A new pilot scheme is helping churches in our diocese double their money for carbon-cutting projects.
Give To Go Green is a match-funding pilot project from the Church of England working with churches in the Dioceses of Leeds and Exeter to double locally raised donations, to allow for more work on reducing carbon emissions.
Through a targeted digital fundraising campaign, churches will be able to engage their community in building a sustainable future for their Church and the world around them.
The Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, Bishop of Ripon, said: “Encouraging giving is a challenge for the church especially in such financially uncertain times.
“But people are more likely to give to something tangible.
“Every church must have at least one eco action great or small they’d like to do which people might like to support? More efficient lighting? Water saving taps? A recycling or re-fill scheme?
“This pilot is a fantastic and rewarding way to make things happen by offering to double every £1 people choose to give.
“I wholeheartedly support ‘Give to Go Green’ and encourage churches to get involved.”
Through the Give To Go Green pilot project, funding will be available for up to 45 churches in the Diocese of Leeds wishing to carry out small to medium sized projects that will reduce their carbon footprint and cost between £5,000 and £20,000.
Churches can view the project pack to find out whether their project would be eligible for the match-funding and how to apply.
Beth Vickers, Diocesan Stewardship Officer, said: “This project is a great opportunity for churches to practise using their digital giving methods to fundraise for their carbon-cutting project.
“Churches who have a carbon-cutting project in mind but haven’t yet set up digital giving for their church can also apply to take part in Give To Go Green as training will be given on how to set up a contactless device or online giving page and use them to run a digital fundraising campaign.”
Jemima Parker, Diocesan Environment Officer, said: “There are many relatively small actions that our churches can take to help on the journey to net zero carbon such as insulating pipework, installing heating controls, changing to LED lighting.
“For some it might fund a low carbon church heating solution like heated pew cushions, under pew heating or infra-red panels.
“Give To Go Green is a great way to fundraise for these important actions that ultimately help to care for God’s creation and save on energy bills.”
Find out more about how the match funding will work, what kinds of projects are applicable, and whether your church is eligible in the Project Pack here.
To apply please click here.
Applications for funding are open from now and will close on Sunday, November 19, 2023.
An information webinar to answer questions on the project will be held on Friday, October 20.
Click here to register for the webinar.
If you have any questions relating to the project, please contact, Beth Vickers at beth.vickers@leeds.anglican.org, or the Give to Go Green Team at givetogogreen@churchofengland.org.