The Uniting Church In Australia - National Assembly
About
The Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly is the governing body of one of Australia's largest Protestant denominations, formed in 1977 through the union of Congregationalist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches. It coordinates national ministry, facilitates ecumenical relations, and supports around 1,600 congregations serving 670,000+ affiliated Australians across 45+ languages, while operating through affiliated agencies and synods for delivery of welfare and community services.
Tips for Applicants
The National Assembly does not appear to run direct grant programs. If seeking funding, contact the relevant Synod (e.g., UnitingCare Queensland, Uniting NSW.ACT, Uniting Victoria.Tasmania) as most service delivery and charitable grants flow through these regional bodies. Local congregations also have discretionary funds for community support.
Giving Philosophy
The Assembly functions as a coordinating and governance body rather than a direct grant-maker. Charitable giving and service delivery occur primarily through the UnitingCare network (aged care, disability, family services), UnitingWorld (international development), Frontier Services (remote ministry), and local congregations. The church's theology emphasizes justice, reconciliation with First Nations peoples, disaster recovery, and serving communities 'from capital cities to the heart of the outback.' Most financial support flows through Synod and Presbytery structures rather than the national Assembly.
ACNC Financial History
| Year | Grants Given | Revenue | Total Assets | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2023 | $412K | $7.7M | $19.0M | $7.3M |
| FY2022 | $513K $460K AU + $52K intl | $6.9M | $18.5M | $7.2M |
| FY2021 | $1.3M $513K AU + $755K intl | $9.8M | $18.9M | $13.1M |
| FY2020 | $4.3M $1.1M AU + $3.2M intl | $13.6M | $34.4M | $24.9M |
| FY2019 | $4.3M $591K AU + $3.7M intl | $13.6M | $30.4M | $26.7M |
| FY2018 | $5.6M $2.3M AU + $3.3M intl | $13.4M | $28.5M | $25.4M |
| FY2017 | $6.9M $1.9M AU + $5.0M intl | $13.8M | $27.2M | $25.3M |
| 7yr total | $23.3M | Source: ACNC Annual Information Statements | ||