(Standard) All Common Application (Standard)

Description

Common Application for CASA, COVID-19, Neighbor in Need and Pension Board Benefits Program

Justice and Local Church Ministries of the United Church of Christ has decided to take a bold step in creating a common application that streamlines our granting process. The hope and goal is to ensure granting is made easier for congregations in the United Church of Christ as we honor the intentions for funding for seven funding areas. Below are the seven funding sources from which this common application allows for you to apply for funds in all areas that you may qualify.  Additionally, find a brief description of each fund, qualification of each fund and intended use of each fund.

The deadlines are listed as below, and applications recieved after the deadline will not be considered in this cycle. 

PLEASE NOTE:  Once you begin your application, do the reference section first to ensure a timely return from your reference.  You are responsible for communicating with your reference directly. 

Requirements

Funding Priority Areas:

1. Operational Financial Support due to COVID-19 Impact (Rolling Applications)

The prolonged impact of COVID-19 has caused increased economic challenge for many of our churches and conferences. We seek to provide financial assistance to local church ministries in   crisis. Grants are available to congregations (as well as conferences who are applying on behalf of congregations), who may choose to use those funds towards operational cost (e.g. staffing, equipment, utilities, etc).

Due to the imperative needs for funding, we are making funds available on a first come first serve, monthly rolling base until funds are exhausted.

This funding is not applicable for cases in which long-term financial support is needed. It is intended to be used only for issues directly related to the operational impact of the coronavirus. The maximum grant shall not exceed $2,500. The final decision of the awarded amount will be based on funding availability.

2. Neighbor In Need Funds (Deadline: October 1st, 2021) THIS DEADLINE IS FIRM.  Applications recieved after the fact will not be considered.
   
   

Neighbor in Needs (NIN) Funds are used to plant seeds in congregations and organizations for programs that creatively address systemic issues of injustice on the local, regional, national, or international level. NIN grants may be used for programming purposes but should focus on strengthening justice advocacy rather than funding charitable projects. Still, those too will be considered. As it relates to international applications, each of these requests must be endorsed by the appropriate Area Executive of the Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ.

There are two funding offerings under the Neighbor in Need fund.

A. Ministry Advocacy and Community Outreach towards Advancing Justice Work

B. Seeking financial support for Innovative program to advance justice work in the community

3. New Church Planters Health, Dental and Pension Benefit Support (Deadline, Sept. 12th, 2021) 

Grants are given by the Pension Boards at the recommendation of Fatih INFO to assist new church start pastors with the cost of health, dental premiums or annuity payments. The grant is awarded traditionally over a three-year period and does not need re-application each year. The maximum of up to $10,000 in 1^st year, up to $8,000 in second year and up to $6,000 in third year

Pastors who apply for this financial assistance must be a new church planter, with church not being more than ten years old. This application is the first step in being considered for a New Church Start Benefit Grant as administered by the Pension Boards. If you are recommended for the New Church Benefit Grant, you must still fill out additional Pension Boards forms sent to you and apply for Life and Disability Income Insurance before you actually receive this grant. This Grant has a deadline of Sept 12, 2021.

4. CASA New and Renewing Church Grants (Deadline: Oct 1st, 2021)

This grant is available to faith communities affiliated with the United Church of Christ in the US.  If the applicant is not a Member in Discernment or UCC minister in good standing, a UCC accountability structure must be described and agreed upon through the local conference or committee on ministry and indicated in the application.

These funds are for Ministries that are seeking to gain support in reaching sustainability through coaching and financial support, with a goal of multi-year funding towards sustainability. Grants are awarded based on how the ministries are impacting their local communities in alignment with the vision, mission, and purpose of the UCC.

This funding source has three categories that resources are allotted towards: New Church Plants, Renewing Churches within the United Church of Christ and Current CASA grant recipient seeking continued funding, all applications are due on Oct. 1, 2021.