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Program Objectives

Strengthening the Anglican Communion in Africa

We have learned with our partners that relationships are more important than resources alone. Nurturing connections with Anglican provinces, dioceses, and local leaders have been key to strengthening the Church in the Global South. Human challenges—HIV/AIDS, famine, economic deprivation, and weak civic institutions -- are being addressed by emerging African leaders, many of them women. Potential solutions are tested from the grassroots up. Prophetic voices are realized and supported.

Building leadership capacity was a major funding focus in 2005. Brief grant synopses hint at great energy to support leadership institutions: The Archbishop of Southern Africa established an international Anglican-led body to monitor progress in African development. The Anglican Consultative Council invested in theological education so that the entire Anglican Communion, and especially those areas like the Sudan and Rwanda whose societies have been ripped by war, might know God in relation to their own culture. Anglican women from around the world gathered to discuss common issues.

These advances suggest a more promising reality than the news headlines describing chaos across the African continent. The Trinity Grants Program will continue to focus on building and nurturing relationships with our partners and together we will work to be good stewards of God's bounty.

Program Emphasis

Based on the work of the four consultations and Trinity’s strategic plan, Grants staff propose the publication of the following funding emphases and grant guidelines for Strengthening the Anglican Communion in Africa:

Through funding in this area, the Trinity Grants Program seeks to support the Anglican Communion in Africa to be self-sustaining, engaged in deeply mutual partnerships, and acting for and with the next generation as agents of change in local communities to bring about God’s Mission.

• Grants will be awarded for up to two years, except in the case of conferences.
• Special consideration will be given to programs that involve young people and future leaders in planning and implementation.
• Proposals must be received at least three months prior to a Grants Board meeting. The approval process of the Board and Vestry takes approximately one month and is as follows:

Leadership & Contextual Education
Developing strong local leaders: lay, clergy, and bishops, organizing their communities for transformational change, through Leadership/Community Organizing training, Theological Education by Extension (TEE), and Program Management training.

Microfinance & Vocational Training
Improving the next generation’s quality of life through microfinance and vocational training for women and young people. All grants in this area will be matched with local expertise to provide technical assistance.

Peacebuilding & Reconciliation
Supporting the integral role of the Church and the next generation in building community and promoting reconciliation in countries experiencing or emerging from conflict. The Grants Program will also support prophetic voices for peace in situations of serious social or political instability.

Financial Sustainability & Stewardship
Strengthening the Church’s financial resources for mission through investments and stewardship. A detailed program description and criteria for eligibility for this funding emphasis are being developed by a working group of bishops from across the Continent. Their recommendations will be published in April, 2011, at which time the Grants Program will begin accepting proposals in this area.