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The Costner-Fulton Grant honors Tom and LaVerne Fulton, who shared a passion for social work in their professional lives. Their activism was a calling, rooted in faith and given further expression through the outreach ministries of The United Methodist Church. It is not surprising that this dedicated couple created an estate plan that would continue to reach out to a world in need.
The Mission, Service and Justice Team awarded grants for the following mission projects launching in 2023:
- Anchor Room Coffeehouse Outreach at Centenary UMC (St. Louis) – $5,000
- Freedom School at Maplewood UMC – $5,000
- Our Grace Place Pantry at Raytown Chapel location of Woods Chapel UMC – $5,000
- Out and About Program at St. Luke’s UMC (Kansas City) – $2,000
- Serving Unhoused/Unsheltered at Grace UMC (Sullivan) – $5,000
“"I was inspired by the example of our grant recipients in finding impactful ways to love their neighbors while building community with them,”

The average grant award amount is between $1,000 and $5,000; however, the MSJ team has the discretion to award a different amount on a case-by-case basis. Building projects do not qualify. This year, monies given during the 2022 Missouri Annual Conference Diversely United offering supplemented the 2022 Costner-Fulton grant funding. This grant fund is administered by the Missouri United Methodist Foundation, with all grant applications approved by the Conference MSJ Team.