Available beginning July 1, 2026
We are excited to announce two new grant opportunities designed to support the well-being, rest, and renewal of our active clergy. Whether you are planning an extended renewal leave or looking for creative ways to invest in your daily health and wellness, these funds are here to support you.
Explore the details for each grant below and find the application links at the bottom or the top of the page.
Clergy Renewal Grant Program
Funding: Up to $5,000
Frequency: Eligible once every 7 years
Purpose & Eligibility: In alignment with The Book of Discipline’s expectation for Renewal Leave, this grant provides financial support to ensure active clergy can take meaningful time away for rest and transformation.
What Funds Can Be Used For: These flexible funds can be directed toward either the church or the individual pastor to ensure a smooth, worry-free leave:
· Congregational Support: Funding pastoral supply or coverage needs at the church(es) you serve so you can step away completely.
· Personal Renewal Expenses: Covering your actual renewal leave expenses, including educational courses, workshops, or travel costs.
Clergy Wellness Grants
Funding: Up to $4,000 per quadrennium
Frequency: You may apply for this grant more than once in a quadrennium, but there is a total limit per quadrennium of $4000 that will be granted per clergy person.
Purpose & Eligibility: The purpose of this grant is intentionally broad because wellness looks different for everyone. This is your opportunity to get creative—what do you need to sustain your physical, emotional, or spiritual health?
What Funds Can Be Used For: We encourage you to think outside the box and share with us what would help you be well and why. Examples of eligible uses include:
· Spiritual Renewal: Funding a retreat, spiritual direction, or a gathering with colleagues.
· Physical Health: Supporting gym memberships, fitness equipment, or wellness programs.
· Personal Care: Any creative initiative that helps you recharge and maintain holistic health.
How to Apply
Applications for both grant programs open on July 1, 2026.
To submit your request, please select the appropriate application portal below:
Have questions about eligibility or the application process? Contact our benefits team for assistance.
FAQ
Renewal Leave Grants are only available for taking time away from ministry for a time that is not vacation, but is meant to provide spiritual growth and renewal by taking a pause from ministry.
Wellness Grants are meant to enable you to engage in something that will make you more well. This is intentionally broad and could include gym memberships, equipment, massage, counseling, coaching, retreats, continuing education or vacations as just a few examples.
Yes, theoretically this could happen. If, for instance, one were planning renewal leave but part of that renewal leave was a focus on a particular kind of wellness, then one could apply for both the Renewal Leave grant and the Wellness grant at the same time.
Additionally, there is still money available through the Board of Ordained Ministry for Continuing Education. Up to $750 per quadrennium is currently available and could potentially be combined with either of these grants.
The Michigan Conference Appointive Cabinet has stated that Renewal Leave is more than 4 weeks. The Book of Discipline states that it can be up to 6 months.
These funds are available to active clergy. Renewal Leave grants will be given with preference to those serving in the local church, though those in extension ministries are welcome to apply. Wellness grants are available to all active clergy whether you are currently appointed or not, though, again, preference will be given to those in active appointments.
In order to take renewal leave, according to the Book of Discipline, one must have a plan for that time. Sometimes when one needs a break, the last thing one can imagine is coming up with a plan. Coaching is provided (up to 3 sessions) to help with that planning process. While the coach cannot make the plan for you, they can ask good questions that can help you get to a plan more easily.
Simply let us know you’d like to work with a coach and we will reach out to you about possible preferences, etc.
The Renewal Leave grant may only be applied for once every 7 years. The Wellness grant can be applied for multiple times during the quadrennium, but has a cap. It is also important to know that if one has applied and received a Wellness grant, that preference will be given to those that have not yet received any funds. This is the same with the Renewal Leave grant. If one has already received a Renewal Leave grant and is reapplying, preference will be given to those that have not yet received a Renewal Leave grant.
If you are on loan to another Conference, you may certainly apply for these grants, but preference will be given to those that are serving within the bounds of Michigan.
If you are on loan from another Conference serving in Michigan, you are welcome to apply for these grants, but preference will be given to members of the Michigan Conference.
Please expect the application process to take approximately 3 weeks to complete.
There is no deadline, though we expect that funds will be claimed quickly, so it’s possible that when you apply there will no longer be funds.
One cannot apply too soon. If one is planning to take Renewal Leave in 2028 and wants to apply for a grant now, that is appropriate. Those funds, if they are approved, would be dispersed at the actual time of the leave, even if the application takes place now.
Yes, unfortunately, grant recipients will receive a 1099 for these funds. One should be prepared for the increased tax liability in the year they receive a grant. There are ways to work around this and those options will be explored with the recipient once the grant is approved.
Unfortunately these grants are only available to active clergy. Even if one is serving in retirement, they are not eligible for these grants.
The most important thing is that one be able to articulate how this will help sustain them in ministry or improve their wellness. Both of these grants were created with the goal of helping to combat clergy burnout and to keep people in active ministry.
When applying for a Renewal Leave grant, it’s important that one can articulate how they will grow from the time away that they are planning. Renewal Leave, while a time to step away from ministry, is not vacation. It is meant to enrich one beyond simply “time off.” One must be able to articulate how they will benefit from stepping away either in renewed spirituality, education or capacity.