Unitarian Innovation Fund
Bold ideas. Real funding.
We’re looking for bold ideas that help Unitarian communities grow, connect, and make lasting impact. If you’ve got a vision for how your congregation or district could do things differently – and some financial help could make it happen – we want to hear from you.
You can apply for up to £125,000 until Summer 2030, so you can apply whenever you’re ready.
What we fund
We support projects that reimagine what Unitarian communities can be. That might mean:
- A new model for reaching people who’ve never found their way to a Unitarian space
- A training programme that helps your congregation tackle a real challenge
- A pilot project testing whether a bold idea actually works
- A partnership that connects your community with others doing similar work
- Anything else that challenges how things have always been done
What we don’t fund: building repairs, ongoing staff salaries, or work that’s already finished.
How much can you get?
Development Grants: £1,000–£5,000 (no match funding required)
- Perfect if you’re still figuring out whether an idea will work
- Use it for research, expert advice, a mini pilot, or training your team needs
Most people start with a Development Grant to test the water, then apply for an Innovation Grant once they know it’s viable.
Innovation Grants: £5,000 – £25,000 match funding per year for up to 5 years (£125,000 maximum)
- We’ll fund up to 50% of the project’s total costs. The rest can be funded however you like (e.g. your own organisation’s resources, your District, another trust, foundation or partner)
- Suitable for substantial projects with real scope
Can we use in-kind donations as match funding? Yes. You can count volunteer time, materials, or services as part of your contribution. We cap in-kind donations at up to 10% of the total project cost.
Read the in-kind contributions policy
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for projects that:
Try something different: We want to fund ideas that do things in a NEW way. If it’s never been tried before in your community, that’s a good sign. Not “we’ll do what we’ve always done, but slightly better.”
Address a real need: Something your community actually needs, not something that sounds nice in theory. We’ll ask: does this matter to the people you are trying to reach?
Have potential to spread. Could this work in other Unitarian communities? If your project only works brilliantly in your congregation, that’s completely fine. But if it shows a model others might want to try? That’s even better.
Think about who’s missing. Have you thought about who might not feel welcome in what you’re planning? What are you doing to make sure it’s genuinely inclusive? This matters to us.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. If you’ve got a strong idea and the will to make it happen, that’s enough.
Who can apply?
- Congregations
- Districts
- Fellowships
- Individual ministers or lay leaders
- Anyone with a project serving Unitarian communities (you might need a Unitarian sponsor or partner, but we can help with that)
How it works: the application process
Step one: Tell us your idea (Expression of Interest)
Submit a simple online form with your initial concept. Don’t worry if it’s still rough around the edges. We’ll give you feedback within three weeks and help you develop it if it looks promising.
Submit your expression of interest
Step two: Develop your full proposal (by invitation)
If we think your idea has legs, we’ll invite you to submit a detailed application. This is where you flesh out your thinking – the budget, the timeline, how you’ll measure success, what could go wrong.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions made quarterly. There’s no cutoff date until Summer 2030.
Step three: We assess and decide
You’ll usually hear back within 4 months. We’ll tell you clearly why we’ve said yes or no, and offer feedback either way.
Step four: You get moving!
We don’t just hand over the money and disappear. We offer mentoring, problem-solving support, and flexibility if your project evolves (because it most likely will).
Before you apply:
If your project involves children, young people, or vulnerable adults, you’ll need a safeguarding policy and DBS checks. (GA-affiliated groups get 25% discount from 31:8—use code UNIT25.)
You’ll also need:
- Proper permissions and governance approvals from your congregation or district
- Systems for managing money responsibly
We can help if you’re unsure about any of this.
The support we offer
You’re not doing this alone.
One-to-one support: Talk through your idea with our team at any stage. We can help you think through the practicalities, spot gaps, or just act as a sounding board.
Accessibility support: If you need help with the application process (accessible formats, extra time, whatever you need), just ask.
Ongoing mentoring: Regular check-ins with the team throughout your project. When things get tricky, we’re here to help problem-solve.
Bespoke support: Need a workshop for your group? Strategic planning facilitation? We can do that too.
After you’re funded
If your project gets the go-ahead, we’ll need:
- Quarterly progress updates (keeping us in the loop)
- An annual written report (what’s working, what isn’t, what you’ve learned)
- A willingness to share what you’ve learned with other Unitarian communities (your success helps everyone)
But we also believe in flexibility. Projects evolve and circumstances change. We work with you to adapt your plan when it makes sense to do so.
Ready to make a difference?
Get started below.