Gateway Conference Local Church Initiatives
GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA & PROCESS
(2021 Revision)
To further the goals of the Free Methodist Church USA and Gateway Conference, you are invited to submit a proposal that advances the opportunity for local churches to begin new initiatives that support these goals. Specifically, the Conference desires to support initiatives that engage the local church in the life and lives of the community in which they serve.
GRANT CRITERIA
AREAS OF SUPPORT:
Specifically, your initiative should address one or more of these areas that can help advance the Conference goal to “Create and environment for growth and plant 25 new churches by 2025”.
Strengthen the Base – new church initiative helping to create 25 new churches by 2025
o Must be approved and supported by one or more of the
following: A church BOA and Lead Pastor, Church Planter, Core group, District
Leader and/or Conference Superintendent
o Grant requests should reflect no more than 1/3 of the
total project cost and must show evidence of multiple income streams beyond
this grant: ex. Fundraising by church planter; members and attendee tithes;
sponsoring church support, other
o May be a multi-year request: 3 year decreasing support
with potential for year four upon evidence of success and viability.
Annual ministry progress reports submitted to MEGA
& BOA prior to Annual Conference are a condition of continued funding.
o Must have a signed agreement between church planter
and supporting church governing details of financial oversight
Busting Barriers – programs/initiatives that help to overcome hindrances to ministry
o Must be approved and supported by one or more of the
following: Local BOA and Lead Pastor, District Leader and/ or Conference
Superintendent
o Must show clear evidence of the barrier and the
required means to overcome it:
Need for personnel to conduct ministry (lack of human capital; time)
Need for structural repairs critical to maintain ministry (capital resources)
Need for resources to take advantage of a ministry opportunity. Priority given to plans with clear sustainability beyond this grant.
Ministry Incubation – an effort that results in new ministries that meet a unique conference need
o Must be approved and supported by one or more of the
following: A Supporting church BOA and Lead Pastor, Entreprenurial Mistry
Leader, District Leader and/or Conference Superintendent
o Program must address a current unmet need related to Conference priorities
o Must show sustainability beyond this grant
o May be a multi-year request: 3 year decreasing support with potential for year four upon evidence of success and viability
o Grant request should be no more than 1/3 of total project cost and must show evidence of multiple income streams beyond this grant: ex. Fundraising; members and attendee tithes; sponsoring church support, other
Annual ministry progress reports submitted to MEGA & BOA prior to Annual Conference are a condition of continued funding.
GRANT ELIGIBILITY:
Any ministry of the Gateway Conference (NOTE: New ministries require a sponsoring Free Methodist Church)
GRANT FUNDING DETAILS:
Grant requests may be up to $20,000 per year
From time to time larger requests may be considered with prior approval from the Conference Superintendent and Chair of the Board of Administration
Grant requests may be for multi-year funding with an annual report and review process established for each year of funding.
Financial and programmatic reports must be received annually prior to October 1 for release of additional funding
Grants to “Strengthen the Base” will be paid semi-annually
If at any time during the grant cycle, the funds will not or cannot be used for the stated purpose, awardees must submit a rationale explaining cause and requesting a redirection of funds to an alternate project. Should the project not be approved, the awardee must return awarded funds.
PROCESS, DEADLINE AND EXPECTATIONS
(Please refer to Letter of Intent and Grant Application at top of page for detailed information)
- September 1-A letter of intent must be received by the Superintendent to begin the process. The Superintendent will ascertain if the inquiry meets the Grant criteria and vision for the conference. The Superintendent will meet with the intendent to discuss the project to make sure that the project fits within the conference goals as well as to review the application process and expectations. Approval by the Superintendent to submit a grant proposal is required for the SDFGC to consider a submittal. Do not fill out any paperwork beyond letter of intent before meeting. An e-mail will be sent afterwards if approval to submit a grant proposal is given to let applicant know if they should fill out the application.
- October 1 -Formal grant proposal is due to conference office (either via email or standard mail). Incomplete grant requests will NOT be considered. Confirmation of receipt of proposal, as well as request status, will be sent to the address and contact on the application form.
- November 1-December 1-SDFGC will review applications and send recommendations to the BOA Chair and Superintendent for dispersal to the BOA for approval or denial. Please note that the SDFGC Committee may ask for additional information. This request will come by e-mail from gatewayfmcusa@gmail.com.
- January 7 –The Board of Administration will make the final determination and notification of whether a grant has been approved will be sent to applicants.
- January 31-Dispersal of grant awards will occur; grant cycle will be one calendar year unless multi-year awards are made.