The NC Conference recommends the following grants, scholarships, and loans available to United Methodist churches and ministry leaders in the North Carolina Conference. These programs are funded by the Conference or our partner organizations.
The funding opportunities listed here have application deadlines in the near future. Additional opportunities have deadlines coming up later in the year. View the complete list at Grants, Scholarships & Loans.
Upcoming Deadlines
Peace with Justice
NC CONFERENCE BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY
Is your church ready to step beyond charity and into solidarity and justice ministries? Funded by Peace with Justice Sunday offerings, these grants are possible because Methodists share their gifts generously and share the vision of justice ministries.
Applications Due 1/8/24 or 3/31/24. Learn more and apply now→
New or Emerging Young People’s Ministry Awards
UNITED METHODIST RURAL ADVOCATES
The United Methodist Rural Advocates are now offering (5) $500 New or Emerging Young People’s Ministry Awards to United Methodist rural, or town and country churches within the United States.
Applications Due 1/10/24. Learn more and apply now→
Youth Service Fund
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
YSF is money raised BY Youth, spent BY Youth to benefit Youth. Our YSF Task Force is made up of the Conference Youth Treasurer and one youth representative from each district who determine how YSF monies from the NC Conference are spent.
Applications Due 1/31/24. Learn more and apply now→
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministry Grants
UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING MINISTRIES
Grant requests are typically approved for new ministries or for existing ministries that are adding a new program (such as an interpreting ministry expanding to include a hard-of-hearing ministry).
Applications Due 1/31/24. Learn more and apply now→
Intentional Growth Center
SOUTHEASTERN JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
The IGC seeks to fund educational events or programs that increase pastoral and congregational effectiveness in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Applications Due 2/1/24. Learn more and apply now→
Reynolds Ministry Fund
UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
If your church or organization has an idea to engage the community – but isn’t sure how to pay for it – a Reynolds grant can help. Every penny is distributed in the hope that new disciples will be made.
Applications Due 2/1/24. Learn more and apply now→
Creating New Economies Fund
RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES
CNEF provides direct investment in community-based efforts. A portion of CNEF funds is available to help rural United Methodist Churches strengthen food ministries.
Applications Due 2/16/24. Learn more and apply now→
Come to the Table
RURAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL
United Methodist churches in rural North Carolina can apply to receive funding to purchase food from a local farmer of color. Churches must use these funds to purchase food from a designated farmer of color to distribute to food-insecure community members.
Applications Due 2/16/24. Learn more and apply now→
Josephine Forman Scholarship
GENERAL COMMISSION ON ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
GCAH funds the Josephine Forman scholarship each year to provide financial support to minority students pursuing graduate education in archival science, to encourage students to pursue a career as an archivist, and to promote the diversification of the American archives profession.
Applications Due 2/28/24. Learn more and apply now→
Equipping the Local Church Grant
THE FOUNDATION FOR EVANGELISM
The grant focus is to launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel, tell their faith stories, and invite others into a relationship with Jesus. It seeks to empower pastors, laity, and smaller local congregations to dream, take risks, and partner with God in the transformation of lives and communities.
Applications Due 2/29/24. Learn more and apply now→
UMHEF Scholarships
UNITED METHODIST HIGHER EDUCATION FOUNDATION
UMHEF scholarships help make it financially possible for qualifying students to obtain higher education, especially those attending United Methodist-related institutions.
Applications Due 3/1/24. Learn more and apply now→
Racial-Ethnic Local Church Grants
GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES
These grants assist local congregations with projects and programs focusing on leadership development, church growth and development, ministry with the poor, and health ministries. Applicant churches must have at least a 51% majority nonwhite congregation.
Applications Due 3/1/24. Learn more and apply now→
Multiethnic Ministries Grants
GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES
These grants of up to $15,000 are provided to assist annual conferences with programs focusing on racial-ethnic leadership development and racial-ethnic church growth and development.
Applications Due 3/1/24. Learn more and apply now→
Ministerial Education Fund
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
Certified Candidates from the NC Conference are eligible to apply for Ministerial Education Funds. Aid may be granted to students during their junior and senior years in undergraduate school and in each of their seminary years while working on the basic degree for ordination.
Applications Due 3/13/24. Learn more and apply now→
GBHEM Scholarships
GENERAL BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND MINISTRY
Students can submit one general application, which will be screened for all possible eligible programs. Applicant must be an active, full member of The United Methodist Church for at least one year and pursuing a degree program at an accredited institution within the U.S.
Applications Due 3/13/24. Learn more and apply now→
Clergy Renewal Programs
LILLY ENDOWMENT
National Clergy Renewal Programs provide an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and engage in a period of renewal and reflection.
Applications Due 3/13/24. Learn more and apply now→
Grants/Awards for Students and Researchers
GENERAL COMMISSION ON ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
GCAH is calling for students and researchers to apply for grants and awards offered in a number of fields of study, including United Methodist history, particularly as it relates to women and ethnic groups, and archival science.
Applications Due 3/17/24. Learn more and apply now→
Comprehensive Plan of Inclusiveness
NC CONFERENCE RACE EQUITY & JUSTICE MINISTRIES
The project must relate to the 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.
