Priorities Fund Criteria
AREAS CURRENTLY SUPPORTED BY THE FUND
- Ministry - e.g. training in the following areas:- post-ordination, clergy in-service, lay ministry; development of ministry in areas of population growth; youth ministry; development of liturgy.
- Retirement - e.g. additional finance for the most needy; clergy retirement homes and houses.
- Education - e.g. development of RE in schools; new curriculum in Sunday Schools and training for teachers; support for the Church of Ireland Gazette and Search; children’s ministry; youth work (under the direction of the CIYD); Summer Madness; parish based organisations; adult education; support for the GS Communications Board.
- Community - e.g. outreach in dioceses and parishes, especially those which foster good relations with the wider community; social and caring agencies; sheltered accommodation for the elderly.
- Areas of Need - e.g. parochial development, necessitated by changes in population and the needs of ministry.
Outreach Initiatives will be the new theme for 2007-2009, following on from the very successful theme for the past six years, 'Reconciliation and Outreach'.
The aim of 'Outreach Initiatives' will be to encourage creative and innovative projects, which reach out to the communities our parishes serve. The grants awarded will enable groups to have 'seed-money' to begin and continue projects which reach out into the community.
MAXIMISING THE EFFECT OF GRANTS FROM THE PRIORITIES FUND
In order to spread the money from the Fund as widely and fairly as possible, we try to adhere to certain conditions
We encourage:-
- Applications for grants for ‘seed capital’.
- Applications for grants which will have a significant influence in attracting other funding.
We try to avoid:-
- Funding for projects which are still at the planning stage.
- Recurrent grant aiding.
- Funding for salaries.
- Financing debts.
- Funding for cathedrals and churches.
- Routine renovations and repairs.
APPLICATIONS REQUIRING RECOMMENDATIONS
Some projects are vetted before they reach the Priorities Committee. The applications for these are recommended or not recommended by the committee or organisation which vets them.
Included are:-
- Youth projects (examined and vetted by the CIYD).
- Diocesan and parish projects including children’s projects (examined and vetted by the appropriate diocesan council).
It is advisable for applicants to check with the Organiser whether a project is required to be vetted BEFORE submitting an application.