Grace Shines Through Town and Rural Churches
Pastors and lay members from small-town and rural churches gathered at Grace UMC in Dixon for the annual Town and Rural Church Festival, themed “Glimpses of God’s Grace.” The event…
Find on this page ministry grants for churches and scholarships for students
Ministry Grants
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
Grants from two funds are distributed for rural ministry each year: the PACK (Planned Act of Christian Kindness) Grant and the Keagy Grant. These empower small-town and rural churches, outside of metropolitan and suburban areas, 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 Keagy Grant is 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 their 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 $5,000.
Recipients are requested to present their ministries at the Town and Rural Festival held in the 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.
Applications for 2026 awards are accepted beginning Jan. 2, 2026
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.
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.
Apply for a Social Reform Grant
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
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
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
Other UMC-Related Granting Organizations
Please visit each organization's site for the most up-to-date application deadlines.
United Methodist Committee on Relief
UMCOR, the United Methodist disaster relief organization, offers grants to churches, such as the Mustard Seed Migration Grants.
General Board of Church and Society
Church and Society awards grants to United Methodist congregations and groups related to The United Methodist Church through the Ethnic Local Church, Human Relations Day, and Peace with Justice programs.
General Commission on Religion and Race
The General Commission on Religion and Race Commission Action Funds grants upport initiatives that promote equity, intercultural competency, and justice within the church and broader communities.
Midwest Methodist Foundation
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: Sept. 30
For more information, contact Rev. Chris Walters.
Foundation for Evangelism
The Foundation for Evangelism'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.
Scholarships for Students
Education, particularly for those who struggle to afford it, has been a priority in Methodism since the Wesleys' days. The United Methodist Church continues this ministry in a variety of ways, including scholarships.
Following are some opportunities. Please visit each organization's site for the most up-to-date application deadlines.
United Methodist Scholarships
Administered by the UM General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, these scholarships offer financial aid to United Methodist students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Every year, an average of $4 million is awarded to help students in the U.S. and abroad pursue their dreams through higher education.
Students can also apply here for the General Board of Global Ministries Leadership Development and Scholarships Program and scholarships for international students.
United Methodist Higher Education Fund
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation helps make it financially possible for Methodist students to be educated at a United Methodist-related institution of higher education. They award $2+ million in scholarships annually.
Midwest Methodist Foundation
The foundation has two categories of scholarships and also manages a number of scholarships funded by donations and bequests.
- Uplifting Young Methodists Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to assist minority United Methodist students attend a non-profit trade school, community college, college, or university.
- United Methodist Dollars for Scholars: The United Methodist Dollars for Scholars program involves matching support from a student’s church, UMHEF, as well as participating United Methodist-related schools and UM foundations. Awards may total up to $4,000.
- The foundation also manages donated funds for permanent scholarship purposes. See the foundation's scholarships page for a few examples of these scholarships.
General Board of Archives and History
GCAH's Josephine Forman Scholarship provides financial support to minority students pursuing graduate education in archival science. Through this scholarship, the agency aims to encourage students to pursue a career as an archivist and to promote the diversification of the American archives profession. Successful applicants demonstrate excellent potential for scholastic and personal achievement and who manifest a commitment both to the archives profession and to advancing diversity concerns within it.
GCAH also awards funds for research projects.
From time to time, congregations and other organizations offer scholarships for United Methodist students. Watch the NIC eNews for announcements.
Don't forget to support World Communion Sunday, United Methodist Student Day, and the Black College Fund!