Mission & Ministry Grants

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Overview

Supporting Disciples Programs for Older Adults or At-Risk Youth

Serving as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)’s health and social service general ministry, the National Benevolent Association partners with Disciples-related ministries, regions, and local congregations to create communities of compassion and care. NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants program utilizes purpose-restricted funds to provide grant funding for projects serving older adults and educating youth and young adults. These communities have been served by NBA’s ministry since our founding in 1887 and are communities that we continue to support and accompany.

Image: Woodhaven, NBA Mission & Ministry Grantee


How to Apply

Applications are open February 21, 2024-March 27, 2024. 

All applications must be submitted through the online form — no hard copies will be considered.

Apply Here

 

To complete the application, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Contact information for the congregation, ministry/project, and key personnel
  • A summary of the ministry’s mission and goals that shows how your project meets the purpose restrictions (adults age 50+ or disenfranchised youth ages 10–25)
  • The amount you are requesting, from $1,000 – $20,000+
  • A detailed financial summary of your ministry/project, possibly including financial/banking documentation.
  • Current Form W-9 [PDF]
  • Logo file

The application has a ‘save’ function; you may begin your application early and return to complete it before the deadline.

We highly recommend reading the “Additional Information & FAQ” below. If you have additional questions not resolved by the FAQ, please contact the NBA Grants Coordinator by email at Grants@NBAcares.org.

Ready to apply? Here are a few items that might help you with your application:

Additional Information & FAQ

Purpose-Restricted Funds

NBA Mission & Ministry Grants are ‘purpose-restricted funds’ for two types of programs:

  • “Educational Purposes for At-Risk Children and Youth” between the ages of 10-25 years.
  • “Older Adult Ministries” serving those who are 50 years or older.

Due to the purpose-restriction of these funds, grant applications must clearly demonstrate their funding needs as being related to older adults or at-risk youth in order to be approved.

The NBA defines “Educational Purposes” as any formal or informal opportunity for learning that is presented as an intentional goal or outcome of the project. Examples of previously funded educational purposes include: tutoring programs; leadership development workshops; focused learning and discussion groups; mentorship programs. “Educational Purposes” do not include prerequisites to education, such as school supplies or hunger management initiatives unless clearly connected to a projected learning component as explained above.

The term purpose-restricted funds means that the donors who gave funds to the National Benevolent Association asked us to use their money in a specific way. Under U.S. law, If a donor restricts the use of their funds to a certain purpose, the nonprofit must honor that request. Because of these donor requests, NBA is obligated to provide Mission & Ministry grants to only projects that serve adults ages 50+ or youth and young adults aged 10-25.

Grant Eligibility Details

Mission & Ministry Grants are available for congregations, programs, and ministries affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada.

  • American projects must have a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status through the church and/or the state in which the ministry operates.
  • Canadian projects must be registered charities through the CRA.
  • Applications not affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be rejected.
  • Applications outside the United States and Canada will be rejected.

Funding Amounts

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount of funding they feel is needed between $1,000 – $20,000. Please be advised that the committee may not award the full amount requested. The amount of funding a successful application will receive is based on the project’s sustainability, lifecycle, and impact.

A Grant Committee consisting of NBA staff and trustees will review all applications and make funding decisions. The application review process consists of three stages:

  1. Eligibility review by the NBA Grants Coordinator.
  2. Awards are determined by the Grants Committee. The Committee consists of two NBA staff persons, including the Grants Coordinator, and two members of the NBA Board of Trustees.
  3. NBA Board of Trustees approves all final grants at the November board meeting.

Important Dates

Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2023 cycle from August 16, 2023, through September 26, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All applicants will be notified of their funding decision approximately five weeks after the closing date via email and mailed letters. Funding will be allocated approximately ten weeks after the closing date. Accepted grantees will be required to complete an impact report in the following months, including sharing a story about their ministry with NBA for promotional purposes.

My organization received a Mission & Ministry grant last year, can we apply again?

All organizations and ministries that meet the funding and eligibility requirements may be funded once per calendar year. Eligibility resumes January 1st of the next calendar year. *All funding decisions are at the discretion of the Grants Committee.

My previous grant application was denied; can I re-apply in the next application period?

Yes, all denied applicants who meet eligibility and funding criteria may re-apply for funding in the next application period. Please review all available resources and requirements for the NBA Mission & Ministry Grants Program to ensure that your project/ministry is eligible for funding.

What are the requirements for organizations awarded a grant?

Organizations who receive a Mission & Ministry Grant will be required to provide an Impact Report. The NBA will provide you with an Impact Report form online. When grants are awarded, each grantee must agree to fully complete this form.

Additionally, each grantee is required to provide a communication piece (such as a story/article, video, or photo album) about your project. These stories will be featured on NBA’s website and social channels and will help foster learning for the entire church about effective health and social service ministries. This communication piece will also help your organization amplify the success and impact of the work you are doing.

What are the areas that NBA grants will NOT support?

  • Individuals
  • Endowments
  • Capital improvements (i.e. construction, remodeling, building expansion)
  • Purchase requests (i.e. equipment or goods purchased without clearly articulated programmatic impact or expansion)
  • National ceremonies, memorials, conferences, fundraising dinners, testimonials, or other similar events
  • Elected officials
  • Projects outside of the United States and Canada

Get to Know Our Grantees

See All Grantees

Urban Sanctuary (Disciples of Christ)

San Jose, CA— Urban Sanctuary is a boldly progressive spiritual community rooted in the Christian tradition.

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Thomas Campbell Apartments

Washington, PA—Thomas Campbell Apartments provide safe, affordable housing for low-and moderate-income elderly individuals and handicapped, mobility impaired and disabled adults.

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Southside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Kokomo, IN— South Side Christian Church has a mission to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.

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Root Cause Collective

Garner, NC—The Root Cause Collective exists to build community as a means of preventative health care, to create an ecology of wellness for the whole being.

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Harmony Grows

North Canton, OH—Harmony Grows is a new non-profit, that was formed from Harmony Springs Christian Church. With a building that is situated on nine acres of farmland HG has dedicate a large portion of it to sustainable food production.

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Glowing Doves Educational Outreach Program

San Benito, TX—Glowing Doves started in 2015. It provides health and social service resources to their community.

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Florence Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Florence, KY—Florence Christian Church has been a "Servant Church" to community needs since 1831.

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First Christian Church, Greenville

Greenville, SC—A 101 year old Disciples congregation, located in the suburbs of Greenville, South Carolina.

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First Christian Church, Monongahela

Monongahela, PA—FCC(DOC) is a loving, supportive church family that encourages others to discover God's love through worship services. FCC partners with DMF, Week of Compassion, Church WorldService, and local ministries.

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The Community Christian Church of Kansas City (Disciples of Christ)

Kansas City, MO—Community Christian Church is called to grow as an inclusive community of independent, thinking Christians, willing to be challenged by the Gospel and by each other.

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Central Christian Church of Dade County

Coral Gables, FL—CCC was founded in 1927 a church with a fully bilingual and multicultural ministry.

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The Gathering Experience

Dallas, TX—The Gathering exists to welcome people into community to follow Jesus, partner in ministry to transform our lives together, and to go create an equitable world.

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Joyful Presbyterian Church

Las Vegas, NV—Joyful Presbyterian is a Korean church based in Las Vegas.

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McCarty Memorial Christian Church

Los Angeles, CA— Connecting Community, Spirit and Social Change since 1931.

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International Love Ministries Inc.

Tulsa, OK— International Love Ministries seeks to support the refugee community in Oklahoma.

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First Christian Church, Salem

Salem, OR— Founded in 1855, the congregation works to serve the community in a variety of ways.

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First Christian Church, Concord

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First Christian Church, Brownsville

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Fifth Christian Church

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Yedidyah Christian Church

Norwalk, CA—Providing music education and the chance for youth to discover musical gifts and a love for the arts.

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Yale Avenue Christian Church

Tulsa, OK— Facilitating a mentorship and education discussion group for those at-risk immigrant youth and children in foster care.

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Walking on Water Christian Church

Claremont, CA— Helping individuals learn compassion, understanding, and communication through worship and education

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Unleashing Potential

St. Louis, MO— Advancing youth knowledge and interest in STEM career opportunities in UP's Out-of-School Time (OST) programs.

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The Keep It Together Project

Houston, TX— Improving access and comprehension of educational materials for students with IEP's

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Peniel Ministries

Gresham, OR—Social and emotional learning workshop to equip​ youth with tools to become self-managing in employment, life, and relationships.

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New Vision Christian Church

Fort Worth, TX— Providing opportunities for young ladies to learn and enhance life skills and gain a positive self-image.

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Global Arts and Theology Experience

Austin, TX— Educating girls age 11-17 about Black women's history and literature and womanist theory and theology.

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First Christian Church McAllen

McAllen, TX— Providing healthy activities for families to learn cooking and life skills while focusing on mental health education

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Casa De Oracion de Fullerton

Fullerton, CA— Providing education focused on the 4 Pillars of Wellness: Spiritual, Mental, Emotional, and Physical to youth ages 12-25.

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Camp Sunflower Inc.

Witchita, KS—Creating places of safety for youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities where each person is celebrated.

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Stories from our Grantees

NBA Grants More Than $170,000 to Fall 2023 Mission & Ministry Grantees

We are pleased to announce our Fall 2023 Mission & Ministry Grant recipients!

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Announcing the Spring 2023 Mission & Ministry Grantees

Meet our newest group of Mission & Ministry Grantees.

