Our policy on Charitable Giving

For many years St Mary’s Church has given 20% of its annual income to nominated charities. Currently we have given 10% as our missional activities have expanded in other ways. We want to reflect God’s generous nature and express our gratitude for the many blessings God has given us.

Your nominations

Every year we ask the congregation to put forward a charity that they would like the Church to to consider supporting financially and through prayer. Sometimes these links even strengthen to include overseas visits to projects.

The process culminates in the PCC voting each September, for the following year, based on the list received. They choose one major recipient that we support for three years plus six or seven other charities which receive a one-off grant.

You can download the nomination form here: Charities Nomination Form 2026. The deadline for nominations is 23rd August 2026 and you can send your completed form here.

Christian and secular charities are included with the following criteria in mind:

  • A mixture of local, national and international charities.
  • Emphasis on charities where we have a personal contact or link.
  • Emphasis on charities which have limited sources of funds.
  • Avoidance of duplication of charities serving similar needs.
  • Mainly smaller charities rather than large national organisations.
  • A bias towards, but not exclusively, Missionary Charities.

Charities to be supported in 2026

  • 2 New Major Charities: BRF Ministries and Impact Giving (charity supporting David James' missional work in London)

 

 

Charities supported in 2025

  • New Major Charity - CMS - Nicci Maxwell in South Sudan

Read Nicci Maxwell's blog here: http://niccimaxwell.wordpress.com or her latest newsletter here: Maxwell 25

Continuing major awards

  • Children's Society
  • St Paul's Church & Bryansford, N. Ireland (Revd Pat Kerr)

2026 Minor Charities:

  • A Rocha
  • Every Life
  • Hamlin Fistula
  • Project Possible

2025 Minor Charities:

  • BRF Ministries
  • The Princes Centre
  • Every Life
  • Project Possible
  • Hamlin Fistula
  • Novo UK

Regular Giving

Aiming to support God's work through the Church by giving of our Time, using our Skills and giving our Money.