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  200 West Morgan St, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27601  ·   (919) 834-7474  ·      

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Missionary Resource Support Team Grants

Apply for an MRST grant

  • 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.

The relationship between congregations requesting assistance and the Missionary Resource Support Team (MRST) can best be described as a covenant. Each congregation and the MRST pledge themselves to mutual expectations. As a committee, we pledge to respond to your application with prayerful and thorough consideration. Our expectations of your congregation are listed below.

MRST offers two grants. The MRST seed grant is a grant of up to $7,500 for new worshiping communities in the Diocese of North Carolina. There are two cycles - spring and fall - and funds are disbursed several months after the grant is approved. The MRST salary support grant supports clergy salaries through the annual diocesan budget. That application is due in the spring and disburses the following calendar year.

MRST Clergy Salary Grants: These grants apply only to clergy salary and benefits, and may not be used for other purposes.

To be eligible for a MRST clergy salary grant, your congregation must:

  • Have an Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) or 150 or fewer.
  • Accept your 2021 diocesan asking and pay it in a timely manner.
  • Have a completed 2020 audit on file in the diocesan office.
  • Offer compensation to your vicar at a level no less than the diocesan minimum. The current annual minimum for a full- time priest living in his/her own housing is $64,614.
  • Have completed a Mutual Ministry Review for 2020 and sent your report to the bishop.
  • Notify MRST of significant financial or clergy changes during the year.

Only applications that are received on time will be considered. Applicants for the MRST Salary Support Grant must be present for interviews on as date to be determined.

Application requirements are as follows:

1) Complete the Common Application, as well as the Budget Worksheet.
2) Attach the financial page of the parochial report for 2020.
3) Attach a copy of your congregation's treasurer’s report for the year ending 2020.
4) Attach a copy of your 2021 budget as approved by your vestry.
5) Identify and explain any undesignated funds remaining from 2020 that total more than $5,000.
6) Identify and explain any endowment funds, both designated and undesignated.

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Maria Gillespie
Chief Financial Officer
919-600-5311 
Becky Poynter
Accountant
919-600-5310 

Maria Gillespie

Chief Financial Officer
919-600-5311 |

Maria joined the diocesan staff in April 2013. Her responsibilities include all aspects of finance for the diocese, including the budget, common trust fund, health and retiree benefits and the general administration of the diocese. She also serves as the treasurer of the North Carolina Church Foundation. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a major in accounting and received her CPA. Shortly after, she attended Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, graduating with her Master’s in Business Administration. Prior to working with the Diocese, she worked in public accounting and as an adjunct professor at Franklin University, where she enjoyed teaching students of all ages.

Maria has been married to Jim, her college sweetheart from OSU, for 25 years. She is the mom of three girls, two of whom are twins, and couldn’t imagine life without them. They are a constant joy. When not at work she enjoys being with her family and friends. Maria loves relaxing at Lake Gaston, kayaking/paddle boarding, reading and walking her goldendoodles, Ginger and Penny.

Becky Poynter

Accountant
919-600-5310 |

Becky joined the diocesan staff as an accountant in the spring of 2022. She will be a value-added member of our finance team and assist our chief financial officer with maintaining internal controls, preparing financial reports, and working on the diocesan audit and convention.

Becky is married to her best friend, Greg, and is the mom to a son and a daughter. In her free time, Becky enjoys reading, beginning new cross stitch projects and attending her daughter’s travel softball games.

Grants

Common Application

Theological Education Grants

Green Grants

International Mission Grants

Lex Mathews Scholarship

MRST Grants

Mission Endowment Grants

Church Foundation Grants

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Episcopal Diocese of
North Carolina

200 West Morgan St, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27601

Tel: (919) 834-7474

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Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
200 West Morgan St, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27601

Contact Us
(919) 834-7474

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