Women in Ministry Support Scheme
WIMSS provides small grants of $200-$2000 to support women in ministry.
What if you could access the resources you know would help your ministry, or access training to better equip you as you serve? If your ministry would benefit from a small grant, we want to hear from you.
Applications close Monday, 27 October 2025.
Applications for 2025 are now open!
Applications for 2025 are now open!
Across Australia, Christian women are making an extraordinary impact as they faithfully serve Jesus in a variety of ways – whether discipling the next generation, evangelising in their communities, being involved in church governance, leading Bible studies, providing pastoral care, preaching, and serving the most vulnerable in our communities – and much more.
ADM has been coming alongside women, theologically resourcing and raising them up to proclaim the love of Jesus since 1891. The Women in Ministry Support Scheme (WIMSS) was created to continue this legacy of supporting Christian women today.
Through WIMSS, we provide grants of $200–$2,000 to support women faithfully serving Jesus in ministries across Australia, with up to $30,000 awarded annually.
Who can apply?
Christian women who are:
Serving in churches and ministries across Australia in paid or unpaid ministry roles
Working as ordained ministers and lay ministry leaders
Completing theological education and training for ministry and mission.
See complete eligibility criteria below.
What we provide
Small grants of $200–$2,000 for:
Professional development opportunities
Theological training and education (up to $1000)
Ministry resources and materials
Set up expenses for a new ministry
Matched maternity leave funding
"This funding recognises the immense value, opportunities and gifts that God has given women to serve him and those around them. This scheme recognises the financial constraints that can impact or prevent women from participating, investing as freely or initiating new ministries."
WIMSS grantee, Naomi de Vries
"WIMSS affirms, supports and makes possible the role of women in ministry spaces, celebrating their unique contribution and encouraging them to continue in their work."
WIMSS grantee, Felicity Kerr
"Sometimes we think we don't need funding, or we don't deserve funding. When we fall into the trap of thinking like this, funding programs like WIMSS can help women face up to the incredibly important reality that our ministry actually is valuable and worth supporting."
WIMSS grantee, Alison Moffatt
Key Dates
Monday 8 September 2025 – Applications open
Monday 22 September 2025, 12.30-1.30pm AEST – Information session for applicants
(Hybrid: at ADM office or join us online via Zoom)Monday 27 October 2025, 1pm AEST – Applications close
Tuesday 18 November 2025 – Notification of outcome of applications
What do we mean by “Women in Ministry”?
“Women in ministry” refers to women in ordained or lay ministry and mission work, both paid and unpaid. It also includes women who are completing theological education and training for ministry and mission.
“Ministry” includes evangelism, bible teaching, discipleship, pastoral care and compassionate ministries. For the WIMSS program, “women in ministry” are based at a church or parachurch organisation.
WIMSS funding categories
Professional development and ministry training: including costs for attending conferences and training.
Resources: including books, commentaries, apps (does not include laptops).
Theological education: (up to a maximum of $1,000) priority will be given to students studying a unit (for credit or audit) at Mary Andrews College (Certificate, Diploma, or Graduate Certificate level) or to students from other institutions undertaking units at Mary Andrews College for credit at another institution.
Set-up expenses for a new ministry: such as design, printing, resources and equipment for the ministry.
Maternity leave: Contribution to lost income during a period of maternity leave from a paid, continuing ministry position. Applications for this category must have matched funding (50-50) from the church or parachurch organisation where you are employed/supported. I.e., evidence of a commitment for the same amount to be provided by your employer/supporters as is being requested from ADM.
Funding priority for Low Income Parishes
In 2025, funding priority across all categories will be given to:
Applications from women in ministry in Low Income Parishes or Provisional Parishes. ‘Low Income Parishes’ are defined by the Sydney Anglican Diocese ‘Assisting Low Income Parishes Policy’ as “those with total income of less than $150,000 per annum. Parishes that fit this description will have little or no ability to undertake material capital works without substantial parishioner contributions above and beyond normal giving. They will also have limited ability to hire additional staff (beyond a fulltime rector) other than part-time, student or MTS workers).”
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used to assess applications:
Eligibility: Each point of the eligibility criteria is met.
Demonstrated ministry needs: The application provides a strong case for the ministry needs identified, and the value of WIMSS funding in meeting these needs.
Demonstrated financial need: Financial needs are clearly identified in the application, as well as a budget/plan for addressing these needs using WIMSS funding. As noted above, funding priority will be given to women in ministry in ‘Low Income Parishes’ (less than $150,000 income per annum).
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply you need to:
be 18 years or older
be female
be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or refugee
have a firm personal Christian belief consistent with ADM’s theological principles
be serving in ministry at a church or parachurch organisation in Australia that is aligned with ADM’s theological principles
not be a current or past (last 5 years) employee, consultant to or board member of ADM
Date and time: Monday 22 September 2025, 12.00-1.00pm AEST
Location: Anglican Deaconess Ministries.
Level 1, St Andrew’s House, 464-480 Kent Street Sydney, NSW 2000
This information session is an opportunity to learn more about the application process for WIMSS, and to ask any questions you may have. If you were not able to attend the session, please download the Info Pack below.
Information Session
Application Process
To apply, you will need to complete an online application form (see link below) and provide four short written answers in the form. In your answers, you will be asked to share about your ministry, your Christian faith, and your funding support needs. You will also be asked to provide a statement of support from your minister or supervisor, as well as a mini-budget explaining how you plan to use WIMSS funds.
Applications will also need to state the amount of funding they are applying for (within the range of $200 – 2,000), and how they plan to use these funds in support of their ministries.
Please download the 2024 WIMSS Information pack below for more information on applying and guidance for responding to the application form questions .
WIMSS News
Amy Townsend, the Membership and Ministry Director at Grace City Church, was one of 20 recipients of funding for ADM’s first Women in Ministry Support Scheme (WIMSS) in 2020.