Northern Illinois Conference’s grants for churches provide financial and resource support for particular ministries undertaken by congregations and related organizations. Among these grants’ purposes are empowering churches to expand their ministries, address community needs, and strengthen their mission mindset. The ultimate goal is to enhance churches’ ability to fulfill their mission of making disciples and serving others, in accordance with United Methodist principles.

More than $100,000 was distributed in 2024 through the Creative Ministries, Social Reform, Volunteer in Mission, Accessibility, Keagy/Town & Rural, and Migrant Needs Assistance (2023 Bishop’s Appeal) grants. These enabled congregations to remain vibrant centers of worship and service in their communities and beyond. They align with our United Methodist values by fostering social justice, inclusivity, and community engagement.

The conference groups that oversee grants extend their heartfelt thanks to all the churches that faithfully contribute their apportionments. Our churches’ giving, when put together, sustains our shared mission and spreads hope.   

These churches are ready to act as God’s love for their neighbors. Your church can be considered for a grant by applying early this year. Applications for Keagy and PACK grants will be accepted in January and are due March 31. Most other grants receive applications in the fall. Learn more here. 

2024 Grant Recipients

Creative Ministry Grants

$16,000 distributed
1. Bensenville  
2. Cedarville
3. Chicago: South Shore
4. Des Plaines: Nuevo Amanecer
5. Des Plaines: First
6. Evanston: First
7. Forreston: First
8. Leaf River
9. Oregon  
10. Park Forest: Grace United Protestant  
11. Rochelle
12. Rockford: Aldersgate
13. Rockford: Beth Eden
14. Rockford: Grace
15. Waterman
16. West Chicago: New Hope

Accessibility Grants

$3,500 distributed
1. Aurora: Wesley
2. Chicago: Gorham

Volunteers in Mission Grants

$2,000 distributed
1. Chicago: First (Temple)
2. Dixon: Grace

Social Reform Grants

$5,000 distributed
1. Chicago: Broadway
2. Evanston: First
3. Glencoe: North Shore, and Pan-African Rural Health and Social Services
4.  Morrison      
5.  Pecatonica

Migrant Assistance Grants

$36,500 distributed (learn more here)
1. Aurora: Nueva Vida
2. Blue Island: La Gracia de Dios
3. Care for Real  
4. Chicago: Chicago Lawn
5. Chicago: Granville  
6. Chicago: Humboldt Park
7. Chicago: Lincoln  
8. Chicago: Redeemer of Calvary
9. Chicago: South Shore
10. Franklin Park
11. Hinsdale  
12. Kids Above All
13. Mt. Prospect: Trinity
14. Naperville: Wheatland Salem
15. Oak Lawn: First
16. Park Ridge: First
17. Rockford: Victory New Faith Community

Keagy/Town & Rural Grants

$44,750 distributed (learn more here)
1. Apple River UMC
2. Ashton UMC
3. Brookeville UMC
4. Cedarville UMC
5. Creston UMC
6. Dixon: Grace UMC
7. Durand UMC
8. Elizabeth UMC
9. Esmond UMC
10. La Salle: Grace
11. Leland UMC
12. Lena UMC
13. Mendota: First UMC
14. Morris: First UMC
15. Norway UMC
16. Orangeville UMC
17. Oregon UMC
18. Pearl City UMC
19. Prophetstown UMC
20. Rochelle UMC
21. Savanna: First UMC
22. Scales Mound UMC
23. Shannon: Bethel UMC
24. Sterling: First UMC
25. Sterling: Wesley UMC
26. Stockton: Wesley UMC
27. Tampico UMC