Endowment Grant Application Deadline Approaching!

The first of three application periods for Endowment grants for the 2023-2024 church year is open, and our first application deadline is May 31. There is a lot new this year as a result of recommendations from the Endowment Task Force, but the key ideas behind how applications are evaluated remain similar to the past.  To find out what’s new and how to apply, please read on!

Allocations by Purpose.  Per the Task Force Recommendations, distributions will be allocated approximately as follows: 35% to Congregational Support (projects and expenditures supporting our congregation and buildings and grounds), 40% to Community Projects (a variety of projects that help us fulfill our mission by supporting the wider community) and 25% to Community Partners (regular, repeatable smaller grants to support long standing partners of UCE). Using last year’s grant total of $75,000 as an example, that means approximately $26,000 for Congregational Support, $30,000 for Community Projects and $19,000 for Community Partners.

New Application Forms.  The application form has been altered slightly for Congregational Support and Community Projects. If your group has already submitted an application on the old form for May 31 consideration, it does not need to be redone on the new form.

Community Partners.  For the first time, we will have this special allocation dedicated to sustaining relationships with groups that have had a relationship with UCE for at least 3 years.  Selection of partners and recommended grant amounts (up to $3,000 per organization) will be made by the Social Justice Council, with approval by both the Endowment Trustees and the Board of Trustees. For the 2023-2024 church year, SJC will have an initial discussion of this process at a special meeting on May 23.  There will be only one application opportunity for Community Partners each year and this year’s deadline is June 30. Applications for Community Partners will have a new, simplified form, and the application form will be made available after the May 23rd meeting.

3 Grants in 5 Years Limitation Dropped.  Our previous policy of limiting the number of grants to an outside organization to no more than 3 grants in 5 years has been discontinued. We hope to sustain ongoing relationships with Community Partner grants.  We also will give special consideration to new applicants with our Community Project grants.