome those who are sympathetic to the Christian ethos of their organisation, even if they do not identify as a Christian themselves.

Breakfasts are a place to be encouraged, find support and explore potential partnerships and collaborations across the network.

Please note: Network Breakfasts are not generally for clergy or church leaders, unless you run projects or are part of organisations that serve people beyond your own parish, or you have previously taken part in a 10:10 Circle and are part of the 10:10 network.

Breakfasts are held bi-monthly, from 9.30-11.30am, initially on a Friday morning at The Grace Network’s site at Brimscombe Mill, Stroud. They are free to attend, and the dates are below:

22 May 2026

10 July

18 September

13 November

22 January 2027

The 10:10 Circle

Do you have a great idea but aren’t quite sure what it might look like? Are you wondering whether it has merit, or how to get it off the ground? Are you curious about building partnerships and collaborative working?

If that sounds like you, the 10:10 Circle could be just what you need!

The 10:10 Circle is an annual leadership and learning cohort that brings together Christian leaders from across the diocese to develop their vision, test their ideas, and grow a network of like-minded people. Everyone benefits from the collective wisdom in the room and the encouragement to try something new.

What’s involved?

The Circle runs across four sessions, led by Will Mansell (the Grace Network), Catherine Pearson (Goodmakers’ Society) and the Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry.

The four core themes explored are:

Why? Digging deeper into the motivations and passions behind the work you want to do

How? What makes your idea or organisation different? Exploring the attitudes and cultures that shape your work

What? Unpacking the detail – how will it work in your context, and how might it be sustainably funded?

Partnership and collaboration: Bringing together everything learned to think creatively about partnerships and collaborative working

By the end of the programme, members will have developed a vision and plan for a project, partnership or scheme and will have built relationships and networks that carry on long beyond the sessions themselves.

Is the Circle for me?

You don’t need a polished proposal or formal leadership experience. You need curiosity, passion and a willingness to try. You might hold a leadership role in a Christian organisation, be a member of a church with a vision for something new, or be a lay or ordained leader ready to take an idea seriously.

The Circle is for people who say: “We think we’ve got something, we’re just not sure yet what it might look like. But if we don’t try it, we’ll never know.”

The 10:10 Circle runs annually. The next one starts in October 2026 and applications are now open. We just need a short written submission about your organisation, idea or project. We’d like to know what you’re hoping to gain from being part of the cohort. Up to two people from the same organisation may apply together, and provide two references.

The next cohort will be running on four days, between 9.30am and 3.30pm, at Brimscombe Mill, on the following dates. Applicants need to be available to attend all four sessions. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

19 October 2026

26 November

21 January 2027

24 February 2027

To find out more about the 10:10 Circle please read our 10:10 Circle information booklet

For more information about 10:10 please contact Kathryn Warner on ku.gr1778978032o.coi1778978032dsolg1778978032@renr1778978032awk1778978032

 

To make an application to become part of the 10:10 Circle click here.

 

Mission Grant Scheme

In support of LIFE Together, we have a Mission Grant Scheme to enable and encourage local mission initiatives. We are particularly keen to provide ‘seed-corn’ grants to help local projects get off the ground, but will also consider applications for larger sums up to £3,000.

A wide variety of missional activity will be considered. It may be money to help buy resources to start a Messy Church or holiday club, or a lunch club for the elderly. In the past, money has been given to help fund youth projects and evangelistic events. The key thing is that the work is consistent with the aims of LIFE Together. The fund wouldn’t normally support ongoing costs or maintenance repairs to buildings.

The fund is chiefly to support the work of local churches, chaplaincies and fresh expressions, but we will also consider applications from individuals and other entities, provided their objectives are consistent with the LIFE vision.

Initial information can be found by clicking here – Mission Grant Scheme Information.

An application form can be found at Mission Grant Scheme Application Form, once complete please return to Ruth Cameron

If you would like to know more about the Mission Grant Scheme please contact the Director of the Department of Mission and Ministry the Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar – ku.gr1778978032o.coi1778978032dsolg1778978032@rall1778978032ims1778978032.

The Hibiscus Project

Grants for projects to enable a welcoming and caring church.

All worshipping communities can apply for a small grant of up to £350 from The Hibiscus Project to support projects that enable a welcoming and caring church.

Bishop Rachel said: “The Hibiscus Project has been developed in memory of Neil Todd. Neil was a victim of Peter Ball, and tragically took his own life in August 2012. We wish to commend his tenacity and courage and that of other victims and survivors.

“Neil was a nurse with a passion for caring for others. It was with this in mind that we wanted to provide a fund to support projects that care for and welcome people of all ages to engage in church life and worship.

“A small fund has been dedicated to helping local worshipping communities to deliver new and existing ways of ensuring that all people, no matter what age, are able to attend, participate and engage with church life and worship.”

This grant offers opportunities for supporting a wide range of projects or activities such as:

• holding a party to celebrate carers in the community;
• sending a member of your church on training in welcoming a specific section of the community (ie dementia awareness, accessibility);
• starting a monthly coffee morning for people who are lonely.

You can be as creative and imaginative as you like.

How to apply

Please contact The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Director of Mission & Ministry in the first instance.  Applications will be considered once a year around September/October time.

Other funding opportunities and useful links

The Sylvanus Lysons Charity provides funding for local projects within the Diocese of Gloucester. Further details can be found on their webpage here: Sylvanus Lysons grant-making charity – Diocese of Gloucester (anglican.org)

Support for charities in developing specific projects and longer term resilience: For Charities | Pilotlight

Support for charities and parishes from the Benefact Trust: Advice and Resources | Benefact Trust

Invest Leadership Programme for Gloucestershire Charities: INVEST Programme for Charities – sustain, develop and grow – Gloucestershire CF

There are some alternative way of funding posts that might meet the criteria for an apprenticeship – take a look at the information below to see if apprenticeship funding might be suitable for you:

Use of the Apprenticeship Levy; Apprenticeship Funding Application Form May 2019

www.actionfunder.org – matching up businesses who want to invest in community projects, with charities delivering those projects

www.acf.org.uk – Association of Charitable foundations

Funding Directory | Discover Funding Opportunities Today — Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance – Voluntary and Community Sector’s funding bulletin

www.christianfundersforum.org

https://fundsonline.org.uk/

www.dsc.org.uk – Directory of Social Change

www.grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/ – App to help you find funders

www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/

www.thegrowthhub.biz

https://charitysetup.org.uk/ help in setting up your charity

 

www.thinknpc.org Theory of change

See also: small grants and PCC loans