Grant information and how to apply
Learn more about the types of grants available and how to apply for them.
Eligibility criteria – Who can apply?
We are delighted that you are considering applying for a grant from the Seeds for Growth Fund. A huge part of our Fund's purpose is about encouraging experimentation and newness in the life of the Church of Scotland. We hope that we might be able to support your idea or community.
Application forms are usually only to be completed by a Church of Scotland congregation or Presbytery. Groups of congregations or Presbyteries can also work together but please contact us initially to discuss your ideas.
Once submitted, forms completed by congregations will need to be approved by their respective Presbyteries before they can be assessed. This will be facilitated by the Seeds for Growth Fund staff as part of the application process. Further details are provided in the Guidance documents which accompany each application form.
Assessment criteria
Projects will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Applications should:
- Demonstrate a visionary approach to church growth, church planting and pioneer mission
- Set out the anticipated effect of the project at a congregational or Presbytery level
- Include a clear plan and measurable targets
- Due consideration is given to how the project will continue beyond the period of funding and whether it will generate growth elsewhere within the Church
- Applications must be focused on a defined project
- Demonstration of a commitment to good collaboration/partnership working, including ecumenical partners, where this is of benefit to the overall project aims
- Demonstration of a commitment to taking a reflective approach to your project and to sharing your experiences and what you are learning across the Church
Applications for the following will be prioritised:
- Developing mission through new worshipping communities and church planting
- Engaging in intergenerational approaches to and participation in worship
What can and cannot be funded?
We are willing to fund training, salaries, equipment or hire of space as long as you can show that this is essential to the aims of your project
Awards cannot be used for:
- Covering retrospective costs
- Making up shortfall in existing congregational income.
Our Fund is aimed at the planting of new churches and establishment of new worshipping communities. However, projects of social engagement as part of a clear plan to begin a worshipping community can be funded – some of our learning shows that this can sometimes be the best way of beginning a worshipping community.
There is no requirement to provide match funding but it is encouraged.
Summary of Seeds For Growth Fund grant types
Level 1
Level 1 Grants allow you to:
- Experiment and test small scale project ideas
- Lay the foundations for a larger project, for example applicants might want to do local research via community meetings or distributing questionnaires to identify local strengths that could be built upon
- Run an event
- Develop the skills and knowledge of people for them to engage better in their work within the Aims of the Fund.
Apply any time, no set closing date.
We aim to provide a decision within six weeks of the date of application.
Maximum award is £1,000
Level 2
Level 2 Grants let you to test out the viability of an idea. A project might want to put something in place for, say, six months to a year, and monitor progress. Level 2 Grants can also be awarded in situations where the nature of the work suggests that year-by-year funding would be most appropriate. A project might feel they're not yet ready for long-term funding, but a one-year Grant would work best.
Apply any time, no set closing date.
We aim to provide a decision within 8 weeks of the date of application.
Maximum award is £10,000
Note that Seeds For Growth will only fund one Level 1 and one Level 2 project per congregation per year. Further grants will be conditional on the reports from previous ones having been accepted.
Level 3
Level 3 Grants are awarded for core funding of projects that have done some research and tested out their ideas.
Maximum award £40,000 per year.
Further details will be made available Autumn 2023.
Level 4
Level 4 Grants are awarded for core funding of projects that have done some research and tested out their ideas.
Maximum award £100,000 per year.
Further details will be made available Autumn 2023.
Application paperwork
If you wish to apply for a Level 1 or Level 2 grant, please email grants@churchofscotland.org.uk to request the appropriate forms along with the guidelines document on how to complete them.
Available support
Training will be provided on the application processes for Level 1 and Level 2 Grants in webinars starting in June. For dates and to learn how to reserve a place, please contact grants@churchofscotland.org.uk.
A range of other training events are being developed and will be announced in due course.
We cannot review draft applications but we want to help by answering any questions you may have on the Fund, our forms and application processes. Just send an email to grants@churchofscotland.org.uk.