How to Fundraise

Begin at the beginning with fundraising

Good fundraising begins with prayer. This helps develop a clear Godly vision for your church - What are you seeking to achieve? Why is it needed or contributes to what is already positive in your locality? Where is the evidence for this? What difference it will make to people after the project is completed? It can also help speaking with other churches about their fundraising experiences.

How-to Guides to fundraising

Church of England’s Parish Resources. This is an excellent range of ‘funding guides’- 12 guides on capital fundraising and 6 further guides on church activity fundraising. This includes traditional fundraising methods and online fundraising.
Code of Fundraising Practice. The Church of England have created a page that links to the Code of Fundraising Practice (in full), provided a simple guidance document for churches and guide for churches for vulnerable people.

Further How-to Guides

Ecclesiastical Insurance Fundraising Hub. Provides advice and suggestions for grants, including offering 1:1 support.
Charity Fundraising: A guide to trustees duties, (CC20) by the Charity Commission. This explores essential matters to consider when fundraising from the public.
NVCO Know How. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) has a detailed and practical guide on funding and income, including fundraising. This resource is free.
Fundraising Guide by the Diocese of London. A step-by-step guide to community fundraising, capital campaigns (fundraising for building projects) and trusts and foundations (grants
Crossing the Threshold toolkit by the Diocese of Hereford. This comprehensive guide to a community development approach to the use of church buildings includes the chapter 'Raising the Funds'.
National Churches Trust A simple guide to how to fundraise for your project.
Community events A to Z by CAFOD. (A Catholic charity). An inspiring list of community fundraising events
Better Fundraising Ideas: church fundraising. Some practical suggestions for activities
Institute of Fundraising. This is the professional membership body for UK fundraising. The website has a wealth of guidance applicable to all types of organisations on different approaches to fundraising and legalities.
Business Plan- a guide on how to write one from The Prince's Regeneration Trust
Book, 'A Spirituality of Fundraising', Henri Nouwen, 2011
Book, 'Beyond the Collection Plate: developing church income from different sources', Steve Pierce, 2015.

Fundraising and the law

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Guidance from the Church of England's Parish Resources
The Code of Fundraising Practice: guide for churches is a guidance sheet produced by the C of E's Parish Resources team.
Institute of Fundraising - guidance and information. A vast source of advice on how to legally and effectively fundraise.
Charity Fundraising: a Guide to Trustee Duties, by the Charity Commission
Charity Commission regulations: failed fundraising appeals by the Charity Commission

Top Tips on Writing Grant Applications

Eligibility - select the right funders for your project. Read any Guidance document and website information.Look at their annual accounts on the Charity Commission website to see who they have previously awarded.
Prove the need for the project - evidence why this project is needed, why it's needed now and who are the beneficaries.
Focus on the difference the project will make, how it will add value to the life of the church, communities and/or heritage, as appropriate. Your fundraising campaign should convey a journey from the problem to address, to the solution and its impact on people's lives. Here is one definition of activities, outputs and outcomes - 'Outcomes are a piece of cake' diagram.
Funders are risk adverse- prove you're a capable pair of hands by explaining the project team skills, detail any track record of successful projects, and present the project professionally, for example, an accurate budget sheet.
Explain why you need their financial support. Also explain who's already supporting the project

Financial questions on application forms

Financial Statement. This is required to accompany a grant application. If your Statement is not clear, you may like to consider arranging for it to be redrafted to make it easier to understand and/or including a covering note.
Managing Reserves- this Church of England advice may also be helpful. Also, you may like to speak with the Finance team at Church House for advice.
VAT and procurement. See advice from the Diocese of Chester.

Legal questions on application forms

Charity status. As a Church of England Parish Church Council (PCC), you have charity status. For further details, see this link (first question)
Don’t have a charity number? Most providers accept your HMRC Gift Aid reference numbers or the new 'A Church Near You Certificate'.
Constitution. PCC's are charities governed by two pieces of legislation that act as a Constitution, therefore you can answer 'yes' to the question that you have a constitution. See link for more details.
Equal opportunities policy. It is the responsibility of the PCC to write their own policy if this is one of the conditions of a grant. Liz Geddes, Diocesan Director of HR, may be able to offer advice, email liz.geddes@chester.anglican.org
Risk management. You may find this guidance helpful

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Page last updated: Wednesday 26th October 2022 9:14 AM