Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship
Offered through the Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), this scholarship was created to help United Methodist clergy avoid excessive educational loan debt, minimize financial stress and build financial acumen. In 2017, more than $1.66 million was awarded to 206 scholarship recipients. The scholarship is designed for full-time Master of Divinity students attending one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries / schools of theology, and is based on merit, leadership capacity, and financial need. All seminary students are encouraged to apply. Scholarship applications will be open between January 3 and March 1 of each year.
Engaging Young Adults in Rural United Methodist Churches
The North Carolina Conference is offering a workshop and coaching relationship for participating local churches to increase their capacity to engage younger adults in a discipleship pathway leading to a growing relationship with Christ and the church. The workshop is just the beginning. Participating pastor/lay teams will receive ongoing coaching for one year to support them in following through on their efforts. For more information, including dates and cost, view the registration page.
Duke Endowment Rural Church Grants
By developing rural United Methodist churches and supporting their clergy and lay leaders, the Endowment aims to expand church outreach across North Carolina. The Endowment works collaboratively with the North Carolina and Western North Carolina conferences of the United Methodist Church and Duke Divinity School to help rural churches serve their neighbors. Currently, projects should focus on one of the four strategic funding priorities: Leadership development, food and hunger, affordable housing, and/or tutoring and literacy.
Ethnic Local Church Grants
Offered by the UMC General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), these grants will strengthen ethnic minority local churches through education, advocacy or leadership development as they engage in social justice. The program must focus on needs identified by ethnic local churches as they address one or more chronic social problems or concerns, such as housing, employment, health care, human rights, education, the environment and racism.
Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) Grants
Offered by the UMC General Board of Discipleship (GBOD), funding may be awarded for a ministry designed to help local United Methodist churches strengthen and support racial and ethnic church concerns. The ministry must be a project of a local United Methodist church or of the United Methodist connectional system.
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness (CPI) Grants
The project must relate to the Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness (CPI) and must be developed by one or more United Methodist local church(es) with priority given to ethnic churches. The project must address one or more chronic social problems or concerns that impact United Methodist ethnic local churches or ethnic persons. Priority is given to new and pilot projects. Funding is offered by the NC Annual Conference.
CORR Action Fund Grants
The CORR Action Fund will provide grants for innovative, bold, high-impact initiatives that will increase intercultural competency and/or support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, and systemic equity. Projects should result in long-term change that can be replicated in similar environments. United Methodist annual conferences, churches, seminaries, jurisdictions and caucuses are eligible to apply. Rhems UMC in New Bern was one of seven United Methodist groups that received nearly $98,000 in grants from the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) in 2013.
Mission Seed Funds
Offered by the NC Annual Conference, Mission Seed Funds are designed to encourage and facilitate NCC United Methodist congregations in risk-taking ministry and radical hospitality. These funds are designed to be supplemental and specific to new outreach programs that offer hands-on ministry and witness beyond the church walls. Funds may be used to support ministry throughout or beyond the geographical boundaries of the NCC, providing these programs are outreach ministries through local churches. Program outcomes should be measurable and achievable, and ministry should demonstrate a plan for future sustainability.
Peace with Justice Grants
Offered by the General Board of Church and Society, this grant program is funded through the Peace with Justice Special Sunday offering of the United Methodist Church. This Special Sunday witnesses to God’s demands for a faithful, just, disarmed and secure world. Projects considered for funding will outline plans that respond to these demands. Peace with Justice grants are awarded in two cycles: spring (January 10 deadline) and fall (August 10 deadline).
Hispanic/Latino Ministry Grants
The project must be targeted to impact one or more specific NCCUMC Hispanic/Latino ministries and/or its pastor. The project must address either leadership development or spiritual formation within the local church or in the surrounding community. Funding is offered by the NC Annual Conference.
Hispanic/Latino Ministry Pilgrimage Grants
The NC Annual Conference offers funding to enable Pilgrimage participation by Hispanic/Latino youth.
Youth Service Fund (YSF) Grants
Ministries and programs that benefit young people and would not be considered typical local church youth ministry activities (such as mission trips) may be considered for a Youth Service Fund grant. Funding for program continuations will be considered. A DVD about YSF is available for local church use from the NCC Media Center.
Partners in Health and Wholeness Mini-Grants
Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), an initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches that aims to connect health as a faith issue, is offering mini-grants ranging from $500 to $1,000 to support the congregation’s health ministry. In order to qualify for a mini-grant, congregations must first complete one of the three PHW certification levels.