Missions
Grants
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What are

missions grants?

We value the individual passions and strengths of our members and believe that God intends to use them to build his Kingdom in our communities.

Missions Grants is a funding program that invites our members to apply for yearly grants up to $2,500 to support specific projects or programs of their personal ministry that serve the Upstate. Recipients receive financial support as well as personal encouragement.

Below you will find more information about eligibility for the grant and upcoming application dates. Please consider ways you can personally support, pray for, and encourage our members as they are serving.

Apply

Applications will open on September 19 and close October 10, 2024.

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Missions Grants?

Missions grants are annual, one-time donations for projects or expenses up to $2,500 range, to a maximum of 10 grants per calendar year. Individuals may apply for and receive one grant in a 12-month period. Grant recipients may receive up to two grants in a four-year period.

Who can apply for a Missions Grant?

Covenant members who:

  1. Are working or serving part-time or full-time in a local organization.
  2. Hold a substantial role and active participation with the organization.
  3. Have served at Grace Church for at least one year.
  4. Have been in biblical community at Grace Church for at least one year.

Organizations must be morally positive and spiritually neutral or Christian faith-based.

What can grant funds be used for?
  1. Specific projects or programs of a ministry in the Upstate where the applicants are personally serving.
  2. A grant request with quantifiable goals and timeline.
  3. Grant requests and organizations that:
  • Grow the capacity of the organization to further their ministry reach.
  • Emphasize spiritual development, where appropriate.

See the grant rubric below for application details.

Can I use grant funds to cover living expenses or salary?

No, funding cannot be used for salary and living expenses.

Are Missions Grants a way for me to raise support for my mission trip?

No, funding cannot be used to raise support for mission trips.

Are there areas that a Missions Grant will not fund?

Missions Grants will not fund:

  • Salaries.
  • Fixed costs, such as rent and utilities.
  • Organizations that are political in nature.
  • Existing major ministry partners of Grace Church.
  • More than one organization per covenant member per year.
  • Grants requests that require reimbursement, or occur before or during the grant application period.
  • An individual’s mission trip expenses.
How are grants awarded?

The Missions Grants review team will evaluate all requests after the application deadline using a scoring rubric. All applications will be ranked based on total score, with the top scores receiving fully funded grants of up to $2,500.  A limited amount of funds are available for each grant period, and not every applicant will receive a grant.

What does the application process look like?

Applications are open twice a year in spring and fall. Decisions about grants will be made in May and November. Recipients will receive their grant award by June 30 and December 30, respectively.

For an application to be considered complete, an applicant must submit an online application along with a completed W-9 form. Grace Church staff will request character references from an applicant’s community group leaders and campus pastor, which will also be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Completed applications, as well as character references, will be sent to the Missions Grants review team for consideration.

When can I apply?

Applications will open on September 19 and close October 10, 2024.