Do you have a new, innovative ministry that needs a financial boost? March 1 is the deadline for Michigan churches, agencies, and UM-affiliated nonprofits to apply for the first round of grants awarded by the Conference Leadership Council.
The Conference Leadership Council (CLC), the steward of the Michigan Conference’s vision and strategy, seeks United Methodists here in Michigan who have new and innovative ideas for ministry.
The CLC is offering grants to congregations, conference agencies, district agencies, and United Methodist-affiliated nonprofits and organizations who dream up new ministries and programs aligned with the conference’s purpose and its vision: living out Christ-Centered Mission and Ministry and developing Bold and Effective Leaders.
Grant request amounts can be between $500 and $5,000. The application deadline is March 1, 2025, for grants that begin by May 1. The deadline is October 1 for those grants that begin by December 1.
The CLC will prioritize funding a new, emerging, and/or innovative project that makes “disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” and will:
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- be part of a larger ministry strategy for their congregation, agency, or organization;
- build relationships with a variety of partners;
- demonstrate potential for replication or multiplication in other contexts;
- address pressing issues impacting the local church, local community, and/or the world;
- plan for evaluating outcomes and the process; and
- demonstrate potential for sustainability (i.e., activities will continue beyond the grant).
The CLC will review grant applications and make funding decisions. The CLC may refer applicants to other conference agencies for funding consideration. The CLC may also encourage two or more separate applicant entities to partner together on their grant request if there are particularly fruitful synergies identified. Priority will be given to first-time applicants.
Grants are on a yearly basis. Project may apply for a second year of funding. Projects will only receive two years of consecutive funding. Projects must wait as many years to reapply as they received funds (i.e., a one-year award requires a one-year resting period; an entity awarded two years of funding in consecutive years must wait two years to reapply).
Congregations, agencies, and organizations may only apply for one grant per calendar year.
Last Updated on February 24, 2025