Rising to the Challenge: Ministry Grants Add Momentum
News
The Foundation Ministry Grant Program continues to grow in service to our local congregations,” states Foundation executive David Atkins. “The feedback we receive affirms how a grant can help folks focus on the goal and raise more dollars locally.”
A sampling of comments includes:
- “Our part of the funding [for the project] came from several different funding sources, memorial donations, church fundraisers, and private donations.”
- “I think the Foundation gift helped to open up the pocketbooks and gave our project extra legitimacy. Thanks for the gift!”
- “[We] had a challenge in raising the last little amount to get to goal. The MUMF grant added the needed ingredient to use as a match.”
“Our average grant amount remains in the range of $5,000 or less,” states Atkins. “Nevertheless, that can really make the difference in moving forward with a project that would otherwise languish.”
Atkins offers some additional guidance on making a strong proposal:
- Show that the project is closely tied to mission priorities
- Show congregational commitment to the project. For example, dollars have already been raised, or a pilot project has already begun or been completed
- Identify specific measures of success