Mission Fund Info

What is the fund for?

The fund, administered by the DMPC, will award grants to churches who want to start a project, have an idea which needs support or have identified a specific mission potential in their community. The grants can be awarded for start-up costs and initial running costs. 

The idea is that these are small seed grants, up to £500, which allow missional innovation, risk and trial. Projects which are new, which are experimental and courageous will be favoured, as will projects which actively seek to involve and work with Young People. 

We are not looking for “guaranteed success” and want to learn from “glorious failure” - but any projects which do gain momentum will be encouraged to seek further funding from the Diocesan Development Fund.

Who can apply?

Applications can be made from any church in the MK Deanery with the following conditions:

• No more than 2 awards can be made to a single church in a calendar year

• Projects must have clergy support (or PCC support during vacancies) but must be lay lead

• The host church of the project agrees to insure the project

• Safeguarding policies are in place, training given where needed and all good-practice procedures followed

How much is available?

The fund is created from historic rebates and reserves. 

Applications are invited for sums up to £500

Amounts over £500 would only be considered in exceptional circumstances, but in most instances applicants would be directed to the Diocese Development Fund

Funds will be paid to Church accounts, not personal accounts. A system of either local fund release or expense claim must be agreed before funds will be released by the Deanery. Although the DMPC does not require sight of receipts, we will appreciate records of what the money was spent on. 

What is the reporting process?

We are eager to share stories, encourage others in the deanery and learn lessons as a community of believers. As such we will seek feedback from the project at DMPC meetings in written form, and at Synod meetings in person. Where appropriate, other churches and parishes may wish to follow-up and initiate similar projects; understanding that this is not a competition but rather Kingdom Collaboration.