Cornerstone

What is Cornerstone?

Cornerstone is a platform that supports churches in understanding their financial position more clearly by using data from Parish Returns and helps them promote a culture of generous giving within their church communities. It presents a detailed breakdown of giving and helps churches identify areas of strength and opportunity, including a comprehensive grants database.  Equipped with detailed information, churches can then pursue two different ways of changing or enhancing the picture – Pathways and Grants.

Pathways

The information a church receives from the ‘Insights’ phase gives them a picture of where they can focus their efforts. Some may only have capacity for one or two ‘quick wins’, while others are ready for a full-on campaign. There are over 50 Pathways on the platform and churches can undertake as many or as few as they wish.

A ‘Pathway’ takes a single topic and breaks it down into steps, none of which take longer than half an hour. Templates and links to videos and instructions are provided. You can skip bits that you’ve done already or aren’t suited to your setting.  They’re a great way of encouraging people to volunteer who may be uncertain about something they haven’t done before and welcome some help.

Grants database

All churches have free access to a database of over 890 grants, curated for churches. Covering a range of purposes, values, and geographic areas, this searchable, filterable database is updated and added to weekly. Each grant is described, along with a link to the grant-making body, allowing you to read further and apply. In our diocese, we are now solely using this grants database (which comes at no additional cost to the diocese). If you would like to use this for your church, please sign up here. The National Team’s Grants Guide is available here.

What do I do next?

Please mail the Mission Resources Team if you would like to explore the financial insights and pathways in greater detail with their guidance. Also, look out for information about upcoming workshops here, and in our Roots & Shoots newsletter.

Please click here to read the Cornerstone Grants Guide produced by the National Team.

Video Overviews

The first video below is a video created by the National Team and the second video below is a video where Jim Barker, Regional Giving Advisor for the Church of England, explains more about what Cornerstone is.