The Mustard Seed Effect: The wider role of Church Urban Fund in areas of urban disadvantage, Adam Dinham, 2005

Over the last twenty years in which the Church Urban Fund has been operating, it has been repeatedly observed by those involved that Church Urban Fund grants have had a ‘mustard seed effect’, in which great successes have grown out of the initial investment by CUF.

This research examines the ‘mustard seed effect’, highlighting certain key effects: how small amounts of money given to a project at an early stage can have a dramatic effect on the life and development of a social action project, how these funds can be used to lever in more monies from different sources and that out of small ideas, projects can arise which are sustainable, effective and significant.

The book is an encouraging read backed up by evidential research on the role that a funder can play in seeing transformation at a local level. It is intended:

• As a resource for local projects and those wishing to start them

• For all their partners, in dioceses, communities, other agencies and government 

• For the sharing of good practice amongst projects and supporters in ‘thinking big from small beginnings’ 

• As valuable evidence for stakeholders, including government, of the value of faith communities to addressing urban disadvantage in work which starts at the grassroots and builds both upwards and outwards

To order a copy of the full report The Mustard Seed Effect: The wider role of Church Urban Fund in areas of urban disadvantage (Adam Dinham, 2005) please email communications@cuf.org.uk

Alternatively you can download an executive summary of The Mustard Seed Effect.