Grant Opportunities
Living well is a personal journey that presents each of us with unique opportunities to steward our gifts in all dimensions of our lives. The following grants are to assist you in your journey.
Gifts of Grace Grants for 2024
The Gifts of Grace program has grants that seek to help with the financial wellbeing of rostered ministers within SW MN Synod.
Before Applying:
- Read grant eligibility, guidelines, and requirements in each grant application.
Grants Available:
- Grant for Reduction of Educational Loans - Opening 5/13/2024
- Grants for Retirement Readiness - Opening 5/13/2024
- Grant for Medical Expenses
- Renewal in Ministry Grant: Supply Pastor Payment - Opening 5/13/2024
These grants are made available through generous gifts to our Gifts of Grace: Toward Financial Wellbeing program and funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. If you have questions, please contact Pr. Andrew Hermodson-Olsen, 507-375-3472, [email protected].
Congregational Mission Grants
The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Endowment Fund wants to partner with you in supporting the mission of the Church in your local community in 2024-2025.
This is the sixth year for Congregational Mission Grants. In the last five years, a total of $87,552 has been awarded throughout the SWMN Synod. This year, there is $40,750 available. Funded projects must be completed, with a final report received by November 30, 2025.
The Fund Committee is looking for project proposals in the following areas:
- Community Outreach
- Youth Activities
- Special Mission Projects
- Addressing Community Food Insecurity
These grants are intended for new initiatives or for significant expansion of existing programs to serve new people. The Endowment Fund is particularly interested in proposals that involve partnerships with other faith communities and organizations in the community. In evaluating applications, the Endowment Committee will consider sustainability following the initial grant period where applicable.
The Endowment Committee will decline to fund building improvements, maintenance, or renovation, and congregational mission trips. In addition, while welcoming applications which involve project staffing, ongoing staff positions will not be considered.
Eligibility: Congregations, Conferences, and Campus Ministries of the SWMN Synod are invited to apply.
Grants Available: $500 – $7,500
Deadlines:
- July 1, 2024 - Application deadline
- August 15, 2024 - Applicants will be informed of approval or denial of their proposal, on or before this date. A Grant Acceptance Agreement will be sent to successful applicants.
- As soon as successful applicants return the signed agreement form, funds will be distributed.
- November 30, 2025 – Completion Reports must be submitted by this date. We encourage grantees to submit this report as soon as the project is completed.
For more information, please contact:
Rev. Dee Pederson, D. Min
Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod
Synod Office Phone: 507-637-3904
Direct Office Phone: 507-627-9048
Email: [email protected]