Community Ministries Fund
The Community Ministries Fund is a permanent endowment created by the Worcester Area Mission Society, United Church of Christ and Worcester Area United Methodists through gifts to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. Its purpose is to support social ministries in Worcester that connect congregations to their neighborhoods more deeply, including programs that entail partnerships with other non-profit organizations.
In addition to gifts to the endowment, donors are encouraged to use the Fund to coordinate and direct their annual giving to social ministry programs.
An advisory committee appointed by institutional donors has been established to review proposals and recommend grants from the Fund.
Areas of Interest
Include but are not limited to:
- Programs that foster social interactions
- Tutoring and mentoring
- English as a Second Language classes (ESL)
- Music and art enrichment
- After-school programs designed to enhance academic and social skills
- Job training
- Gang intervention
- Urban gardening
- Community organizing and public advocacy
Eligibility
The Community Ministries Fund welcomes applications from Worcester-based congregations or organizations—of any faith tradition—that sponsor or plan to sponsor social ministries to improve the lives of neighborhood residents. Committed to values and aspirations that are shared by the world’s religions, the Fund does not support programs that advance a sectarian agenda. Nor does it support congregations, organizations or programs that discriminate or perpetuate demeaning stereotypes based on gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, religion, economic condition, or physical disability.
Scope and Limitations
Many individuals and families in Worcester’s neighborhoods, especially newcomers, turn to local congregations for help in addressing social challenges. The Community Ministries Fund is intended to provide supplementary financial support for existing social ministries sponsored by congregations or other grassroots religious organizations, and to provide seed funding for congregations planning new programs. \
Grant requests range from $500 - $3,000.
Deadline
Fall 2012 - Please check back for further updates.
Note: If a deadline falls on a weekend or public holiday, proposals are due the following business day at 5:00 p.m.
Pam Kane
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
370 Main Street, Suite 650
Worcester, MA 01608-1738
Telephone: (508) 755-0980
Contact: Pam Kane