1. Mini-grant proposals for New Seeds funds of $5000 or less will be considered by the New Faith Communities Grant Processing Team (GPT) at meetings (phone, e-mail or face-to-face) throughout the year. Funds for mini-grants will be available within 30 days of team approval. To be considered, your application for New Seeds Funding must be completed, signed by lead planter and his/her District Superintendent and returned to the office of the Director of New Faith Communities no later than 30 days prior to next scheduled (GPT) meeting.
2. Substantial grant proposals for New Seeds funds in excess of $5,000 will be considered twice a year. Proposals in excess of $5,000 are due February 1st and September 1st. Funds for these grants will be available beginning July 1st and January 1st. To be considered, your application for New Seeds Funding must be completed, signed by lead planter and his/her District Superintendent and returned to the office of the Director of New Faith Communities by February 1st or September 1st. Applications received after these dates will be considered six months later.
3. Applications will be reviewed and considered by the New Faith Community Grant Processing Team. The Grant Processing Team may schedule an interview with lead planter and her/his team members for further exploration, conversation and follow-up questions. These conversations could be via phone, video chat, or in person. Additional information may also be requested in writing.
4. Decisions will be communicated briefly by e-mail immediately following the meeting of the Grant Processing Team, and then a more detailed follow-up letter will follow. Payment plans will be negotiated at that time, and will be available twice a year, quarterly, or monthly.
5. Covenant agreements, outlining payment plans and mutual expectations (including evaluation and reporting expectations), will be signed by New Faith Communities Grant Processing Team and the leadership of the planting team.
6. Funds will be disbursed by the conference treasurer according to conference policies, and in alignment with the negotiated covenant.
7. All applications are for a single year of funding. In other words, grants are given one year at a time. Any subsequent grants will be considered on the basis of a new application in following years, and clear reporting on progress meeting intended goals is expected. The intention of Upper New York Conference is to provide sufficient funding to give new faith communities every opportunity to thrive. However, our goal is for every faith community to be self-sustaining as soon as possible. Our funds are limited, and our intention is to plant 100 new faith communities in the next few years. Because of this, each application should clearly delineate plans for financial sustainability. Your application will be stronger if the Grant Processing Team sees that you have been gathering other partners and other funding sources.
8. Depending on the strategy used in planting, different funding patterns can be expected. For instance, a team with a clear vision, strategy and a strong launch team already in place might apply for a larger sum in year one, and then hope for decreasing grant support in subsequent years...as long as goals are being met, disciples are being made, and growth is seen. Other strategies might call for a small grant in the first year while a vision is taking shape and a leadership team is grown, and then a larger grant in year two when a launch is planned.
9. Priority will be given to applications for funding that supports plans that align well with the core values of our Annual Conference. These can be found on the following page:
