Anglican Appeal, the national church’s annual fundraising appeal, will refocus its work through the lens of the Marks of Mission. The appeal previously focused on supporting overseas partners and the 10 northern dioceses of the Council of the North.
Beginning this spring, the appeal will begin raising funds for all national church ministries, from the Anglican Military Ordinariate to the Primate’s partnership with the Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba. This refocusing was approved by the Council of General Synod last fall.
“It’s an exciting time,” said Anglican Appeal and Donor Relations Coordinator Shannon Cottrell. “We want to see a stronger appeal that will live fully into the Marks of Mission and support the life of General Synod. We want to be able to share with donors how their gifts—no matter the size—make a difference.”
Anglican Appeal was founded in 1992 to pick up on the fundraising momentum from the successful Anglicans in Mission Campaign. Up until 2010 it continued as a direct mail annual appeal with quarterly updates from supported partners. In 2011, Anglican Appeal provided 7.6% of General Synod’s total budgetary revenues.
When Vision 2019, the church’s strategic plan, was adopted at General Synod 2010, this became an opportunity for the appeal to renew its work. Vision 2019 upheld the Marks of Mission, used widely throughout the Anglican Communion, as the primary lens for General Synod. They are:
- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
- To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
- To respond to human need by loving service
- To seek to transform unjust structures of society
- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
In November 2010, the Council of General Synod agreed that proceeds of the Anglican Appeal be designated “for all General Synod ministries in furtherance of the Marks of Mission.” At a meeting March 24, a think tank on the Anglican Appeal explored how the Appeal can be rejuvenated in that context. The group agreed that appeal communications would include more stories tied to the Marks of Mission as well as more content that related to liturgical seasons. They also decided to investigate rebranding, possibly with a new logo, name, and tagline.
In May, Anglican Appeal donors will begin to notice the first steps in this transition. Other work will be rolled out gradually over the coming months.
Ms. Cottrell says she hopes that Anglican Appeal donors will feel pride in how their support is making a difference.
“Even if donors don’t know the people, or are not in the community where the ministry is taking place, they can play a powerful role,” she said.