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The West Ohio Conference and the Foothills District have several grants available to churches and ministries that are creating or enhancing a vital and vibrant outreach to people in our area. We want to come alongside those who are expressing the love of Christ in creative ways.

 

WEST OHIO CONFERENCE

 

Disciple Making Congregational Grant (New Church Start/Hispanic/Revitalization)

Orientation in March-April

Application due end of May

 

Let Justice Roll Community Center and Cooperative Parish Grant (Overcoming Poverty)

Application Due Mid- September (www.westohioumc.org )

 

For information, contact Dee Stickley Miner at 1-800-437-0028 or dstickley@wocumc.org

 

 

 Grant Writing Tips

1. Make sure your ministry/program adheres to 100% of grant requirements.

2. When it comes to applying for grants, it is always the responsibility of the applying organization to insure that everything is complete and on time.

3. Your writing should be clear and concise. Do not provide more than what is requested. Answer the questions in a direct manner. Make sure your grammar is correct.

4. Goals must be measurable. Some good examples from 2009 applications include:

a.     In 2009 we will complete the renovation and sale of the 14 vacant blighted houses we acquired in 2008. Construction of 24 townhouses will be completed in 2009.

b.    We will serve meals four days per week in partnership with other UM congregations. This year we will serve 26,000 meals.

c.     48 children will be involved in the Learning Club program this year and 75% of them will achieve progress to their class level in reading and math.

d. GED classes will reach of minimum of 15 people daily.

5. Make prior arrangements with other people from whom you are required to obtain signatures, letters of support, etc. It is always your responsibility to make sure everything is complete, accurate and on time. Plan ahead of time to meet all the deadlines.

6. Follow all directions. An application will not be considered if the application is incomplete, late or poorly written.

7. Have a person not familiar with the grant proof read your application for clarity. This person should be someone willing to be critical. The goal is to write the strongest and clearest application possible. You will also want your application proofed to insure correct grammar and spelling throughout.

8. When you write about your ministry, avoid adjectives like “great”, “wonderful”, “one of a kind” when describing your ministry. You need to prove that your program is those things. Results will prove greatness‐‐adjectives do not.

9. Suggestions for getting a strong letter of support for your application.

a. Talk with the person who will be writing the letter. Make sure he/she understands the nature of the grant. Their letter should address from their perspective how your organization/ministry/program fulfills the requirements of the grant with excellence.

b. Support letters should reveal how working together in a mutual way enhances the ministry/work of both partners. How does your program impact the people they serve?

c. Don’t be afraid to ask to see a draft of the letter of support. If it is not a strong letter of support, consider asking another community partner. The goal is to receive the strongest letter possible.

d. You may wish to solicit more than 1 letter of community support so that you can send the strongest letter. This will also position you for future grants that may require more than 1 letter of support.

10. Make sure everything is turned in by the deadline. This may mean following up with your district office and the person whom you asked to write your letter of support. Take the initiative to make sure you have everything in a timely manner.

 

 

FOOTHILLS DISTRICT

 

Please contact the District office for a copy of the grant application. The application must be in at least 30 days prior to the Foothills District Board of Directors meeting. Please check with the office about meeting dates. For more information, please contact Brent Watson at watson@foothillsdistrict.org

 

 

 

 Foothills District Financial Philosophy

As the Foothills District Board of Directors, we agree on the following principles to guide our financial decisions:

1) We desire to help strengthen, support and further the mission of every local church/outreach ministry in our District so that each one becomes a vibrant congregation/ministry. This desire will influence our budget priorities and our response to those who have a clear and compelling vision.

2) We will strive to be good stewards of the money entrusted to us and use those monies wisely in order to further ministry in the Foothills District.

3) We will make available either through loans or grants, depending on assets, monies (Capital or Program/Missional) to help local churches/outreach ministries to accomplish God’s vision. Each specific program, project or request will be evaluated through an application process and an interview between the Board of Directors and those requesting funds.

4) We will strive to invest in ministry throughout our District by being intentional in our support of churches/outreach ministries in all of our ten counties.

5) We will strive to be equitable and prudent in our funding, realizing that our goal is to further God’s kingdom in our region. We are aware that funding needs will vary. Funds needed to start ministries may be greater than those needed to continue ministries. In the case of start-up funding, we may provide gifts, grants or loans over a multi-year period; however, the increments will decrease annually over the life of the pledge. The goal of this strategy is two-fold: to encourage local participation, involvement and ownership, which build long-term sustainability and to allow the District investment in other needed missional outreach.

 

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING DISTRICT GRANT/LOAN APLICATIONS

1) We want to see growth over a two year period prior to applying (more people involved in the church/ministry)

2) We want to see ownership in the project which is demonstrated by a local investment of finances.

3) We want to see a clear vision for the future and a clarity of mission.

4) We want to be mindful of location and hear the input of the Church Location and Building Team

5) We want to be sensitive to renewal projects versus new projects so that equal credence will be given to both.