Two grants programs to fund church initiatives, needs

Bishop Skip Adams leads a meetingin 2016 for mission congregations who received grants through the diocesan grants process, sharing stories of how the money supported ministry in their churches and communities.

Churches in The Episcopal Church in South Carolina now have two grant processes available to seek funding from the diocese thanks to programs and funding approved by the Diocesan Council and the Trustees this month.

For several years the diocese has offered the Mission Grants Program to encourage and fund new initiatives. This program has been renamed the Ministry  Grants Program, and the Diocesan Council and Trustees have approved a total of $50,000 to fund the 2019 grant cycle. 

Ministry Grants

Ministry Grants will be awarded to congregations for initiatives that will enhance the mission and ministry of the Diocese, with special consideration given to missions and worship groups. Through this grant program, the Diocese identifies innovative and worthwhile ministries in a church where a relatively modest amount of grant money can make a significant difference. Grant requests can be submitted for, but are not limited to, new or continued initiatives that will enhance parish life.

"We hope this will encourage people to tap into their passions and do creative things," Bishop Skip Adams told the Trustees at their May 21 meeting.

In approving the funding, the Trustees also agreed to make an ongoing annual commitment of $50,000 to the Ministry Grants program. Diocesan Ministry Developer Andrea McKellar, a member of the grants committee, said that will encourage more churches to start thinking about innovative ways to use the money.

"If they know there's continuous funding, they can really dream," she told the Trustees.

Parish and Mission Support Grants

The second grant program draws from the existing Parishes and Missions Support budget line item, which is funded at $150,000 in 2019, up from $100,000 the previous year. This money is available to churches in need of emergency or temporary funding. Previously, such requests have gone to the Diocesan Finance Committee to review and make a recommendation to Diocesan Council. These grants can be used for expenses including, but not limited to, clergy or lay salaries, rent and other initiatives to enhance parish life.

Under the new process, churches will go through an application process similar to the one used for the Ministry Grants, and be required to give regular progress reports after receiving a grant. The process was created to make the funding method more transparent and accessible to all congregations.

Applications for both grant processes are available on our website: http://www.episcopalchurchsc.org/grants-for-congregations.html. The Ministry Grants committee will announce soon the application dates for this year’s grant cycle. Applications for Department of Parishes and Missions Grants can be submitted at any time throughout the calendar year.