|
Pacific Southwest District of
the Church of the Brethren
Grant Forms
 2009
Anticipated Grant Needs: Letter & Worksheet
 "Left Clicking" on
these links will open an Adobe Acrobat "pdf" file in your browser
"Right Clicking"
may give you the option of saving the linked "pdf" file to your computer
Help
with "PDF" forms  Return to Main District Page
last updated: 7/16/2008
|
|
|
|
Universal Grant Form: 2005-2008
AdobeReader has a text tool that will let you highlight and copy text into your word processor.
|
|
Entire "9 page Grant Booklet" (PDF size= 391 kb)
The original version was from District Conference 10/8/2005
|
|
Introduction
The Grants:
Companion Grant
Exceptional Needs Grant
Loans
Matching Grant
Partnership Grant
Transformation Grant
Advertising Grant (matching 50/50)
Other Grants
The Grant
Application Process 
Read these steps carefully
Award
Guidelines
Lending
Guidelines
Scholarships & Grants for Individuals
|
|
.
Introduction
Return to Top
| The grant process has actually been in effect in the PSWD for many years, beginning with very small pastoral support
and church development grants. It was greatly expanded in 2001. Several commissions and persons were involved over
the years. The current process before you is indebted to the hard work of those former commissions, volunteers,
and district staff. Though the original processes were well designed, it is only natural that over time, situations
change and former works need updated. |
| One of the recent major changes in the district is that the PSWD has sold property and has the resources to increase
grant amounts and loans to local congregations. In addition to scholarships and expenditures to increase training
and encourage church planting, the district board has proposed to make available $400,000 per year in grants to
local congregations over a two year period. This booklet is an attempt to describe the grant program and encourage
congregations to be creative and forward looking in their ministries. |
| While some of our congregations will need assistance in repairing infrastructure, the hope of district leadership
is that congregations will begin to focus on their community's needs and emphasize the need to develop relationships
with persons beyond their walls. Jesus did not just preach within the confines of the temple, or give discourse
only within the synagogues, but walked and lived among the people. Though it is important to meet the needs of
the congregation in terms of pastoral care, we also need to be missional, sharing Christ through word and deed. |
| You will notice that there are several types of grants and even an "other" category. Your district board
tried to identify new grants to encourage your ministries. Hopefully, the Requirements and Guidelines section will
be helpful in your discernment process and clarify what is required of applicants. We also worked at simplifying
the process by developing a universal application form. Obviously, there will be some situations that arise that
are not covered here. In these cases, please do not hesitate to contact the District Board Chair, or District Minister
for clarification. |
May God bless our ministries together!
Your PSWD Board |
|
|
..
The Grants:
Return to Top
The Companion Grant: (local congregations)
|
|
Amount: Negotiable |
|
|
Renewable yearly for up to three years |
The Companion Grant is designed to support an additional staff person, or persons, in a congregation. Congregations
of any size are encouraged to apply for this grant to move beyond staffing for maintenance, and instead, to staff
for growth. This staff person is required to have a significant portion of their ministry involved in evangelism,
community outreach, and relationship building that has the potential for growth. The congregational plan presented
needs to include an educational component for church members related to missional thinking and ongoing congregational
participation. This person does not necessarily need to be ordained or licensed, though this should be sought where
appropriate. When requesting funds, care should be taken by the congregation to plan for a self-sustaining ministry
after the three year period of grant support is completed. |
The Exceptional Needs Grant: (local congregations)
|
|
Amount: Negotiable |
|
|
Renewable yearly for up to three years |
The purpose of the Exceptional Needs Grant is to assist congregations in addressing exceptional needs, or issues
which could severely impair or threaten the continuation of vital ministries if the need or issue is not addressed
in a timely manner; Or, in cases where a congregation has financial difficulty in providing an adequate pastoral
compensation package to obtain a new pastor; Or, in assisting a church with growth potential to increase an exceptional
pastor's compensation package to step-up their hours. In the case of pastoral negotiations, the local board would
need to reach a clear agreement with the district prior to formally offering a pastoral package. Care should be
taken by the congregation to plan for a self-sustaining ministry after the three year period of grant support is
completed. |
Loans: (local congregations)
|
|
Amount: Negotiable |
|
|
Additional loans are not typically issued during the repayment period |
Loans are the preferred way to obtain funds for building programs, repairs, and capital improvements. They
may also be requested when there are acute cash flow shortages due to a special need, or unusual circumstance.
The current interest rate on loans is five percent, but is periodically adjusted by the board to both provide a
financial return for district ministries and a fair and reasonable rate for congregations. A loan request may be
combined with a grant request, or additional grants may be sought for other purposes. However, a loan may not be
used for the congregation's share of a Matching Grant. Loans are subject to additional PSWD policies and procedures
which may include the use of a loan servicing agency. |
The Matching Grant: (local congregations)
|
|
Amount: Up to $30,000 The amount requested must be matched by the congregation. A congregation may not use a
loan for their portion of the grant. |
|
|
Grant may be reapplied for after three years |
|
|
Designed for churches with less than $100,000 in liquid assets |
The Matching Grant may be used by congregations for any reason (other than normally budgeted expenses) that
is consistent with the spirit of the Church of the Brethren. This amount was increased from $3,000 so that some
support could be given to churches making repairs, or capital improvements. However, the Matching Grant may also
be used for items such as supplies, training, equipment, or any number of ministries. |
The Partnership Grant: (CoB affiliated agencies)
|
|
Amount: Up to $15,000 |
|
|
May be reapplied for after three years |
The Partnership Grant is intended for new cooperative ministries between PSWD congregations and Church of
the Brethren affiliated agencies which reside in the geographical area of the district (e.g. camps, retirement
communities, University of La Verne). The congregation and affiliated agency file a joint form for this grant.
Evidence of mentor relationships, leadership development, or significant training of persons in the district needs
to be a key component of the proposal. |
The Transformation Grant: (local congregations)
|
|
Amount: Up to $15,000 |
|
|
May be reapplied for after three years |
Transformation Grants were created to provide financial assistance to congregations that have discerned
a need to change, redirect, and/or create new ministries. These funds may be used for any transformative purpose,
so long as care is taken by the congregation to plan for a self-sustaining ministry. |
Other Grants: (local congregations)
There needs to be room in planning for the freedom of the Holy Spirit. There
may be times when a particular idea or ministry does not fall within one of the approved grant categories. When
such a situation arises, congregational leadership is encouraged to share their idea with district leadership to
see if it is possible to submit a proposal. |
2008 Advertising (Matching) Grant: (local congregations)
|
|
2007 Advertising Grants have all ended |
|
|
Amount: Negotiable, funded 50/50 church/district |
|
|
May not be available in 2009 |
|
| Margaret Carl Trust - Bible/Tract Grants: Read about the details and print the application below >> |
Scholarships & Grants for Individuals, offered by various District Board commissions and committees,
have a different application process posted on our web site below >> |
|
|
.
The Grant Application Process
Return to Top
|
1.
|
Notify the district office and complete an application form. Forms may be copied from this booklet, or found online
on the district web site. The proposal must be presented and approved by the local church board or Leadership Team. |
|
2.
|
Grant and loan applications are due in the district office three weeks prior to the next meeting of the
Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) Executive Board. Dates are listed on our PSWD Interactive Calendar. In cases where
a congregation is requesting an Exceptional Needs Grant to assist them in pastoral placement, the local board may
be in touch with the District Minister and District Executive Board at any time. |
|
3.
|
The requesting congregation shall include their financial statements (income/expense sheet & balance sheet),
budget, and financial plan (and 2 estimates in the case of capital improvements) with the universal application. |
|
4.
|
The PSWD Executive Board will make grant decisions at their regularly scheduled meetings, or in some situations,
by virtual vote through email. Official notification to the congregation will be through letter within two weeks
of the decision. The grant may be denied with explanation, returned with explanation of needed changes or additional
information, or approved. |
|
5.
|
The District Board will review all grant decisions by the Executive Board and make recommendations for changes
in the process as appropriate. |
|
6.
|
A consultation with the District Minister, other staff, Shalom Team, or other approved agency may be required before
a grant or loan is approved and/or funds are disbursed. |
|
7.
|
Grant funds are awarded on a year to year basis and some may be extended up to three years. Grants are extended
past the three year guideline only in the most unusual circumstances. |
|
8.
|
Grant and loan recipients shall file an annual progress report with the District Executive Board three weeks prior
to its summer meeting indicating the progress of the project and the manner in which the funds have been expended. |
|
9.
|
Ongoing ministry projects are required to file a written monthly report with the district office
unless given other instructions. |
|
10.
|
Continuation of funding will be dependent upon the ability of the requesting congregation to demonstrate that appropriate
progress has been made in line with values consistent with the Church of the Brethren. |
|
11.
|
The PSWD reserves the right to modify the amount, time frame, or payment schedule of any grant or loan awarded. |
|
|
.
Award Guidelines
Return to Top
|
|
Grant and loan ministries and projects will be evaluated on their probable success, potential impact upon the congregation/community/district,
and long term effects. |
|
|
The intended project or ministry is well defined with a written plan for implementation. |
|
|
The congregation has a financial plan to help carry out the proposed ministry or project, and where appropriate,
a plan to continue after grant funding has ceased. |
|
|
There is a reasonable time line for the ministries proposed. |
|
|
There are sufficient leaders and others to carry out the ministry or project. |
|
|
The congregation participates in District Conference, Annual Conference, and other district and denominational
activities. |
|
|
The congregation has the district in its outreach budget, or has covenanted to promptly place the district in its
budget. |
|
|
Equipment purchased and not used for a period of one year are subject to return and become the property of the
PSWD |
|
|
The total grants awarded do not surpass the PSWD budgeted line item for the calendar year. |
|
|
Real Estate Lending Guidelines
Return to Top
|
1.
|
No personal real estate mortgages. (There are too many viable alternatives available in the market place. The district
would consider down payment assistance to acquire or keep trained, successful pastors. As in all cases a recommendation
must come from the church board recommending that we would consider a request.) |
|
2.
|
Church loans. |
| |
a. |
Maximum advance on a project: The district would consider lending up to a maximum of 50% of a project cost. This
would require the requesting church to raise the other 50% and to have it available for the project. This would
allow for an equal "partnership" in the project. |
| |
b. |
Term: The maximum term for a loan request would be 15 years. We are really not equipped to make and carry 30 year
mortgages. Long term 30 year mortgages are available in the market place. |
| |
c. |
Rate: We would use the 10 year treasury rate as our base rate for 10 and 15 year mortgages. (Currently the 10 year
treasury is at 4.66%). A 10 year loan at this time would be base rate of 4.66 plus and additional .75% or 5.4%.
A 15 year mortgage would be 10 year treasury rate ( 4.66 %) plus 1 % or 5.7% |
| |
d. |
Debt to income: It is recommended that the projected debt service for a loan to a congregation be no more than
40% of their budget. |
| |
e. |
Qualified request: For a request to be considered by district board it needs to come with a letter from the congregation
board indicating that it has received approval from the board and congregation. |
| |
f. |
Refinance of existing debt: It is recommended that we do not pursue the refinancing of existing congregation debt
unless there are substantial reasons to do so. Such requests would also need the concurrence of that congregation's
board and council. |
| |
g. |
Funding of loan will happen after both note and deed of trust have been recorded and a third party has been established
for collection of payments. |
| 3. |
District Assets: The primary focus for the assets currently held by the district is to reinvest in people and to
put qualified pastors and staff out into the field to grow new churches and to support and increase the vitality
in our existing congregations. A secondary focus would be to "partner" with congregations in their building
expansion needs. Funds currently held at district are not endowments and the expectation is that these funds will
be depleted in a 10 to 15 year period as they are reinvested back out into our congregations thru the companion
and matching grant programs. We have a window period in time to use these funds to revitalize and grow our congregations. |
|
| |
|
Margaret Carl Trust - Bible/Tract Grants
Return to Top
Purposes of Trust Fund
1. To distribute Bibles, Testaments and Gospels
2. To distribute tracts teaching temperance ideals, thus
combating the use of liquor, tobacco, drugs, etc.
Applications are due by April 1st or October 1st each year. Applications received
after those dates are considered in the next cycle. Funds should not be spent,
expecting a grant, unless the applicant is prepared to pay if grant is denied.
"Fillable" PDF of Bible/Tract Grant Application
Form
AdobeReader will let you fill out the form and print it or email the data. You can't save the data.
FoxIt
Reader will let you save the form.
|
| |
|
Professional Growth Scholarship
and / or
Individual Request for Assistance
Includes District Conference Attendance
Return to Top
Your request will be considered by the district Executive Board, at their monthly meeting. Paperwork is due about
three weeks before the next meeting. Meeting dates posted on our PSWD Interactive Calendar.
"Fillable" PDF of the Application Form
AdobeReader will let you fill out the form and print it or email the data. You can't save the data.
FoxIt
Reader will let you save the form.
|
