Applications are now available for 2025 New Ventures in Community Ministries Grants.
Download the complete application guidelines
The Diocesan Outreach Endowment Fund was established as a result of the generosity of Missouri Episcopalians through pledges to the Making All Things New Capital Campaign. Its purpose is to challenge congregations to make a difference where they are and to improve the quality of life in and with their communities, as well as to identify pressing social needs and design strategies to meet those needs.
New Ventures in Community Ministries Grants are meant to support projects involving new ministries and new visions. These projects (which may include new aspects of existing programs, as well as entirely new projects) are to be do-able, manageable, replicable, and sustainable by congregations. Consideration will be given to projects that serve people from particular populations (aged, children, youth), or those suffering from poverty, loneliness, or other similar needs.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Diocesan Outreach Endowment Fund through the New Ventures in Community Ministries Grants is to inspire congregations to dare great things for God by developing new ministries and visions in response to changing social needs throughout the Diocese.
The New Ventures in Community Ministries Grant Committee established by the Diocesan Council, with the advice and consent of the Bishop and Diocesan Council, shall be responsible for the disposition of the income generated by the Diocesan Outreach Endowment Fund.
Grant Application Phases
Phase I
- Submission of an Abstract for the proposed project
- Abstract instructions are found on pages 3 and 4 (please download complete application packet at the end of this article)
- Please note that the Abstract should be no longer than three pages
Phase II
- Submission of Formal Application for the proposed project (only after approval of the Abstract by the Grant Committee)
- Formal Application instructions are included on pages 5 and 6 (please download complete application packet at the end of this article)
Award Process
- The Committee will submit its recommendation for approval to the Bishop and Diocesan Council for advice and consent.
- Award of the grants will be announced at the Diocesan Convention in November by the Bishop.
- The Committee will return all Applications and include a letter of explanation to congregations whose Applications are not funded.
Amount of Each Grant
Grant awards will range from a minimum of $2,500.00 to a maximum of $25,000.00.
- The one-year Grant will be disbursed to the Grant recipient at quarterly intervals unless otherwise justified by the applicant’s spending plan and agreed to at the time the Grant is awarded; provided, however, that Grant disbursements may be delayed and rolled over in the event of reasonable delays in the applicable project relating to the Grant.
- The Committee will be responsible for advising Diocesan Canon of Finance and Administration Desiree Brattin of the amount of the award of each Grant and the recommended quarterly allotment, including with respect to any delayed or rolled-over disbursements.
Reporting to Bishop and Diocesan Council
At the February meeting the Committee will report to the Bishop and Diocesan Council the accomplishments of each program that received an award the previous year.
Discretionary Policy Subject to Change
Whether a grant will be awarded is within the discretion of the Bishop and Diocesan Council. This policy is subject to repeal or modification at any time, in accordance with Diocesan Canon VI.1.
The New Ventures in Community Ministries committee, in agreement with the Bishop and Diocesan Council, may from time to time consider emergency or other time sensitive grants outside the Formal Application process. Acceptance of any grant proposal outside the timetable listed below is at the sole discretion of these bodies. The timetable for the Formal Application process is as follows:
Timetable for Abstract and Formal Application process
- July 26, 2024 - Deadline to submit abstracts to the Committee, through the Offices of the Bishop.
- August 12, 2024 - Notice of acceptance or regret regarding abstracts. Congregations are notified whether or not they should proceed to Phase II of the grant application
- September 13, 2024 - Deadline for submitting Formal Application
- September 28, 2024 - Committee receives advice and consent of the Bishop and Diocesan Council
- Diocesan Convention 2024 (Nov. 15-16) - The Bishop will announce the grant awards. Committee notifies congregations that did not receive awards before the convention.
- Mid-January 2025 - Grant money is available mid-January and distributed upon request.