Grants for PSWD Churches

While these funds are for physical repairs, improvements, and projects, it is the hope of the district that your congregation will prayerfully consider and discern the spiritual dimensions and aspects of these projects. We encourage you to consider how the spiritual aspects and physical aspects of these projects intersect.

1) The maximum total a congregation can receive through this grant is $20,000. There is no congregational matching funds requirement.
2) As part of the application, please provide a detailed project budget and attach any estimates you have received for your project.
3) The district encourages each congregation to enter conversations regarding the impact any project will have on ADA regulations and compliance with an ADA specialist. The district can help foster these conversations.
4) Project area examples:
     a) Cosmetic – interior and exterior painting, new carpets, benches, pews, chairs, lighting
     b) Technology – projection system (screen, projector, and laptop), sound system, streaming capabilities
     c) Structural/Property – New Roof, Sprinkler System, A/C/Heating System, Fencing
     d) Investments – Solar Panels, Astroturf, Water Softening and Filtration System

Amount: Grants of up to $10,000 per congregation or ministry project per year are awarded with a maximum of $25,000 being allocated to any one ministry project over 3 years.

Matching Funds: Requesting congregations must match up to half of the grant amount with their own resources.

Application Process: The application will require basic information such as amount requested, description of the project, budget, and goals. Affirmation that the congregation will provide matching funds and approve the project as recorded in the minutes of the congregation’s decision-making body.

Oversight & Accountability: Recipients are required to submit a written evaluation signed by the board chair and pastor at the conclusion of the grant period. Include financial accounting, an evaluation of the project, and other information specified on the reporting form. Failure to meet reporting requirements renders a congregation ineligible for future grants. In cases where grant funds are not expended for the intended purpose the Oversight Committee may request repayment of some or all of the grant amount.

Guidelines:
1. Grants are for ministries in which members of the congregation are actively involved. They are not to be passed through the congregation to another organization that the congregation supports.
2. Fresh and creative ideas for outreach ministries are preferred.
3. A portion of a grant may be allocated to wages/salaries for staff or others involved in providing leadership for the outreach ministry that is funded.
Examples:
1. Feeding program or shelter operated by the congregation.
2. Education or training events, especially if they include peace/service/justice/poverty components.
3. Community outreach events.
4. New opportunities that expand existing ministries that engage the community.

Coaching for Pastors – $350 per pastor per year will be provided to support their work with a leadership coach. Coaching is an ongoing conversation focused on personal growth or improvements in professional performance. The goal of coaching is to help resolve present issues or handle specific aspects of the job. Pastors will apply to the district indicating who they have contracted with as a coach and an annual report discussing how coaching has had a positive impact in their ministry will be expected.

Annual Conference Attendance Support – The Annual Conference, in addition to facilitating business, provides many opportunities for attendees to grow through participation at insight sessions, meal events, and other workshops, in addition to deepening a participant’s understanding of the Church of the Brethren beyond the local congregation or district. Up to twelve $1000 scholarships per year to encourage people to attend. These funds can be used to reimburse travel, registration, lodging, or meal events. Applications will be taken in January of each year with priority given to first-time attendees. A report after the conference will invite reflection on what they experienced and how their participation will enhance the local church.

Maximum funding is $5,000 and the congregation is expected to cover 40% of the total cost of the request. A report following the event, or every six months for program development, will be expected.

If congregations want to collaborate on a grant for program development or training, as an incentive, the maximum percent of grant coverage will be raised to 70%, leaving 30% of costs to be split by participating congregations.