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A Place to Belong: Indiana Congregation Creates Community Events for Older Adults

When Countryside Christian Church realized the older adults in their congregation were feeling particularly isolated, they turned to NBA for support.

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How One Congregation Created a Network of Compassionate Older Adults

In 2020, Beloved Christian Church began its Compassion Practice+ program, which teaches the Compassion Practice (CP) to adults over 50.

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Unleashing the Potential of Careers in STEM for St. Louis Youth

The STEM field is notoriously homogenous. To combat this, Mission & Ministry Grantee Unleashing Potential developed Experience STEM.

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Mission & Ministry Grant Supports Those in Addiction Recovery

The wake up call that lead to a ministry that supports those recovering from addition.

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First Christian Church Texas City Invites a Blue Theology Mission Station to Engage Children

First Christian Church in Texas City, Texas used their Mission & Ministry grant to partner with Blue Theology to teach youth in the Galveston Bay area the importance of ‘being blue’ and taking care of the ocean and natural water sources in their community.

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Announcing the Fall 2022 Mission & Ministry Grantees

Meet our newest group of Mission & Ministry Grantees. These ministries represent 22 different Disciples regions and will serve a multitude of generations in topics of mental health, entrepreneurship, and creative endeavors.

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Impacting the Future by Growing Leaders Through Adventure and Service

Over the last two years FCC Princeton has taken a group of adolescents across the country and helped them experience their home state of Kentucky in new and exciting ways!

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Staying Connected: Kansas Christian Home Uses Technology to Help Older Adults Socialize During Pandemic

For 60 years, Kansas Christian Home has provided social and health services to meet the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of seniors. They continue to do this by using new technologies like the iN2L.

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Juliette Fowler’s Ebby House Provides a Place for Young Women to Heal and Gain Independence

NBA’s Mission & Ministry grants support young women like Amy who was a homeless teen taken in by Juliette Fowler’s Ebby House and has blossomed ever since.

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NBA Announces Spring 2022 Mission & Ministry Grants

We are pleased to announce our Spring 2022 Mission & Ministry Grantees! Our grant program granted a total of $203,000 to 28 Disciples projects working with older adults, children, and youth.

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Mission & Ministry Grants Help Young Adults Gain Life Skills

Mission & Ministry Grants help support young adults like Tonya, who earned her driver’s license and secured a scholarship for college with support from NBA grantee Child Saving Institute and their Independent Living Skills program.

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Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America Presents in the General Assembly Virtual Exhibit Hall

The Older Adult Ministries of Mid-America used their Mission & Ministry Grant to intentionally expand their work from advocacy to action.

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Mission & Ministry Grants Provide Support for Spiritual Deepening and Emotional Care

Templo Cristiano Central has supported clergy interested in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) since 2019. Receiving a Mission & Ministry Grant last year, allowed their CPE program to partner with a local senior housing facility in impactful ways.

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California Church Brings Books, Food and Teaches Life Skills to Foster Children

The BLEND Church Family knew the mental toll the pandemic was having on the children in their community, so they used their Mission & Ministry Grant to provide some levity and life skills.

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NBA Announces Fall 2021 Mission & Ministry Grantees

We are excited to announce our Fall 2021 Mission & Ministry Grantees! This program granted a total of $185,500 to 35 Disciples projects working with older adults, children, and youth.

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Danville Christian Church Continues Comfort Food Ministry During Pandemic

Before the pandemic, Danville Christian Church partnered with the local Ronald McDonald House in Danville, IN to provide comfort to families. Thanks to a COVID-19 NBA Response Grant, they were able to continue this partnership.

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Showing Students What’s Possible

Showing Students What’s Possible: KidZClub Provides Bilingual Tutoring and Support for College

KidzClub at West Street Church in Tipton, Indiana shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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Offering Fresh Food, Conversation and Smiles During Tumultuous Times

First Christian Church in Princeton, Kentucky used their COVID-19 Mission & Ministry grant to support a program that touched their entire community and spanned multiple generations.

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Supporting Essential Employees Through the COVID-19 NBA Response Grant

When the city of Columbia, Missouri began to shut down due to COVID-19, Woodhaven sprung into action, finding ways to support their essential employees who needed extra support during this unprecedented year. They used a COVID-19 NBA Response Grant to help.

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All People’s College Corner Program Successfully Helps Teens Afford College

All People's Community Center shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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Texas Church Uses Mission & Ministry Grant to Design an Inclusive Playground

Park Place Christian Church shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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How NBA’s Mission & Ministry Grants Helped Children Enjoy their Summer

Cleveland Christian Home shares how receiving a 2019-20 Mission & Ministry grant impacted their ministry.

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staff

Meet the Mission & Ministry Grants Team

Rev. Monica Wedlock Kilpatrick

VICE PRESIDENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Kara Whitehouse

OPERATIONS & GRANTS MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR