Common Fund
The Common Fund is the method by which individual parishes make a financial contribution to the life of the whole of the diocese. From this the mission of the whole church is funded. The Common Fund pays for the costs of ministry in the Diocese which makes up 73% of spending, as well as support ministries based at Diocesan House.
"Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need."(Acts 4: 32-35)
This picture of overflowing generosity is one of the founding principles of the Common Fund. This generosity is in response to God's overwhelming generosity to us. As we were first given so we give.
The Common Fund is the method by which individual parishes make a financial contribution to the life of the whole of the diocese. From this the mission of the whole church is funded. The Common Fund pays for the costs of ministry in the Diocese which makes up 73% of spending, as well as support ministries based at Diocesan House.
Common Fund is calculated on a parish's net recurring income over a period to time. Common Fund for 2009, 2010 and 2011 is based on income from 2004-2007. The costs of fundraising and trading are deducted from income, recognising that raising funds does have a cost, and there is a church buildings allowance. Details of the method of calculation and worked examples are given in "Common Fund 2009 and beyond".
The Pastoral Resource Fund provides grants to parishes that are finding it difficult to pay their Common Fund allocation and those that have experienced a large increase in their Common Fund call in 2009 as a result of the rebasing exercise. Details of the criteria and application forms can be obtained from David Watson at Diocesan House.
Please call 01872 274351 for further information.
Useful Information
Common Fund 2009 and beyond (PDF 143.77kb)
Common Fund Review Consultation Document 2010 (PDF 104.85kb)
Funding the Kingdom (PDF 606.82kb)