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 funding opportunities will be available later this year. View the complete list at Grants, Scholarships & Loans.
Upcoming Deadlines
Youth Service Fund NC CONFERENCE YOUTH MINISTRIES The Youth Service Fund (YSF) is a ministry by youth, for youth, that supports projects making a real impact in the lives of young people. YSF is powered by youth giving, youth leadership, and youth decision-making. Applications Due 1/15/26. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Thriving Congregations Local Church Cohorts THE FOUNDATION FOR EVANGELISM The cohort program will provide comprehensive training and resources, culminating in an opportunity to apply for the grant cycle. Participants will be guided through the process of outlining a relevant evangelism experiment, leveraging the knowledge and skills acquired during the cohort training. Applications Due 1/30/26. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Intentional Growth Center SOUTHEASTERN JURISDICTION OF THE UMC 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 1/30/26. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Reynolds Ministry Fund UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA The Foundation is ready to support you in reaching people in your community unfamiliar with church life. Eligible projects should help people grow on their faith journeys. Applications Due 2/1/26. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Equipping the Local Church Grant THE FOUNDATION FOR EVANGELISM The grant is intended to help launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel in word and deed, build relationships, and invite others into a discipleship journey with Jesus. Applications Due 2/2/26. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Creating New Economies Fund RESOURCEFUL COMMUNITIES This grant program provides direct investment in community-based efforts that address environmental stewardship, social justice, and sustainable economic development benefits. A portion of CNEF funds is available to help rural United Methodist Churches strengthen food ministries. Applications Due 2/13/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 2/28/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 3/1/2026. |
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| 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 3/5/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Racial/Ethnic Local Church Grants GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES These grants help churches with leadership, growth, ministry to the poor, and health programs. Applicants must have at least 51% nonwhite congregation. Applications Due 3/7/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Grants & Awards 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 3/17/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 3/18/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 3/31/2026. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 are usually due on 3/31. Check the GBHEM website after 1/7/26 for the 2026 deadline. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 OFFICE OF CLERGY LIFE The NC Conference provides reimbursement of registration costs for the Course of Study (COS) programs, including Basic and Advanced COS. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Continuing Education NC CONFERENCE OFFICE OF CLERGY LIFE Continuing Education funds are for clergy currently under appointment. Opportunities include Clinical Pastoral Education, Holy Land trips, and more. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Clergy Counseling NC CONFERENCE OFFICE OF CLERGY LIFE These funds provide financial assistance to clergy families of the NC Conference who seek confidential counseling and therapy. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Board of Mission Church Loans NC CONFERENCE OUTREACH MINISTRY The loan fund was established to enable United Methodist churches of the NC Conference to realize some of their dreams for mission and ministry. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 NC Conference UMVIM Committee is required to qualify for this grant. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| UMVIM Scholarships for Individuals NC CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION NC Conference UMVIM offers scholarships to individuals from The Amanda Lee Scholarship Fund and The Jason K. Branton Scholarship Fund. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Golden Cross NC CONFERENCE TREASURER’S OFFICE This benevolent fund supports the laity of any age in our Annual Conference who are experiencing financial difficulty due to excessive medical expenses such as hospital/physician services, dental, pharmacy, mental health, vision needs, home health services, and medical travel expenses. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| One Who Is Loved NC CONFERENCE TREASURER’S OFFICE This special grant makes possible love gifts to benefit children under the age of 18 who have special needs. Examples of special needs include specialized medical equipment or supplies/medicine, transportation to hospitals or treatment, or other special needs. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Clergy Medical Grant NC CONFERENCE TREASURER’S OFFICE This benevolent fund is set aside by the Conference Insurance Committee to provide grants to eligible clergy facing financial hardship due to medical expenses. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Hispanic-Latino Youth NC CONFERENCE HISPANIC-LATINO MINISTRIES The NC Conference offers funding to enable Pilgrimage participation by Hispanic-Latino youth. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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. Applications are reviewed quarterly. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 within one year of retirement and their spouses, or widows of pastors. Grants may also be given to retired pastors or pastors on medical leave within one year of retirement 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 within one year of retirement that are legal custodians for their grandchildren that may have a medical crisis or issue, regardless of age. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| 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 this grant. The applicant is required to attach documentation pertaining to any unusual medical, legal, or other expenses that have created this one-time emergency situation. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Clergy Debt Relief Program WESPATH In partnership with Wespath, the Interfaith Federal Credit Union offers opportunity for active and retired clergy to make significant progress toward relieving their overall debt burden. Clergy can borrow up to $20,000 to alleviate high-interest debt. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Multiethnic Ministries Grants GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES The General Board of Global Ministries accepts applications monthly for Community Developers Program (CDP) Seed grants, Community Engagement grants – United Methodist Voluntary Service (UMVS), Native American Ministries grants, and Pacific Islander Ministry Plan grants. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |
| Mustard Seed Migration Grants UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF “Welcome the stranger” in your community with a grant of up to $2,000 for a new, one-time community-based service project and ministry focused on migrants and refugees. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis within 30 days of submission. |
| Learn More & Apply→ |