Scholarships and Grants

Leadership Training Scholarships

Leadership development and training for additional skills are critical for pastors and key lay leaders to help small, rural and urban congregations be most effective in their ministries. The Small Church and Community Ministry Office is linked with a number of training networks and seminaries that can help provide needed skills assessment. In addition, there are scholarships to help clergy and laity to attend workshops, conferences and training events that you think will be relevant to your ministry.

In the area of Leadership Development, the Small Church and Community Ministry Office provides the following resources:

Scholarships for Training Events
The Small Church and Community Ministry Office provides scholarships up to $200 for people to attend training events.

• PDF Application
• MS-Word Application
• W-9 Tax Form

Scholarships for Community Organizing Training
The Small Church and Community Ministry Office, in partnership with the Presbyterian Hunger Program provides scholarships up to $500 to help Presbyterians attend training events run by the national networks of community organizing (such as IAF, PICO, DART and Gamaliel Foundation).

• PDF Application
• MS-Word Application
• W-9 Tax Form

Scholarship applications are accepted throughout the year. All applications must include a current W-9 form.

Congregation-based Community Organizing Grants

Congregational Based Community Organizing (CBCO) is a strategy for rebuilding communities, revitalizing congregations and developing individuals into effective leaders and change agents. A CBCO is generally a coalition of congregations (usually interfaith in nature), service providers and community groups whose common mission is to listen to community residents, identify critical issues and respond in strategic ways that affect the quality of life of the community.

The Presbyterian Church has been a catalyst in the evolution of this movement since its inception in the 1950s. The denomination has been one of the major funders nationally and hundreds of congregations have been involved at the grassroots level.

Many CBCOs are related to national training networks (such as IAF, DART, PICO and Gamaliel) or they may be more independent in nature and training. What they share is a commitment that acting in the public arena from a faith perspective is critical in holding institutions accountable for building a just society.

CBCO GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2010 Funding ARE DUE by June 1, 2010.

The Presbyterian Hunger Program Committee has changed its funding cycle for 2010.  Attached to the application is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) proposal for 2010 funds grant application budget form. Grant awards will be made by the Presbyterian Hunger Program Committee in Fall 2010.

If you have any questions about the grant application, please contact the Small Church and Community Ministry Office at (888) 728-7228 x5244 or contact us by email.

CBCO Start Up Grants
These grants fund new broad-based community organizations that are less than three years old. These grants are committed for one year only, but the organization is eligible to apply for two subsequent years. In other words, an organization can receive a grant for a maximum of three years. The grants sum range generally from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the demonstrated need.

CBCO Housing Grants
These funds support the advocacy work of CBCOs in the areas of homelessness and affordable housing. These grants are committed for one year only, but the organization is eligible to apply for two subsequent years. In other words, an organization can receive a grant for a maximum of five years. The grants sum range generally from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the demonstrated need.

• PDF Application
• MS-Word Application
• W-9 Tax Form

Submitting your application

By mail: Phil Tom
Small Church and Community Ministry Office
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon Street, Room 2065
Louisville, KY 40202-1396
(888) 728-7228 x5845

By email: Applications may be sent via email to Eva Slayton in MS-Word or PDF format, but you will still have to mail in six copies of your application.

Continuing Education

Grants awarded will help pastors attend training events that will enable them to serve the church community. Pastors serving congregations of 150 members or fewer may apply for funds to assist with the Doctor of Ministry degree. These funds are available for the first three years of study. Read more about continuing education grants.

Grants For Small Churches Located In Texas

The New Braunfels Presbyterian Church session, responding to the many needs of small churches, created and funded an outreach program. Qualifying churches in Texas can apply. The grants will be awarded to small churches for a variety of requests to include educational or youth programs, outreach projects, facilities, music and pastor study grants or other needs. Read more about grants for small churches in Texas.

Boudinot Library Fund

Provides useful books to small churches (150 members or fewer) that have limited resources to obtain books. The books are to be selected by pastors for their use, but as the property of the church will remain with the church. Contact Laura Bryan at (888) 728-7228 x5735 for more details about the award.

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