An accessible summary of the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment programme, its streams, the board that oversees it, recent reviews and the principles that shape funding decisions
The Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment (SMMI) programme exists to underwrite the Church of England’s long-term ambitions set out in its Vision and Strategy for the 2020s. Operating as a multi-year commitment, SMMI aims to channel resources into dioceses and parishes so that national priorities can be translated into local plans and sustained outcomes.
Designed as a nine-year endeavour, SMMI funds sit within three clearly defined streams that target different levels of church life. The programme is governed and distributed by a board acting on behalf of the Archbishops’ Council, and the board also monitors the reach and effect of the investments.
Three funding streams and how they operate
The SMMI structure is built around three complementary strands. Each stream has a focused purpose but they work together to increase capacity for mission across the country.
Diocesan Investment Programme
The Diocesan Investment Programme supports diocesan-level strategies that strengthen local mission and ministry.
Funds are intended to help dioceses develop and scale programmes that might include clergy formation, parish support networks or targeted outreach in demographic groups and geographic areas.
Partnerships Funding and national delivery
Partnerships Funding is directed at collaborative projects and external partners where gaps exist in delivering the national Vision and Strategy. This stream enables joint working across dioceses and with specialist organisations, addressing issues that require co-ordinated responses rather than isolated action.
Lowest Income Communities Funding
The Lowest Income Communities Funding stream focuses on sustaining ongoing ministry in parishes that serve areas experiencing social and economic deprivation. The aim is to preserve vital local presence and pastoral care where community need is highest.
Governance, reporting and recent reviews
The Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) is responsible for distributing the funds and for tracking outcomes. The board publishes annual reviews which summarise the programmes supported and the impact achieved. For example, the SMMIB Annual Review for 2026 is publicly available, and reviews for 2026, 2026 and 2026 can be downloaded for more detail.
Work funded in the 2017–22 period laid the foundation for many diocesan initiatives: from area-based mission projects to diocesan transformation programmes and efforts to increase the numbers of newly ordained ministers. Those programmes were documented in earlier annual reports produced by the Strategic Investment Board.
In the winter of 2026/22, the Strategic Investment Board commissioned an independent examination of the Lowest Income Communities Funding and Strategic Development Funding. Chaired by Sir Robert Chote, the review published its findings in March 2026. The full report is available for reading, and the board has welcomed the recommendations and is considering how best to act on them to strengthen mission work.
Principles that guide investment decisions
SMMI funding is governed by a set of core principles designed to shape how money is allocated, how projects are selected and how learning is shared. These principles emphasise collaboration, clarity and a commitment to long-term, sustainable change.
Relational and supportive practice
Decisions are made in partnership with diocesan leaders and external collaborators. The approach is relational and supportive, prioritising shared planning and responsiveness to local church contexts, and seeking to be guided by prayer and spiritual discernment.
Transparency and learning culture
The board commits to being open about how choices are taken and to sharing learning from funded work. This transparent stance builds trust and helps other parts of the Church learn from both successes and difficulties.
Intentionality and capacity building
Funding is tied to explicit plans that explain what change is expected and how it will be achieved. The programme is also empowering, aiming to strengthen local leadership so that funded initiatives can continue beyond the period of financial support.
Evidence-based and humble practice
Decisions combine high-quality evidence with local knowledge and practitioner insight. The board seeks to be evidence-based while acknowledging that ultimate success depends on faith. The programme is pursued with humility and a willingness to learn.
Where to find more information
For those who want to explore the work in more depth, the SMMIB annual reviews provide programme summaries and evaluations. The independent review chaired by Sir Robert Chote is also published and referenced in board materials. These documents offer detailed accounts of funded projects, impact data and reflections on lessons learned.
The SMMI programme remains a central mechanism for translating the Church of England’s strategic priorities into local action. By combining long-term funding, strong oversight and an emphasis on partnership and learning, SMMI seeks to enable sustained, Spirit-led mission across dioceses and communities.
