Fundraising is a vitally important activity for church life, but sometimes labelling everything as such can be too broad. In reality, parish income can be split into five streams each with their own role to play. Having a good understanding of your income diversity can be a key factor towards ongoing sustainability and shouldn’t just be a conversation for the PCC treasurer. Can you articulate how each of them is contributing to your parish finances?
- Giving (donations, legacies etc)
- Grants (one-off or time bound donations from an external body, usually bid for)
- Income Generation (commercially generated trading income)
- Investments (returns on savings)
- Fees (weddings etc)
Income Generation is essentially any income from “commercial trading activity”. Such as hiring out your church or church hall to a third party, renting out a parking space to a local business, an organ tutor using the church for teaching their students etc.
We have a wealth of examples of parishes using their spaces in such ways, and you don’t have to have a hall / parish room to do so. Churches across our Diocese with the right acoustic are in-demand to be hired by musicians for recitals and recordings away from the noisy hustle and bustle of London. We’re also well placed to welcome in TV and film crews from nearby studios at Cardington, Borehamwood or Elstree. It costs nothing to
list yourself as a suitable location to accept these activities, but can bring a significant cash injection if you do.
If you would welcome an Income Generation Healthcheck visit in your parish, please contact Richard Jackson, Local Church Income Generation Support Officer.
Important Contacts
Richard Jackson, Local Church Income Generation Support Officer