Applications Due 3/31/24. Learn more and apply now→
Global Youth Service Fund
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES OF THE UMC
The Global YSF is a unique grant program within the UMC because all aspects involve youth. Youth create fundraisers and contribute money, youth decide what projects receive money, and all of the projects supported must be youth-designed, led by youth, and benefit young people.
Applications Due 4/15/24. Learn more and apply now→
Grants for Ministries with Young People
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES OF THE UMC
Young People’s Ministries offers these grants through our program budget because we believe that dynamic, creative individuals and groups sometimes need resources to help a ministry become reality. These grants are meant to support creative and innovative approaches to ministry for, with, and by young people.
Applications Due 4/15/24. Learn more and apply now→
Rolling Deadlines
The following opportunities accept applications throughout the year or on a rolling basis. Follow each link for more information.
Course of Study
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
The NC Conference provides reimbursement of registration costs for the Course of Study programs, including Basic and Advanced COS.
Continuing Education
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
Continuing Education funds are for clergy currently under appointment. Applicants must be a member of the North Carolina Annual Conference. Opportunities include Clinical Pastoral Education, Holy Land trips, and more.
Clergy Counseling
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
The Clergy Care Committee provides financial assistance to clergy families of the NC Conference who seek confidential counseling and therapy.
Board of Mission Church Loans
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
The Board of Mission, Inc. is primarily a low-interest lending organization. Loan applications are considered on a cash-available basis. Loans are also considered on a missional basis. Churches receiving missional priority are those in low-income neighborhoods and those needing more space to engage in cross-cultural and cross-racial programs. Some matching grant funding is available to churches needing repairs or replacement of vital building components.
UMVIM Missional Exchange Grants
NC CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION
Missional Exchange Grants are intended to encourage UMVIM initiatives by various groups. Team leader training by the Conference UMVIM Committee is required to qualify for this grant. Additionally, teams seeking this grant must register for insurance through UMVIM, SEJ.
UMVIM Scholarships for Individuals
NC CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION
NCC UMVIM offers scholarships to individuals from several different funds created over the years, including the Isa Grant Scholarship Fund, Amanda Lee Scholarship Fund, and Jason K. Branton Scholarship Fund.
Golden Cross
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
Golden Cross is a ministry that reaches out in love to the laity in our Annual Conference who are experiencing financial difficulty due to excessive medical expenses. Recipients must be active United Methodist members and be recommended for assistance by their pastor.
One Who is Loved
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
United Methodist Foundation is a trustee of this special endowment that makes possible love gifts to benefit children under the age of 18 who have special needs such as specialized medical equipment or supplies/medicine, transportation to hospitals or treatment centers, or other special needs. Pastors of the NC Conference are encouraged to recommend children for the fund.
Leadership Grant Assistance
NC CONFERENCE STRENGTHENING THE BLACK CHURCH MINISTRIES
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is a program designed to assist United Methodist churches with predominantly Black congregations to become effective in mission and ministry.
Hispanic-Latinx Ministries
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
The NC Annual Conference offers funding to enable Pilgrimage participation by Hispanic/Latinx youth.
Refugee and Immigrant Communities
NC CONFERENCE REFUGEE & IMMIGRATION COMMITTEE
Churches can now complete one of three short Google forms to request monetary assistance to assist refugees and immigrants for: Refugees’ or immigrants’ filing and legal fees; Refugees’ or immigrants’ resettlement and transition expenses; Projects impacting the refugee/immigrant community.
Retired/Medical Leave Clergy Grants
THE SHEPHERD’S FUND
A retired pastor and their spouse can qualify for a one-time grant of up to $10,000 each or $20,000 total. They may reapply in subsequent years, especially if they have a chronic ongoing medical condition. Grants may also be given to pastors on medical leave and their spouses, or widows of pastors. Grants may also be given to retired pastors or pastors on medical leave that are legal custodians for their adult children that may have a medical issue from childhood. Grants may also be given to retired pastors or pastors on medical leave that are legal custodians for their grandchildren that may have a medical crisis or issue, regardless of age.
Farmer Fund Grant
WESPATH
Distressed clergy members or former clergy members of an annual conference; their spouses, former spouses, former surviving spouses; or surviving dependent children (including adult dependent children) are eligible to apply for a grant. The applicant is required to attach additional documentation pertaining to any unusual medical, legal, or other expenses that have created this one-time emergency situation.
Local Church Marketing Services
UNITED METHODIST COMMUNICATIONS
United Methodist Communications offers marketing services and promotional grants to United Methodist congregations active in their communities and need support and guidance in reaching new people in new ways.
UMCOR Grants
UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
UMCOR offers grants for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation, Relief, Recovery, and Migration. UMCOR’s core values of equality and justice, respect with dignity, and good stewardship are reflected in UMCOR’s grant-making priorities.
Multiethnic Ministries Grants
GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES
GBGM accepts applications monthly for Asian American Language Ministry grants, Community Developers Program Seed grants, Community Engagement grants – United Methodist Voluntary Service, Native American Ministries grants, and Pacific Islander Ministry Plan grants.