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Your Church, May/Jun 1998
Winning Grants for Church
Programs
An innovative way to fund the Lord's work
Irene Martin
If your church is starting a program for which
funding or materials are needed, you may want to consider asking a local
agency, business, foundation, or private charity for assistance. To do that,
you must write a grant proposal.
Writing such a proposal isn't so difficult. If your church is doing what
God has called it to do, then asking for aid is an honorable way of searching
for the resources God is ready to provide.
Proposal writing shouldn't be like a game of chance, in which the church
targets dozens of prospects and fires off a form letter to each. Here's a
better way to win grants:
1. Know what God wants you to do. Determine exactly what God
is calling you to do, how it should be done, and what resources you need
to carry it out. Pray as individuals and as a corporate body about your plans.
Ask for guidance. And trust God to provide for the needs of his ministry.
2. Determine what grant you need. Several types of grants are
available, so make sure you request the right one. For example, a capital
grant is designated for construction or renovation. It can be used for building
or altering a facility to make it suitable for the program you're planning.
An operating grant will fund the daily cost of a program or project, including
items such as salaries or utility bills. A special funding grant can finance
a particular project, such as a summer youth program. A debt retirement grant
can help a church pay off its debt.
3. Network within the church body. Ask the congregation for
suggestions of foundations, charities, businesses, church groups, government
agencies, and corporations that offer grants. If a church member knows someone
in an organization who can help you, cultivate that relationship.
4. See what your denomination has to offer. Check with
denominational headquarters to see if grants are available from the denomination
or church-related foundations. Aid Associations for Lutherans, for example,
sometimes provides matching funds to local Lutheran churches. The Episcopal
Church offers substantial grants for programs that address human need. If
you want to start a food and clothing bank, contact churches of other
denominations, neighborhood associations, and local agencies to see if you
can work together on the project.
5. Research groups with similar values. Look for agencies,
organizations, and individuals that share your values and might want to help
you out financially. Check the phone book (under "Foundations"), the Internet,
and your local library. Resources, such as the Foundation Directory,
list grant-giving organizations by subject and geographic area (see sidebar).
While you're at the library, check out resources that tell how to write grant
proposals.
The directory lists the priorities of each foundation. Some organizations
don't offer grants specifically to churches, but others are willing to give
to certain kinds of church programs. For example, Newman's Own Foundation,
founded by actor Paul Newman, lists the Southminster Presbyterian Youth Group
in Beaverton, Oregon, as a recipient of one of its grants. It also provided
funds to the Salvation Army in Titusville, Florida.
Some foundations give only to churches, and some only to certain denominations.
The Kresge Foundation offers grants to Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic,
and nondenominational groups. The Knott Foundation limits itself to Roman
Catholic organizations.
6. Follow the rules. In writing a grant proposal, heed the
guidelines of the potential donor, and include necessary supporting documents.
You are establishing a relationship, so emphasize the qualities you want
to share, such as courtesy, honesty, charity, compassion, and commitment.
Your proposal will tell the potential donor much about you, so make sure
you present yourself well and clearly explain why you are searching for funds.
Even if you do not win a specific grant now, your ideas and values may influence
future giving.
7. Recognize other types of aid. The
daycare and preschool program at Saint James Episcopal in Cathlamet, Washington,
doesn't get grants from a paper company, but it has received many free paper
products. Companies like Microsoft and Foot Locker also donate products to
charity. Be flexible. When you ask for help, be thankful for whatever form
it comes in.
8. Build an ongoing relationship. Once you have received support
and your program is up and running, stay in contact with grant-givers by
sending them annual reports of your program and invitations to special events.
After all, you may want to approach the donor for future funding.
Finally, be willing to share your success story with other churches who may
need similar grants. Encourage them as others have encouraged you through
their generosity.
Irene Martin is the priest at Saint James Episcopal Church
in Cathlamet, Washington.
Where to Look for Grants
Sources for information on church grants include:
The Foundation Directory, published yearly by the Foundation Center;
$190 for softcover.
National Guide to Funding in Religion, 1997, published by the Foundation
Center; $140.
National Directory of Grantmaking Public Charities, 1995, published
by the Foundation Center; $95.
Fundraiser's Guide to Religious Philanthropy, 1997, published by The
Taft Group; $165. The latest edition includes information on church-affiliated
donors as well as foundations and corporations.
Grants Data Base, available online for subscribers, and in other formats.
For a catalog, call The Taft Group (800-279-6799) or check the Web address
http://www.oryxpress.com/grants.htm.
Copyright © 1998 by the author or Christianity Today International/Your
Church. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail
yceditor@yourchurch.net.
May/June 1998, Vol.44, No. 3, Page 68
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