The Parish Development Grant Program, established at the 45th Annual Diocesan Convention in 2014, encourages self-supporting congregations to apply for a Congregational Development Grant:

(1) To meet the needs of continuing growth;
(2) For new ministries;
(3) For existing ministries needing new funding to expand; and
(4) for other new parish initiatives.

Additionally, the grants may be provided for needed facilities, programs, and or staff. A Statement of Grant, a Grant Application Form and a Parish Development Grant Funding Agreement included in this issue.

1.

CONGREGATION DEVELOPMENT GRANT
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 bot 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.

2.

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 A 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 ___________________, 2015.
___________________________

PLEASE SUBMIT SIGNED APPLICATION AND ALL APPLICABLE SCHEDULES AS A PDF FILE TO: cmuldoon@cfdiocese.org AND fr.rob@stgabs.org 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION.

3.

PARISH DEVELOPMENT GRANT FUNDING AGREEMENT
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

(Name of Parish)__________________________________ (Grantee), in consideration for the funding of a Parish Development Grant (PDG), Grantee hereby agrees to utilize all PDG funds as described in the Grantee’s PDG Application as approved and accepted. Further Grantee agrees to comply (1) with all applicable laws; (2) Canons and policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and the Episcopal Church; and (3) the provisions of the PDG Statement of Grant for (year)_____, including, but not limited to, the required reporting requirements. The Grantee agrees to maintain at all times appropriate liability insurance in accordance with the policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida.

Additionally the Grantee acknowledges that the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, the members of its Board, the Congregational Development Commission and the Special Grant Committee shall not be liable to the Grantee for any claims connected to the PDG and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, the members of the Congregational Development Commission, the Special Grant Committee and Board of the Diocese for any and all losses, claims, expenses and damages arising out of, resulting from or in connection with any actions taken or not taken in connection with the PDG.

The Grantee agrees to the following restrictions and conditions in connection with the PDG:

(“None”, if that be the case)

This Agreement is subject to the Canons and policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and the laws of the State of Florida, as applicable.

(Name of Parish) __________________
By: ______________________________
(Priest)
By: ______________________________
(Senior Warden)

Special Grant Committee
By: _______________________________
Its: Chairperson