Make A Difference! The Genesis Fund - Domestic 2023 (Opens 12/01/22 - Closes 03/15/23)

Description

The Make a Difference! The Genesis Fund, established in 1996 from funds raised through the Make a Difference! Campaign, provides seed money for faith-based projects that are innovative or experimental, represent a new initiative in Christian mission, or that may be deemed controversial. Funds are available for International and Domestic projects. Please use this application for your DOMESTIC project. Applications for International projects must be submitted via the Make A Difference! The Genesis Fund - International 2022 application form.

Please Note: The Genesis Fund Evaluation Committee strictly adheres to these funding limitations when awarding grants.

Genesis Fund Grants may be used for:

• direct program staff or consultant salaries and benefits, to enable implementation of innovative projects;
• program expenses;
• computer/technology equipment costs;
• power point /video production expenses;
• program-related office expenses (telephone, postage, etc.);
• publicity/promotional costs (publication and distribution).

Genesis Fund grant monies may NOT be used for:

• stipends or scholarships;
• capital expenses (buildings, major repairs, furnishings).

Amount and Terms of the Grant
The amount of funds available varies each year.  In general, Genesis Fund - Domestic projects may be granted up to $5,000 for the first year and up to $3,000 for a second renewal year. Project grants may be renewed in the subsequent year only.

Grantees shall submit a grant report by the due date, which will be indicated in the Notice of Grant Award.

In the first year, twenty-five percent of project funds must come from other sources. If the grant is renewed, thirty-five percent of project funds must come from other sources.

Genesis Fund grant monies, or any portion thereof, that are not utilized for the stated purpose by the grant report, must be returned to the United Church of Christ for reinvestment in the Make a Difference! Genesis Fund endowment. It is the responsibility of the grantee to notify the United Church of Christ Office of Scholarship/Grant Administration at scholarships@ucc.org if the grant funds, or any portion thereof, have not been used, or if it appears that the funds will not be used within the specified time frame.

Requirements

The following entities are eligible to submit proposals for a Genesis Fund - Domestic grant:

• United Church of Christ local churches, Associations, Conferences and national bodies;
• UCC-related institutions* in service to the community

* Full members of the UCC Council for Higher Education, the UCC Council for Theological Education, and the UCC Council for Health and Human Service Ministries as listed in the UCC Yearbook.

All proposals considered must be for projects clearly related to actions of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ within one of the following programmatic areas:

• environmental stewardship;
• the rights and freedoms of all persons;
• the fair use of economic resources.

Applicants must identify the one category in which they wish their proposal to be considered, as well as provide the rationale for that category.

Applicants must state the specific General Synod resolution(s) and connect the resolution(s) to the proposed project.

Applicants must agree that project success may be depicted in UCC marketing materials.

Grantees must agree to share best practices when called upon by others who wish to implement a similar project.

Proposals require the use of SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Limited). SMART Goals and innovation are of utmost importance in the award process.

Renewable

Yes