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
Rural Church Grants
THE DUKE ENDOWMENT
The Duke Endowment is committed to preserving the pivotal role churches play in rural communities. We support clergy and congregations — ensuring they have the tools to walk faithfully together — as they strengthen rural areas. We help United Methodist Churches make greater contributions that have lasting, positive impacts in their communities.
Applications Due 10/3/23. Learn more and apply now→
Mission Seed Funds
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
Mission Seed Funds are designed to facilitate and encourage United Methodist congregations of the NC Conference to engage in new ministry with people in their local communities who would not usually participate in the life of the church. Priority is given to new ministry initiatives that meet at least one of the five areas of emphasis of the NCCUMC: Healthy Congregations, Congregations for Children (C4C), Unity, Anti-racism, and Effective Leaders.
Applications Due 10/20/23. Learn more and apply now→
Mustard Seed Migration Grants
UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF
UMCOR will award grants of $2,000 USD to up to 100 United Methodist local churches to engage in new, one-time community-based service projects and ministries focused on migrants and refugees. We also encourage participating congregations to think about what they might do on a long-term basis, how they might get involved in advocacy to address systemic injustices present in immigration policy or consider how they might more completely live into a new understanding of church as the kingdom of God, actively engaged in caring for the most vulnerable in the community.
Applications Due 11/1/23. Learn more and apply now→
Clergy Loan Program
UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION
The Clergy Loan Program was created out of the desire to help clergy and their families to escape paralyzing debt that can have a negative effect not only on the individual and family but also on relationships within the church family. Our hope is that through participation in this program clergy will find new and healthy opportunities to be stewards of the financial blessings God has provided.
Applications Due 11/30/23. Learn more and apply now→
Partners in Health & Wholeness Mini-Grants
NC COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
We are excited to partner with congregations across the state to engage our faith communities and their larger communities in living happier, healthier, more abundant lives. We have proudly done this for years through our PHW Collaborative Pledge and PHW Mini-Grant program. Congregations identifying as United Methodist, African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, and Christian Methodist Episcopal are eligible for a mini-grant of up to $3,000 in any PHW Focus Area.
Applications Due 11/30/23. Learn more and apply now→
Child & Family Well-Being Grants
THE DUKE ENDOWMENT
Child and Family Well-Being works through accredited organizations and other nonprofit groups in North Carolina and South Carolina. Target population: children, youth and families who have either experienced child abuse or neglect or those at imminent risk of experiencing child maltreatment. The Duke Endowment has introduced a new pre-application process for the Child and Family Well-Being program area. It consists of several questions, which will help confirm your eligibility and guide you to one of three areas of work: Support for Implementation of Tested Programs, Commit to Innovation or Advocate for Improvement.
Applications Due 12/15/23. Learn more and apply now→
Health Care Grants
THE DUKE ENDOWMENT
In his Indenture of Trust, our founder focused Health Care funding to priority organizations in the Carolinas. Our funding priorities are Access to Care for Vulnerable Populations, Maternal and Infant Health, Mental Health, Oral Health, Population Health, and Workforce Development.
Applications Due 12/15/23. Learn more and apply now→
Peace with Justice
NC CONFERENCE BOARD OF CHURCH AND SOCIETY
Is your church ready to step beyond charity and into solidarity and justice ministries? Peace with Justice grants are available to UMC churches and affiliated nonprofits. Funded by Peace with Justice Sunday offerings, these grants are possible because Methodists share their gifts generously and share the vision of justice ministries. The NCC Board of Church and Society reviews and awards these grants quarterly.
Applications Due 1/8/24. 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 five $500 New or Emerging Young People’s Ministry Awards to United Methodist rural, or town and country churches within the United States. Interested persons are asked to submit an application that describes either a new or existing (started within the last 6 months), young people’s outreach program that seeks to benefit those in their communities and beyond.
Applications Due 1/10/24. 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 North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church who seek confidential counseling and therapy. Clergy Care funds are NOT to be used for career enhancement but are limited to personal growth and well-being. Clergy Care is financial assistance, $400 a year per family, for clergy.
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. As funds are repaid, new loans are originated. At a given point in time, funds may or may not be available to make new loans. 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. These grants are only approved after consultation with our contractor.
UMVIM Missional Exchange Grants
NC CONFERENCE UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION
Missional Exchange Grants are intended to encourage UMVIM initiatives by various groups. All team leaders from the North Carolina Conference must receive approval from the Conference UMVIM Committee. 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.
Learn more and apply now→
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. The Isa Grant Scholarship Fund is designed to assist persons for whom the expense of participating in a mission team is prohibitive. Priority is given to youth 21 years of age and younger. The Amanda Lee Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Amanda Lee, the daughter of Rev. Jim & Sharon Lee. Priority is given to young adults (ages 18-29). The Jason K. Branton Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Jason K. Branton, the grandson of Virginia Wrenn.
Learn more and apply now→
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. For any questions or more information, email benefitsteam@nccumc.org.
One Who is Loved
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
United Methodist Foundation is a trustee of a special endowment called the “One Who Is Loved Fund.” This permanent endowment 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. It does this by linking successful congregational resource centers with congregations that are in search of new ideas and revitalization.
Hispanic-Latinx Ministries
NC CONFERENCE OF THE UMC
The NC Annual Conference offers funding to enable Pilgrimage participation by Hispanic/Latinx youth.
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 which have created this one-time emergency situation. The maximum grant amount available from the Program is $3,000 per each individual approved application. Applications should be returned to benefitsteam@nccumc.org.
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
The General Board of Global Ministries accepts applications monthly for Asian American Language Ministry grants, Community Developers Program (CDP) Seed grants, Community Engagement grants – United Methodist Voluntary Service (UMVS), Native American Ministries grants, and Pacific Islander Ministry Plan grants.
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. Because of RAFI-USA’s long-standing relationships with farmers, farmers markets, and faith communities throughout North Carolina, Come to the Table is uniquely situated to connect these groups in mutually beneficial relationships.
Learn more and apply now→
