Grace Church | Missions Grants

What are missions grants?

It’s true: disciples make disciples. And local, regional, and international ministry is accomplished in many ways beyond formal programs of the church. We value the individual passions and strengths of our members and believe that God intends to use them to build his kingdom both here and around the world.

Missions Grants is a funding program that invites our members to apply for yearly grants of $1000-2500 to support specific projects or programs of their personal ministry.

Recipients receive financial support as well as personal encouragement.

Below you will find a list of current recipients and information on upcoming application dates. Please consider ways you can personally support, pray for, and encourage our members as they are serving.

Current Recipients

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Applications for the spring will be open from March 16 to March 30, 2023.

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Application Rubric

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Missions Grant?

Missions grants are annual, one-time donations for projects or expenses in the $1000-$2500 range, to a maximum of 20 grants per calendar year. Individuals may apply for and receive one grant in a 12-month period.

What can grant funds be used for?

Funding should be used for:

A grant request that directly address a specific need related to the individual’s role and responsibility with the missions organization or a proven concept to meet a need with an organization or cause we support.
A grant request with quantifiable goals and timeline.
Grant requests and organizations that:

Grow the capacity of the organization to further their ministry reach.
Emphasize spiritual development, where appropriate.

Priority is given to organizations and/or grant requests:

With a leadership development component, or
With volunteer opportunities, or
That involve or strengthen existing or strategic Grace Church partnerships, or
Influence the local upstate community.

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

Funding for support-raising related to salary and living expenses will only be considered after the individual has raised more than 75% of needed funds. In these special cases, each grant is a one-time donation for one year only. Funding for short-term mission trips will only be considered for trips of at least one month duration or for training trips to potential full-time missions locations.

Who can apply for a Missions Grant?

Covenant members who:

Are working or serving part-time or full-time in local, regional, or international missions with a 501(c)(3) or a registered international non-profit organization; or have a proven concept that meets a need for an organization we support.
- Organizations must be morally positive and spiritually neutral or Christian faith-based.
Hold a substantial role and active participation with the organization.
Are serving at Grace for at least one year.
Are in biblical community at Grace for at least one year.

When can I apply?

Applications for the spring will be open from March 16 to March 30, 2023.

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

Are there areas that a Missions Grant will not fund?

Missions Grants will not fund:

Other foundations
Salaries. Grants for support-raising related to salary and living expenses will only be considered after the individual has raised more than 75% of needed funds. In these special cases, each grant is a one-time donation for one year only.
Fixed costs such as rent and utilities.
Organizations that are political in nature
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 short-term mission trip expenses for trips of less than 1 month duration.

How are grants awarded?

The Missions Grant 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 $1000-2500. 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 December 30 and June 30.

For an application to be considered complete, an applicant must submit an online application along with a completed W9 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 team for consideration.