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How to Fundraise

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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

Fundraising and the law

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



Diocese of Chester

The Diocese of Chester is the Church of England primarily in Cheshire – but also covers some areas outside the county.
Chester Diocesan Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (no. 00007826) and a registered charity (no. 248968)
Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, 5500 Daresbury Park, Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4GE. Telephone: 01928 718834

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