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.
Building repairs and updates
North Carolina Episcopal Church Foundation Grants can be used for the erection of needed church buildings or acquisition of church property, or capital repairs and renovations.
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.
Mission Endowment Grants have been used to repurpose church-owned buildings for collaborative mission projects.
Continuing education
Continuing Theological Education Grants are available to help clergy and laity participate in theological education programs.
The Lex Mathews Scholarship for Women 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.
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. Contact Maria Gillespie, director of administration and finance, for information about the Seminarian Assistance Fund. Contact the Trustees of the Diocese for information about the Francis J. Murdoch Memorial Society
Fund a new collaborative mission project
Mission Endowment Grants support efforts to establish the Episcopal presence of Christ in communities in ways that brings the community to see Christ's presence among them.
Seed funds are available to start qualifying outreach programs at congregations through the Chartered Committee on Grants Parish Grants program.
Both of these grants use the Common Application.
Fund a new worshiping community
The Missionary Resource Support Team (MRST) offers a seed grant of up to $7,500 for new worshiping communities.
Mission Endowment Grants have been used to support collaborative new worshiping communities.
Implement a green initiative
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.
Fund an international mission project
International Mission Grants support international missions that will contribute to the sustainability of the community served, with the prospect for self-sufficiency being particularly encouraged.
Pay clergy salary
The Missionary Resource Support Team (MRST) offers a clergy salary support grant.
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.
- Support Materials
- Common Application Reference Form | editable Word version: A preview of the Common Application. Also contains information about attachments you will need to include with your application, depending on the program(s) from which you are requesting funding.
- Budget worksheet (formulas embedded)
- 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: Alf Badgett, 704-905-8166, Committee on Grants chair
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.
- 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: the Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough and Dora Mbuwayesango, Chartered Committee on Global Mission co-chairs
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lex Mathews Scholarship Application
- Contact: Flo Sessoms, Diocesan ECW president
MISSIONARY RESOURCE SUPPORT TEAM (MRST) GRANTS
from the Missionary Resource Support Team
MRST offers clergy salary support grants for the following calendar year.
- Common Application - 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)
- Deadline: May 1, annually
- Please contact the Rev. Ginny Wilder, MRST chair, 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 are available; five grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 are awarded each year.
- Common Application - 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)
- Deadline: May 1 and November 30, annually
- Contact: The Rev. Robert Black, Mission Endowment chair
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
- Contact: Diocesan House, 919-834-7474
Learn more. *Note: No additional applications will be accepted for 2024, as all funds for this year have been awarded.
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
- Deadline: May 1, annually
- Contact: Alf Badgett, 704-905-8166, Committee on Grants chair
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 of July. 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
Chief Financial Officer
Accountant
