The Northern Illinois Conference is accepting Equitable Compensation applications for the final 2026 disbursement and for the 2027 grant cycle. Churches and charges with a full-time pastor experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to apply for assistance to help ensure equitable compensation for clergy across the conference.

Final 2026 Disbursement Applications: Deadline October 31

The minimum compensation threshold for 2026 is $46,669 for Elders and $42,868 for Licensed Local Pastors. Churches and charges needing assistance for the remainder of 2026 must submit an application by October 31, 2026.

Apply for 2026 Equitable Compensation

Grants will be announced before the end of the year, with a single payment made in December 2026. All payments will be issued through automated clearing house (ACH) transfers.

2027 Applications: Deadline November 30

The minimum compensation threshold for 2027 is $49,936 for Elders and $45,869 for Licensed Local Pastors. Churches and charges anticipating a need for assistance next year should submit an application by November 30, 2026.

Apply for 2027 Equitable Compensation

Grant recipients will be announced before the end of 2026, with a single payment made in January 2027 through ACH.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Equitable Compensation grants are awarded per clergy member, not per church. For multi-point charges, only one application is needed. Churches may generally receive assistance for no more than three consecutive years. Maximum awards are $4,000 for first-time recipients, $3,200 for the second year and $2,560 for the third year. Actual awards depend on the number of applicants and the committee’s review.

Before applying, churches must complete and sign the application, include the current year’s budget for each church in the application, and be current on apportionments.

The committee prioritizes churches paying at or below minimum salary and considers stewardship efforts, clergy cash salary, church-paid health insurance and accountable reimbursements when determining awards.

Questions can be directed to David W. Quinn.