CONGREGATION DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
STATEMENT OF GRANT
By Resolution of the Diocese of Central Florida during the 45th Annual Convention January, 2014, a grant program was established for congregation development within the Diocese as a new resource for growing existing self-supporting congregations and their ministry opportunities. This Statement of Grant is based upon the Grant Resolution and the “Five Strategic Points” contained within the Bishop’s address to the Convention January 25, 2014.
Self-supporting congregations are encouraged to apply for a Congregation Development Grant (1) to meet the needs of continued growth; (2) for new ministries; (3) for existing ministries needing new funding to expand; and, (4) other new parish initiatives. Additionally the grants may be provided for needed facilities, programs and, or staff.
Priorities will be given for (1) grants which strengthen the various congregation relationships within the Diocese; (2) grants designed to raise up new leaders for both clergy and laity; (3) grants to expand or begin outreach ministries to congregation neighbors, communities and regions so that people become attracted to see and hear the good news that God has given us; (4) grants to further participate in the councils of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese as well as ecumenical relationships within parish communities; and, (5) grants designed to revitalize children programs and youth ministry.
The aggregate monetary amount of grants that may be approved and accepted in any given year is currently $50,000. The minimum grant application is $10,000. The maximum grant application is $25,000. While it is intended to fund grant applications aggregating $ 50,000 each year, there is no requirement that any grant application be approved and accepted in any given year. Grants are not to be used in multiple years and must be expended by the next June 30 following the date of grant application approval and acceptance. Subsequent Reports of grant successes shall be provided by the recipient congregation six (6) months and (12) months from the date of the grant approval and acceptance. Additional reports and information may be requested as needed for Diocese reporting purposes.
A special one-time grant of any amount up to $2500 may be approved and accepted for determination of feasibility for a proposed outreach ministry or for needs of neighbors and communities of the congregation designed to establish an outreach ministry that is relevant.
A Special Grant Committee (SGC) of the Congregational Development Commission of the Diocese (CDC) shall be the administrator of the Congregation Development Grants program. The SGC, in its function as administrator, shall have as ex officio members the Bishop and Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese who may attend deliberations at their respective discretions. The SGC shall from time to time make recommendations to the Board of the Diocese regarding approval and acceptance of grant applications which are creative and compelling. Grant applications must be received by the CDC at the Diocese on or before June 30 of any given year for a grant year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. The SGC may make recommendations to the Board (1) in amounts less or more than the amounts requested in the grant application; (2) with or without modifications or alterations of the grant application; and, (3) with or without conditions or restrictions. In making its recommendations to the Board of the Diocese, the SGC shall uniformly apply criteria and rules as determined by the CDC from time to time and made available to parishes as soon as practical. All decisions of the Board of the Diocese are final and non-appealable.
The Chairperson of the SGC, or other designated member of the SGC, may contact a grant applicant for question, clarification or comment in connection with a grant application. The SGC shall work with all congregation applicants so that grant applications may receive a positive recommendation to the Board of the Diocese each year to a maximum of $50,000.
The SGC shall consist of not less than three (3) and no more than five (5) clergy and lay members appointed by the Bishop in consultation with the Chairperson of CDC and the Canon to the Ordinary each year after all parish grant applications have been received. Each appointee of the SGC shall have no obvious relationship with parish applicants to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The SGC may require from time to time as a pre-condition to receipt of funds under an approved and accepted grant application a grant contract that contains (1) appropriate indemnifications; (2) certifications of liability insurance; (3) a commitment to compliance with the contents and intent of the grant application as approved and accepted; and, (4) special conditions or restrictions connected to the grant approval and acceptance.
2015 PARISH DEVELOPMENT GRANT APPLICATION
Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida
SELF-SUPPORTING CONGREGATION:
__________________________________________________________
RECTOR/VICAR/PRIEST-IN-CHARGE:
___________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
PHONE NUMBER: _____________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________
ALTERNATE CONTACT NAME: ________________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER: __________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS: ___________________________________________________________________
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL TITLE: ______________________________________________
SHORT PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION:
ATTACH AS SCHEDULE A ONE PAGE TYPED NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL
SHORT SPECIFIC PROPOSAL OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:
ATTACH OPTIONAL SCHEDULE B ONE PAGE TYPED NARRATIVE PROPOSAL OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
ATTACH AS SCHEDULE C ONE PAGE TYPED NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF CONFORMITY WITH PARISH DEVELOPMENT GRANTS STATEMENT OF GRANT
LIST THE BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSAL TO THE PARISH AND ITS COMMUNITY:
ATTACH AS SCHEDULE D SPECIFIC PROCEDURES AND MEASUREMENTS OF OUTCOMES FOR THE PROPOSAL
LIST OTHER FUNDS THAT WILL BE USED FOR THE PROPOSAL FROM THE PARISH OR FROM OTHER SOURCES (INCLUDE THE OTHER SOURCE NAME, IF APPLICABLE):
HOW WILL THE PROPOSAL BE FUNDED IN FUTURE YEARS (IF APPLICABLE)
ATTACH AS SCHEDULE F DETAILED BUDGET (AGGREGATE ITEMS OF $50 OR LESS NOT TO EXCEED IN TOTAL $500)
On behalf of (name parish) __________________ in connection with this grant application, (name of parish) _________________ agrees to all terms and conditions of the Parish Development Grant Statement of Grant and all applicable Canons and policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.
Signed this ______ day of ___________________, 2014.
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PLEASE SUBMIT SIGNED APPLICATION AND ALL APPLICABLE SCHEDULES AS A PDF FILE TO:
mlang@cfdiocese.org AND fr.rob@stgabs.org
THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION.