Grants & Scholarships

Below is a brief overview of grants available through the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina with links to applications, additional information and selection committee contacts.

[Learn about grant-writing with this handy beginner's guide by the Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough.]

Not sure which grants might fund your project? Let us help.

COMMON APPLICATION

Grants covered by the common application produced by the Mission Funding Consortium include the Mission Endowment Grant, the Mission Resource Support Team (MRST) seed and salary support grants, the parish grants and the North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation (NCECF) Grants. The benefit to filling out the common application is its submission to all four of these granting boards, all of which are looking to disburse their funding to an expanded pool of applicants. Even if you believe your project only qualifies for one type of funding, the Mission Funding Consortium might be able to help you attain funding from sources you hadn't considered.

• Common Application: This is the application you should submit to the Diocese. It is a Wufoo form, and must be completed in one sitting. So you will want to have at hand all address and contact information when you begin. To respond to the open-ended questions, it will be easiest for you to download and use the Common Application Reference Form to craft your responses to the open-ended questions, so that you and any reviewers can edit as needed and ensure that the word count limits are met. THEN copy and paste your responses into the Wufoo Common Application.

• Support Materials
  • Common Application Reference Form | editable Word version: This is the form you'll use to craft your responses to the short-answer questions in the Common Application, then copy and paste those responses in the Wufoo document when you are ready to submit your application. This form also contains information about attachments you will need to include with your application, depending on the program from which you are requesting funding.

• Budget worksheet (formulas embedded)

• Sample vestry resolution | editable Word version

• Contact: The Rev. Robert Black

• Individual grant deadlines apply. Please read the grant application carefully.

CONTINUING THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION GRANTS FOR CLERGY & LAITY

Diocesan funds are available to help clergy and laity participate in theological education programs. These grants are administered by the Chartered Committee on Grants and are considered based on the following provisions: available money, event appropriateness, and application timeliness and thoroughness.

• Continuing Theological Education Grant Application
• Contact: Beth Morphis, Committee on Grants chair, 336-971-0769

GLOBAL MISSION GRANTS

Awarded through the Chartered Committee for Global Missions to support international missions that will contribute to the sustainability of the community served, with the prospect for self-sufficiency being particularly encouraged.

Learn more.

• Stay tuned for an updated application and guidelines for the 2020 grant cycle.
• We welcome grant requests ranging from $1000 - $5000.
• Deadline: April 1 and October 1, annually
• Contact: Leon Spencer, Chartered Committee on Global Mission chair

GREEN GRANTS: NC EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOUNDATION

Green Grants are awarded to churches within the diocese looking to make facility improvements to reduce the consumption of energy or other natural resources required to operate church facilities.

Learn more.

• Green Grants Application
• Deadline: February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1, annually
• Contact: The Rev. Brad Mullis, chair of the North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation

GREEN GRANTS: CHARTERED COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MINISTRY

The North Carolina Diocesan Environmental Ministry Committee currently has green grants in the amounts of $250 and $500 available to assist congregations in our Diocese interested in starting an environmental ministry program. Due to the strains on congregational resources caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, preference will be given to small and low income congregations.

Learn more.

• Deadline: December 31, annually, or until funds are depleted
• Contact: David McDuffie, chair, Environmental Ministry Committee

LEX MATHEWS SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN

A scholarship which provides resources for women seeking specialized training in vocational or technical skills, a degree or certification below the masters or doctorate level, and/or continuing education courses for upgrading job skills. This scholarship is overseen by the Episcopal Church Women's Lex Matthew's Scholarship Committee.

Learn more.

• Lex Mathews Scholarship Application
• Contact: Barbara Longmire, Diocesan ECW president

MISSIONARY RESOURCE SUPPORT TEAM (MRST) GRANTS

from the Missionary Resource Support Team

MRST offers two grants: a clergy salary support grant for the following calendar year and a seed grant of up to $7,500 for new worshiping communities that disburses several months after the grant is approved.

Learn more.

• Common Application - The application must be filled out in one setting. Please consult the reference form to prepare before beginning the application. (Common Application Reference Form)
• Budget worksheet (formulas embedded)
• Sample vestry resolution (editable Word version)
• Spring cycle applications (salary support) are due by May 16, 2021.
• Fall cycle applications (seed grant only) are due by October 1, 2021.
• Please contact the Rev. Daniel Reeves or the Rev. Bonnie Duckworth with any questions.

MISSION ENDOWMENT GRANTS

A grant supporting efforts to establish the Episcopal presence of Christ in communities in ways that brings the community to see Christ's presence among them. One and two-year grants available; five grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 awarded each year.

Learn more.

• Common Application - The application must be filled out in one setting. Please consult the reference form to prepare before beginning the application. (Common Application Reference Form)
• Budget worksheet (formulas embedded)
• Sample vestry resolution (editable Word version)
• The spring application deadline is May 16, 2021, and the fall application deadline is November 30, annually.
• Contact: The Rev. Robert Black, Mission Endowment chair, 704-633-3221

NORTH CAROLINA EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOUNDATION

The North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation, Inc., was established in 1955 for the purpose of aiding the expansion of the Church in the Diocese of North Carolina. An initial capital funds campaign raised over $300,000 to start this fund, which has grown over the years through additional gifts and investment income.

The Foundation has given over $3,000,000 in grants and loans since its beginning. The funds may be used for:

• The erection of needed church buildings or acquisition of church property.
• Capital repairs and renovations.
• Guidelines
• Apply with the Common Application

The NCECF also funds mission and historic church grants that provide assistance up to $10,000 to mission or historic congregations. Grants are typically based on need and are not repayable.

• Mission Church Grant Guidelines & Application
• Historic Church Grant Guidelines & Application
• Contact: Diocesan House, 919-834-7474

Learn more.

PARISH GRANTS FOR NEW PROGRAMS

Seed funds are available to start qualifying outreach programs at congregations through the Chartered Committee on Grants Parish Grants program.

• Common Application - The application must be filled out in one setting. Please consult the reference form to prepare before beginning the application. (Common Application Reference Form)
• Budget worksheet (formulas embedded)
• Sample vestry resolution | editable Word version
• Contact: Beth Morphis, Committee on Grants chair, 336-971-0769

SEMINARIAN SCHOLARSHIPS

Seminarian assistance is provided on a yearly basis for seminarians through the Seminarian Assistance Fund and the Trustees of the Francis J. Murdoch Memorial Society. Applications are due annually by May 31. Funds will be distributed by the end June. Funds are typically distributed directly to the seminary of your choice.

Apply for a seminarian support grant

• Contact: Maria Gillespie, Chief Financial Officer for information about the Seminarian Assistance Fund.

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

The Chartered Committee for Youth (CCY) provides opportunity for scholarship assistance for youth events in two categories: requests for events under $200 and another for larger requests (which require a more detailed application process).

• Youth Scholarship Application
• Contact: Lisa Aycock, Diocesan Youth Missioner, 919-834-7474