About the Development Fund
The amount of money available to parishes, benefices and deaneries in the Diocese of Oxford is up to £1m each year.
Grant applications to the Development Fund must support local projects that are missionally creative, reflect where God is at work in the community, and encourage wider learning across the diocese.
The Fund is open to all but aims to be particularly helpful to those parishes who, after paying Parish Share and other essential costs, have very limited financial resources to invest in missional activity. We know even modest grants can make a significant difference in such parishes.
If you are looking for a summary of the application process, where to get help and advice on your project, and tips on how to make a good application, try this printable leaflet.
1. Why you should apply
We are called to put into deep water and let down the nets: to tell the Christian story with love and hope and confidence.
Parishes, benefices and deaneries can bid for grants from the Development Fund to enable missional creativity and support local Christ-like Church projects.
As with any grant application process, there is a lot of information at first glance. We suggest reading the guidance on eligibility, priorities, and 'how to apply' in order, starting with the information below.
2. Our grants: eligibility and application deadlines
Two types of grant are available to support missional activity by any parish, benefice, deanery or chaplaincy in the Diocese of Oxford. Find out more:
Who can apply
Any parish, benefice, deanery or chaplaincy in the Diocese of Oxford may apply. Applications linked to schools should be made through the relevant parish (or deanery). In most cases we expect applications to be signed by the parish incumbent (or for a deanery, the Area Dean or Lay Chair) and any grants paid to a PCC (or Deanery) account.
Application deadlines
There are four submission deadlines per year for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Grant applications. We will respond to applicants within two months of the submission deadline.
Fund scope and restrictions
3. Priorities for the Development Fund
The aim of the Development Fund is to encourage church communities in five areas:
- to become a more Christ-like church
- to encourage discernment
- to be missionally creative
- to learn together
- to support initiatives that are sustainable
Find out more about each of these priorities.
4. Guidance notes and application forms
Our how to apply page contains everything you need to make a grant application.
5. Projects supported by the Development Fund
We have already supported over 200 parishes and deaneries with their mission development: be inspired by their stories of change and find out how the fund might support your vision and journey to become a more Christ-like church:
6. The Development Fund Panel
John Sykes, Diocesan Lay Chair, chairs the Panel that reviews applications.
The Panel includes clergy and lay members from across the Diocese. They bring a wide range of experience and skills to the Panel's review of applications and oversight of the Fund.