Planting Seeds of Change: Empowering Communities Through Gardens and Sustainability
The Northern Illinois Conference’s HEAL Well initiative addresses food insecurity and environmental sustainability by uniting faith communiti…
Conference committees and related organizations offer Northern Illinois churches and affiliated organizations the grants listed below.
PACK Grant and Keagy Grant for Rural and Small-Town Churches
The Northern Illinois Conference awards two grants for rural ministry each year — the PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) Grant and the Keagy Grant — to empower small-town and rural churches in their community outreach.
The PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) Grant is meant to support churches' work to be a blessing to those in the neighboring community to show them the love of Jesus Christ. Awards range from $100 to $500.
The grant deadline for 2025 is closed.
The Keagy Grant are funded by a bequest from Martin Keagy, who had a big heart for small-town and rural churches. These grants are for larger ministry projects that benefit the community and strengthen the church through evangelism, discipleship, justice, and compassion. This fund has been awarding grants for over 50 years. Awards range from $500 to $5000.
The grant deadline for 2025 is closed.
Recipients are requested to present their ministries at the Town and Rural Festival held in fall so that churches can share what God did through them and encourage one another.
For more information about these two grants, contact Rev. Libby Rutherford, chair of the Keagy/Town and Rural Committee.
Deadline to apply for PACK or Keagy Grant: March 31
Creative Ministries Grant
The Creative Ministries Grant, coordinated by the program ministry members of the Annual Conference Shepherding Team, aims to encourage creative, collaborative ministry programs throughout the conference. The grants support new, risk-taking initiatives to impact your community and fulfill the mission of the church for the transformation of the world. This grant is designed to encourage experimentation, so "success" is not a necessary result. The intention is to free your church to explore new ways for your community to learn and be transformed in mission and ministry.
Apply for a Creative Ministries Grant
Awards range from $500 to $1,000.
For more information, contact Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer, NIC Director of Connectional Ministries.
Deadline to apply for Creative Ministries Grant: May 15
Social Reform Grant
The Social Reform Grant, coordinated by the Conference Board on Church and Society, aims to provide financial empowerment to churches that have a passion and propose a plan for addressing a specific social justice-related concern. These funds can be used for both domestic and international social-justice work and must address the root causes of the injustice while extending God’s grace and mercy to all people. Primary consideration will be given to applicants that build partnerships among different ministries.
Grants range from $500 to $1,000.
For more information, contact Rev Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, NIC Board of Church and Society chair.
Deadline to apply for Social Reform Grant: Oct. 30
2024 submission window has closed.
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Grant
This grant provides financial support for Northern Illinois Conference districts and local churches with a passion and plan for organizing, funding and leading youth and/or adult Mission Journey teams.
For more information, contact Kris Aves or Rev. Larry Dunlap-Berg.
Grants are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no deadline.
UM Volunteers in Mission Grant Application
Mustard Seed Migration Grants
The Mustard Seed Migration Grant program is designed to encourage local United Methodist churches to engage in ministry to migrants in their midst. UMCOR will award grants of $2,000 USD to up to 100 United Methodist local churches in the U.S. to engage in new, one-time community-based service projects and ministries focused on migrants and refugees.
Learn more on the UMC Global Ministries website
GCORR Action Fund Grants
The General Commission on Religion and Race funding opportunity supports initiatives that promote equity, intercultural competency, and justice within the church and broader communities. GCORR seeks proposals that address the realities of immigration. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for projects lasting up to 12 months.
Learn more on the GCORR website
Accessibility Grant
The Northern Illinois Conference Accessibility Committee awards small grants to churches working to make their buildings, worship services, and ministries more accessible. Complete the application linked below to share your project and funding needs, and we'll be in touch with you about available resources.
Grants are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no deadline.
For more information, contact Christina Crusius or Alexander Dungan.
Accessibility Grant Application
Midwest Methodist Foundation Grant
The foundation’s grants program annually offers funding up to $2,000 to local churches and church-related organizations as they develop new or expanded creative ministries.
Deadline: September 30
For more information, contact Rev. Chris Walters.
Learn more on the Midwest Methodist Foundation web site
Foundation for Evangelism
The Foundation for Evangelism is a Methodist-related grant-making organization located at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. The foundation's grants are given to be a catalyst to equip disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. They focus on three specific areas: Raising Up Gospel Leaders, Engaging the Ministry of the Laity, and Equipping the Local Church.
Deadline: February 29, 2025