Apply Now for Matthew 25 Grants

Presbyterian Churches and Institutions, apply now for Matt 25 grants designed to help you augment your ministries to strengthen congregational vitality, to eradicate structural racism, and to dismantle structural poverty.

Complete applications are due by September 30, 2022; Letters of Endorsement are due by October 7, 2022

 ELIGIBILITY 

Matthew 25 Synod Grants are available to Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations and institutions within the Synod of the Covenant. Congregations who share ministry with non-PC(USA) institutions and organizations within the geographic bounds of the Synod of the Covenant may also apply in order to fund the ministry contributed by the church. The congregation must submit the Matthew 25 Grant application, rather than the non-PCUSA institutions or organizations. 

The purpose of the grant must specifically be Christian in focus and adhere to the objectives of the PC(USA) Matthew 25 Initiative.1 Special consideration will be given to churches, ministries, and institutions which are primarily composed of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and/or whose proposals are centered directly on the same context (neighborhood) as the congregation. 

Projects must directly address at least one of the three Matthew 25 mission priorities of the Synod of the Covenant: 

• Building congregational vitality by challenging people and congregations to deepen their faith and get actively and joyfully engaged with their community and the world.
• Dismantling structural racism by advocating and acting to break down the systems, practices and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of people of color.
• Eradicating systemic poverty by working to change laws, policies, plans and structures in our society that perpetuate economic exploitation of people who are poor.

Grants are awarded on the strength of the application and preference will be given to applications from congregations, institutions and organizations who have not applied previously. Continuing grants for completion of a project may also be considered. Individuals or outside

The grant awarded may be up to $5000.00 annually. Grants must be applied for every year. Evidence of institutional or congregational financial support for the project is strongly recommended. 

Grants may be used for either capital expenditures or program materials and costs, but not staffing. A status update is due to the committee at 6 months post award of the grant, and a formal evaluation of the project is due within one month following completion of the project. 

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Please review the informational and instructional video, “Applying for a Synod of the Covenant Matthew 25 Grant.” 
• Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1, 2022. 
• Applications and all requested materials, as well as an endorsement letter from pastor or moderator/clerk of session or Executive Director/Board Chair of PC(USA) Institution, must be submitted together to receive consideration by the grant review committee. 
• Application must include a letter of endorsement/reference (not attestation) from the Presbytery leader (Executive or General Presbyter or Stated Clerk) and sent under separate cover by the writer from the application packet, due directly to grants@synodofthecovenant.org by October 7, 2022. 

The Synod Grants Committee strongly recommends ongoing conversations with Presbytery leadership during the application process in an effort to submit a strong proposal. 

• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered nor will they be carried forward automatically. 
• Applicants will need to reapply for the next cycle to be eligible for funding. 

Questions can be addressed to Rev. Amy Duiker at aduiker@sugarcreekchurch.org or Rev. Betty Angelini at bettyangelini@fpcwarren.org. 

Applications can be completed and uploaded below, or emailed to grants@synodofthecovenant.org.

Please contact the Synod Grants and Scholarships Committee using the following information:

Grants and Scholarship Network, The Synod of the Covenant
grants@synodofthecovenant.org
419-754-4050

Note: Complete grant application must be received by September 30, 2022 and must include the following materials:

• Application form
• Attachment answering application questions
• Letter of affirmation from Pastor and/or Clerk of Session of associated congregation or Executive Director and/or Board Chair of PC(USA) Institution.
• Letter of endorsement/reference (not attestation) from the Presbytery leadership sent under separate cover by the writer. (Due by October 7, 2022, to grants@synodofthecovenant.org)